Are you trying to figure out how to get a real estate license in Florida? Here is everything you need to know to start your new career
Getting your real estate license in Florida may seem daunting. However, when broken down, the process is actually fairly simple. Not only that, but you can also get your license within a few months.
Doing so will start you on a career path that can not only be lucrative—but also personally and professionally fulfilling.
In this article, we will provide you with the basics of how to get your real estate license in Florida. This includes a step-by-step breakdown of the process, the costs, and why you will be happy you did. Here is everything you need to know about how to get your real estate license in Florida.
First steps to get a real estate license in Florida
To get your real estate license in Florida, you must:
- follow the guidelines of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)
- apply through the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR)
The prerequisites to getting your real estate license in Florida are as follows:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must have a United States Social Security number
- Must hold a high school diploma or have your GED
The FREC requires you to complete five steps to receive a Real Estate Salesperson License in Florida:
- Completing 63 hours of approved education
- Passing the course final exam
- Submitting fingerprints
- Completing the licensing application
- Passing the Florida real estate exam
To give you a better idea of how to get your real estate license in Florida, let’s look at each of the steps more closely. (If you need a quick overview before we dive in, read our guide on how to get into real estate.)
1. Completing 63 hours of approved education
The first step to getting your real estate license in Florida is successfully completing the 63-hour Florida pre-license course. The pre-license course covers what you need to become a sales associate and everything you need to know to pass the licensing exam.
Some of the topics you can expect include the following:
- Agency relationships
- Financing options and mortgages
- Foundations of the real estate business
- How to remain compliant with federal and state laws
- Real estate regulations and statutes
- Real property laws
2. Passing the course final exam
You have successfully completed the 63-hour course. Next, you must meet the FREC’s minimum course time requirement and pass the unit exams. You must pass the course final exam with a minimum score of 70%.
If you fail the exam, you can retest once within the same year as the original exam.
If you fail multiple times, you must retake the whole course before you can retake the course final exam.
3. Submitting fingerprints
After you have successfully completed your course final exam, you must submit fingerprints to the DBPR. Do this at least five days before you submit your real estate license application.
4. Completing the license application
The next step to getting your real estate license in Florida is applying for a license with the Florida DBPR. After your license application is approved, you will receive a notice from the Florida DBPR with an attached RE Application ID number.
5. Passing the Florida real estate exam
The final step in the process is passing both the state and federal portions of the Florida salesperson license exam.
To schedule your Florida real estate exam, you can visit Pearson VUE online. Once you pass the exam—congratulations! You have earned your real estate license in Florida.
How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Florida?
It can take anywhere from 2 to 5 months on average to become a real estate agent in Florida. Some students may be able to successfully complete the required 63-hour pre-license course in just a few weeks. Other students, meanwhile, might take several months. It all depends on the amount of time you have to spend on the course.
After you finish the required class, you should then plan to spend an extra 1 to 2 months finding a sponsoring broker. You should also go through the license application process and pass the Florida real estate exam.
How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Florida?
Starting your career in real estate can be lucrative. However, it is crucial that you are aware of the costs and expenses that come with getting and maintaining your real estate license in Florida.
In 2023, the cost of getting a real estate license in Florida ranged from $399.50 to $699.50. The difference depends on how much your pre-licensing course costs. Plus, if you need to retake the real estate license exam, that costs $36.75 per attempt.
The $300 price range difference already mentioned does not include the electronic fingerprinting fee, which usually costs between $40 and $80, depending on the provider. The price range also excludes any additional local and state taxes and the cost of brokerage fees.
Here is a breakdown of the general costs to getting your real estate license in Florida:
How to get real estate license in Florida: cost to maintain license
To get your real estate license in Florida, you not only have to pay these upfront fees, but you also have to pay costs to maintain your license. Let’s take a look at the costs of maintaining your real estate license in Florida.
- Continuing education fees
- Florida real estate license renewal fee
- Additional ongoing costs
Here is a brief breakdown of each, so that you know what to expect.
Continuing education fees
After you have earned your Florida real estate license, you must maintain it. One way you must maintain your license is by completing continuing education requirements. This is required every two years. The cost for these courses is typically between $20 and $50.
Florida real estate license renewal fee
Next, you must pay the Florida real estate license renewal fee. This step/fee assumes that you have already met the renewal requirements. To learn more about the cost to renew your license in 2023, you can visit the DBPR website.
Additional ongoing costs
Remember: these costs are just the beginning. If you have earned your real estate license in Florida—and plan to become a real estate agent—you must also budget for other expenses. These additional ongoing costs include a budget for transportation, marketing, and other business expenses.
Keep in mind that this initial investment might feel substantial—because it is. With focus, discipline, and consistency, however, a career in real estate can be financially rewarding.
If you're exploring options on the west coast, check out our article on getting a real estate license in California.
Is the Florida real estate exam hard?
Paying attention and memorizing all of the information for your Florida real estate exam is crucial. This is true whether you take the course offline or online. According to the DBPR, just 47% of people who take the exam for the first time pass the test.
The Florida real estate exam consists of 100 questions, and you are given 3 ½ hours to complete it. To pass the test, you must answer at least 75% of the questions correctly.
Florida’s real estate exam is notoriously difficult. Most of the people who failed to pass the test on their first try reported they had not studied hard enough. They also reported they had not taken enough practice tests to be adequately prepared.
A good way to learn how difficult the questions are is taking the real estate pre-licensing course. It also gives you a good idea of the different concepts you will need to know about. Here is a glimpse of the subject areas the test covers:
- Appraisal
- Fair housing rules
- Fiduciary duties
- Forms of ownership
- Property conveyance types
- Property rights and estates
- Real estate calculations
- Taxes
- Titles and deeds
Getting a real estate license in Florida is possible
When figuring out how to get your real estate license in Florida, it is important to understand the licensing requirements. It is also a good idea to follow a checklist so that you can be successful from the start. There are many benefits to a career in real estate. There’s the salary and, more importantly, the personal and professional fulfillment you will feel in helping others land their dream home.
Remember: the more knowledge you have, the better off you will be.
For help on how to get your real estate license in Florida, get in touch with one of the mortgage professionals we highlight in our Best of Mortgage section. Here you will find the top performing mortgage professionals across the USA.
Did you find these tips on how to get a real estate license in Florida useful? What part of the profession are you most looking forward to? Let us know in the comment section below.
