How to Become a Licensed Real Estate Agent in Florida

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: December 2, 2022 References Approved

Real estate is a great career if you'd love to help people find the home of their dreams. The first step to becoming a real estate agent in Florida is taking an approved pre-licensing education course. After that, you're qualified to take the official licensing test and, if you pass, sign on for employment with a real estate broker. As long as you periodically renew your license and take all necessary post-licensing education courses, you'll be all set to work as a real estate agent in Florida!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Completing Your Training

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Earn your high school diploma. To become a licensed real estate agent in Florida, you need to graduate from high school. If you're older than the traditional high school student but need to meet this requirement, pass the General Education Development (GED) test as an alternative.^{[1]
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- You must also be at least 18 years old to earn your license.^{[2]
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- To prepare for a real estate career in high school, take advantage of math classes, particularly statistics.
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Take a pre-license sales education course. Before you can take the real estate licensing exam, you must complete a 63-hour pre-licensing class approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). A completed course is valid for up to 2 years after completion, so make sure your course has not expired before submitting your application.
- Access the official list of approved pre-license courses here: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/servop/testing/documents/frec_slpre_prov.pdf?x40199
- If you have a physical disability, you may qualify for an alternative course if you're unable to attend the class in person. Contact the Division of Real Estate in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for more information: http://www.myfloridalicense.com/DBPR/
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Major in real estate as an alternative. If you complete a bachelor's degree in real estate, you are exempt from taking both the sales associate and broker license tests. Choose this option if you're planning to get a college degree and want additional training for your real estate career.^{[3]
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- Receiving a college degree is completely optional. Many real estate agents complete their education with their high school diploma.
- You do not need to receive your degree from a Florida college. Any accredited U.S. college degree fills this requirement.
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Take the test immediately if you are a practicing lawyer. Any attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar qualifies to take the licensing exam. If you're a lawyer, skip the pre-licensing class and include a copy of your current Bar card in your application.
- If you pass the licensing exam, you'll still need to take post-licensing courses before you can renew it later on.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Earning Your License

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Submit your licensing application online. You will need to include information about your educational history, your professional background, and your identity (including your social security number). Once you've completed the application, submit it and pay the corresponding fee. Your application can take between 3-6 weeks to process, so submit your application at least 6 weeks before you plan to take the test.^{[4]
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- You can submit your application by making an account on My Florida License: https://www.myfloridalicense.com
- If you prefer, you can download a printable application from this link and mail it to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR): https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&SID=&boardid=25&professionid=25A
- You will need to pay a fee of $89 USD to submit your application.^{[5]
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Get a background check and order electronic fingerprinting. Along with your application, you must also submit a background check and electronic fingerprints from a Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE)-approved Livescan vendor. Submit your background check and fingerprints to the DBPR at least 5 days before you submit your application.^{[6]
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- You can find a list of FDLE-approved vendors here: https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/agents/licensure/agents-adjusters/fingerprinting.htm
- Once you've chosen a vendor, contact their company directly to order a background check and electronic fingerprints.
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Bring 2 forms of identification and your course certification to your exam. Once you've signed up for an exam date, you will need to bring 2 forms of identification with your signature. At least 1 of the IDs must have a photo. You will also need your course certification from your pre-license education class, so plan ahead and prepare both to bring to the testing center.
- The licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE. To sign up for an exam date, visit their website and enter "Florida Real Estate" into the program search engine: https://home.pearsonvue.com/
- Bring any of the following state-issued IDs to your exam: your driver's license, U.S. passport, alien registration card, military ID, or state identification card.^{[7]
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- Real estate licensing tests are usually offered weekly or monthly.
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Pass the licensing exam with at least a 75% grade. The official Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions on the following subjects: Florida and Federal Laws, Real Estate Principles and Practices, and Real Estate-Based Math Equations. To earn your license, you must pass the official exam with a grade of at least 75 out of 100.^{[8]
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- The fee to take the exam is $105 USD. Veterans and spouses of veterans are, however, eligible for a fee waiver.
- If you do not pass the exam and need to schedule a retake, you must wait at least 24 hours before scheduling a new exam time. There is no limit to how many times you can take the test.
- You should be able to see your results immediately after taking the test.
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Apply for work as a real estate associate. If you've passed the licensing test, you must become employed before you officially have a license. Look for licensed real estate brokers in your area who are hiring and apply for jobs under their brokerage.^{[9]
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- Most real estate agents are paid on commission. Ask your potential broker how they plan to split the profits from each sale before you sign on with their brokerage.
- If you're not sure how to tell if a profit split is good or bad, ask an established real estate associate for advice.
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Activate your license with your broker. Once you've passed the exam, ask your new employer to submit a DBPR RE 11 form under their name. This will confirm that they have sponsored you as an employee and officially activate your license.^{[10]
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- Your employer will submit this form to the Division of Real Estate in the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Pursuing Further Training and Maintaining Your License

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Take a 45-hour post-licensing course before you renew your license. All real estate agents must take a post-licensing course approved by the FREC before they can renew their license. Check the expiration date on your license and plan to take the course in advance to prevent any renewal delays.

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- You'll need to renew your license every 2 years to maintain it.^{[11]
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- Take this course at least 6 months before you plan to renew your license.
- Contact the FREC to find valid post-licensing courses offered in your area. You can contact a local chapter online via the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulations.
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Renew your license online or by phone. Once you've completed your post-licensing course and need to renew your license, apply for renewal on the DBPR website or by calling. You will need to affirm that you have taken the required course and pay a fee of $65 USD.
- The DBPR phone number for license renewal is: (850) 487-1395
- If you renew your license past the expiration date, you'll need to pay a $45 USD late fee.
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Apply for a broker license. To become a real estate broker, complete 24 months of real estate experience within at least a 5-year period. You must also hold a current real estate sales associate license. Send an application to the DBPR and pass the official broker licensing test to meet the broker requirements in Florida.^{[12]
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- You can read more about the broker license application here: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/intentions2.asp?chBoard=true&SID=&boardid=25&professionid=25B
- Potential brokers must also pass a 72 hour pre-licensing course approved by the FREC.
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Become a real estate instructor. If you want to teach education courses at a college, technical school, or real estate school, earn a bachelor's degree in real estate or a business-related major (like accounting, finance, or business administration). Once you pass an instructor's exam approved by the FREC and submit an application to the DBPR, you will be qualified to teach real estate courses in Florida.^{[13]
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- You can read more about the real estate instructor application here: https://www.myfloridalicense.com/CheckListDetail.asp?SID=&xactCode=1010&clientCode=2505&XACT_DEFN_ID=301

Community Q&A

Question

How long does it take to complete the required classes?

Community Answer

63 hours for pre-license, 45 hours for post-licensing, and 72 hours for broker license.
Question

Can you get the courses online?

Community Answer

Yes. Google can help you find an accredited online course. They must include 63 hours of study, a FL requirement.
Question

Can a person who has a felony get a real estate license?

Community Answer

Not necessarily. A person with a felony can still get a real estate license, but you have to be honest about your status or your application will be denied.