State of Florida Real Estate License Requirements
Florida Real Estate Requirements
Article Summary: This article contains helpful information for anyone who is interested in knowing the requirements to earn a real estate license in Florida. There are details below including the regulating Commission, necessary education, examination, renewal requirements, and more.
In the state of Florida, The Real Estate Commission (FREC) is responsible for overseeing the real estate license law. The seven members of the Commission, appointed by the Governor, administer and enforce the laws in order to protect the public. Their responsibilities also include overseeing the education and regulation of all Real Estate licenses within the state.
Like several other states, Florida requires someone to be at least 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED to qualify for a real estate license. The FREC also must have received a clean background check and fingerprint scan before issuing a Florida real estate salesperson license.
Florida Real Estate License Requirements
Becoming a licensed realtor in Florida is a process, but it’s not difficult. The state requires all people interested in becoming licensed realtor to take educational courses, pass an exam, pass a state licensing exam, and pay a fee. No realtor in Florida can open his or her own office until they are a broker, which requires the real estate agent to wait a specific length of time and take secondary class and exam. Before you do any of that, you must be at least 18 and a valid Social Security Number.
Please note that these requirements can change, so it’s a good idea to check the official Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Age | Must be at least 18 years old. |
Citizenship | Must be a U.S. citizen, a lawfully admitted alien, or have a valid work permit. |
High School Diploma | Must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. |
Pre-license Education | Must complete 63 hours of approved pre-license education. |
Exam | Must pass the Florida state real estate exam. |
Fingerprinting | Must submit fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. |
For Broker License Requirements in Florida:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Experience | Must have been actively licensed as a salesperson for at least 24 months during the previous 5 years. |
Education | Must complete 72 hours of approved broker pre-license education. |
Exam | Must pass the Florida Broker State Exam. |
Continuing Education Requirements in Florida:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Hours | Must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years. |
Post-Licensing Requirements in Florida:
Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
Post-License Education | New agents must complete a 45-hour post-license course before their initial sales associate license expires. |
There are both pre-license and post-license hours necessary when it comes to the FREC regulations. An applicant must satisfy 63 hours of coursework for approved pre-licensing education. The education focuses on real estate laws, principles and practice, and real estate math which can be taken online or in a classroom. An exam at the end of the course that must be passed with a score of at least 70 percent. After someone has acquired their license during the renewal period before the license is set to expire, there are also 45-hours of post-education. The exemption can be provided for the post-license education with someone with a 4-year degree, or higher, in real estate.
In order to apply and take the Florida real estate exam, fingerprints, an application, and a fee of $83.85 is required to be sent to The Department of Business and Professional Regulations. (DBPR). After an application is reviewed, the Pearson VUE company notifies an applicant via email and oversees the state exam process in a variety of formats and locations. When it comes to the Florida real estate license exam, a grade of at least 75 or higher is necessary to pass it. An initial license is valid for 18-35 months depending on when the exam is passed. For FL, a license has to be affiliated with a licensed broker with the appropriate forms filled out to be considered active.
For a Broker License applicant, FL residency is not required. Although it is required for a person to have an active real estate license in any state for at least 2 out of the previous 5 years. There are 72 hours of broker pre-license courses required. The Florida Real Estate Broker Examination must be passed with a grade of 75 or higher. One must also complete a 60-hour FREC-approved post licensing course for brokers before the initial license first expires.
Both Salesperson’s and Brokers are required to complete 14 credit hours of FREC-approved continuing education for each license renewal cycle. The renewal cycle is between 18 and 24 months after someone receives their initial Florida Real Estate License or Broker License. More information on renewal dates and fees can be found on the FREC’s website.
Pre-Licensing Course
The first step to becoming a licensed real estate agent in Florida is to take an approved pre-licensing course. All courses approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission are listed online, and they consist of a 63-hours in the classroom. These courses can be taken online, too. You can take the class now and use it for two years following the date you pass the class exam before you take your state license test. The fee for this class varies depending on where you take the class, how you take it, and what you choose to add in terms of books and supplies.
Application Requirements
Once you enroll in your class, you have to begin the Florida license application process. The application is available on the FREC website. To complete the application, you have to fill out all the information correctly and honestly. You have to pay to have your fingerprints electronically submitted to the state, and you must pay the fee associated with your state license. The application fee in Florida is $83.75, and the fingerprinting fee is $53.50.
Sales Examination
All students who pass their real estate pre-licensing course have to become licensed by the state. The state exam is available all over the state in proctored settings, and you can find those on the FREC website. You must pass the test with a 75 or higher. If you don’t, you can take the test again every 30 days until you pass. It costs $36.75 each time you take this test.
Activate Your License
Now that you’ve passed your state exam, you have to activate your brand new license. This requires submitting a DBPR RE 11-Become Active – Sales Associate form. Once it’s approved, you are ready to begin selling houses in Florida.
To keep your license active, you must complete post-licensing courses every two years. These classes consist of 45-hours you can take in person or online. They must be completed and passed by the time your license expires every two years.
Disclosure:: Please be aware that these requirements change from time to time, we do our best to monitor the changes but it is always best to go to the source to confirm the requirements!
