florida carolina licensing guide
How to Get Your Real Estate License in Florida
Your complete step-by-step guide to becoming a licensed real estate professional in the Sunshine State. From education requirements to exam preparation, we'll walk you through everything you need to know.
Licensing Timeframe
2 TO 4 MONTHS
STEP
1
Meet Basic
Requirements
STEP
4
Apply to
DBPR
STEP
2
63-Hour
Course
STEP
5
Pass State
Exam
STEP
3
Background
Check
STEP
6
Activate
License
Your Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these proven steps to become a licensed real estate professional in Florida
1
Meet Basic Requirements
Before starting your real estate education, ensure you meet Florida's basic eligibility requirements.
Age Requirement
Must be at least 18 years old
U.S. Citizen or Legal Resident
Valid Social Security Number required
Education
High school diploma or GED
No Residency Requirement
You do not have to be a Florida resident to apply
2
Complete 63-Hour Pre-Licensing Course
Enroll in and complete a Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) approved 63-hour Sales Associate Pre-Licensing course. After completing your coursework, you must pass the school's final examination with a score of 70% or higher.
3
Submit Fingerprints & Background Check
Complete your fingerprinting and background check through an approved vendor. This is required before you can sit for the state exam.
Finding an IdentoGO Location
Click for more details
Digital fingerprints can be taken at any authorized location.
Visit fl.state.identogo.com or call (800) 528-1358.
ORI number
Provide ORI number FL920010Z
Criminal History Review
If you have a criminal history, your application will be reviewed on its own merit to determine if the good moral character requirement has been met.
4
Submit Your Application to the DBPR
You can submit your application before or after taking your pre-licensing course, but your application must be approved before you can schedule the state exam.
Where to Apply
Click for more details
Submit your application online at MyFloridaLicense.com.
Look for "Sales Associate Initial Application(Form RE 1)."
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5
Apply for State Exam, Prepare & Pass
Once your background check is approved, you'll receive your approval confirmation and candidate ID number (FLREAPP ID) by email. You can then schedule your Florida real estate sales associate exam through Pearson VUE, which manages and oversees all state real estate license tests.
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6
Activate Your License
Congratulations, you passed! However, your license will technically be "inactive" the moment it is issued. To practice real estate legally, you must activate it.
Find a Broker
In Florida, a Sales Associate must work under the supervision of a licensed Real Estate Broker. You cannot work independently.
Activation
Click for more details
Once you choose a brokerage, your new broker will submit a form (DBPR RE 11) or add you to their roster online to activate your license.
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Ready to Start Your Real Estate Career?
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30-Day Trial
Full access trial option with zero commitment. Cancel anytime, no questions asked.
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100% Pass Guarantee
We're so confident in our program, we guarantee you'll pass or your money back.
Expert Support
Our instructors are available 7 days a week to support you throughout your journey.
Cost Breakdown: What to Expect
Here's a detailed breakdown of all costs associated with getting your Florida real estate license
Total Estimated Cost
All required fees to get licensed
~$270 – $690
Depending on course selection
Pre-Licensing Course
FREC-approved education
$100 – $500
Background Check
Approved vendor
$50 – $80
Application
Initial license registration
$83.75
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State Examination
Paid to Pearson VUE
$36.75
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about getting licensed and advancing your real estate career
It typically takes between 2 to 6 weeks to get a Florida real estate license. The fastest route is completing a self-paced, online 63-hour pre-licensing course. Once finished, you will experience a brief waiting period (usually 10 to 30 days) while the DBPR processes your background check and approves your application to sit for the state exam.
Florida does not offer broad reciprocity, but it does have "Mutual Recognition" agreements with 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Nonresident agents licensed in these states can bypass the 63-hour course and only need to pass a 40-question Florida real estate law exam.
No, you do not have to be a resident of Florida to obtain a Florida real estate license. Florida law allows out-of-state residents to apply and hold a license, provided they meet all the basic educational and testing requirements and possess a valid U.S. Social Security number.
Yes, it is possible to get a Florida real estate license with a criminal record, but approval is not guaranteed. The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) reviews all applications on a case-by-case basis. You must fully disclose all past criminal history on your DBPR application and provide the required supporting court documents for their review.
