How to Obtain a Florida Real Estate License
Before You Begin
An applicant for a Florida Real Estate License must fulfill all of these requirements:
- be at least 18 years old
- hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
- have a Social Security Number (if you do not have one, click here and select "SSN" to learn how to apply for one)
- Broker License applicants must have held an active real estate license in any state for at least 2 out of the previous 5 years.
Florida residency is not required.
Application approval generally takes 10-30 days.
The steps outlined below will tell you how to get a Florida Real Estate License.
Step 1: Register for Class
The Sales Associate Pre-License Course is required if you have not previously had a real estate license. The Broker Pre-License Course is required if are already licensed as a Sales Associate, have at least 2 years of experience, and wish to upgrade to the Florida Broker License.
63 Hour Sales Associate Pre-License Course
- $479 tuition for the Classroom Course.
- $399 tuition for the Instructor-Led Online Course.
- $249 tuition for the Self-Study Online Course.
72 Hour Broker Pre-License Course
- $579 tuition for the Classroom Course.
- $499 tuition for the Instructor-Led Online Course.
- $349 tuition for the Self-Study Online Course.
Mutual Recognition is available in Florida if you are currently licensed in one of the ten (10) recognized states.
Step 2: Submit State Application
You can submit your license application to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation before completing your class. We recommend that you do so, because the DBPR may take 10 to 30 days to process your application.
On the application you will share information about yourself and include a fee of $39.37 ($43 for broker applicants) payable to the DBPR. You can apply online or print a paper application.
Step 3: Register for Electronic Fingerprinting
Florida requires fingerprints be taken in order to run a criminal background check.
In Florida
If you are in Florida, either permanently or visiting, you may get your fingerprints taken electronically through a Florida approved live scan vendor. Fingerprint reservations can be made online or by phone:
- To make a reservation online, go to the IdentoGO website (formerly PearsonVUE), and complete the following steps in order:
- Choose "Schedule a New Appointment."
- Choose "Department of Business and Professional Regulation" as the Agency Name.
- Choose "DBPR - Real Estate Sales and Brokers" as the ORI Number.
- Enter your zip code.
- Select a location, date and time.
- Complete your personal information and submit payment.
- To make reservation by phone, contact the customer support center at 877-238-8232 to select a date and time that is convenient for you.
Cost of fingerprinting is $58.02.
You will be notified by email when your application has been approved (generally 10 to 30 days). This approval allows you to schedule the state exam. View Step 5 below for how to schedule.
If you are in Naples, Florida, the closest provider is Fieldprint, located right next door to our classroom facility at Cecil's Copy Express. Make a reservation online or call 877-614-4364. The cost is $55.
Outside of Florida
If you are not in Florida, request that a Division of Real Estate Sales Associate/Broker fingerprint card be mailed to you. A fingerprint card may be obtained from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation by contacting the Customer Contact Center at 850-487-1395.
If you are asked for the "ORI" number at any time during the fingerprint process, use FL920010Z. This is how the fingerprinting company knows your fingerprints are for the Florida Real Estate License.
Step 4: Attend Class
You must complete an approved pre-license course before taking the state exam. To complete the course, you must pass a course exam by correctly answering at least 70 of the 100 questions.
If you pass the course exam, you will receive a Course Completion Certificate, which is valid for two years from the date of issuance.
If you fail the course exam, you will have to wait 30 days before retesting. If you fail a second time, Florida state law requires you to repeat the entire course before retesting.
Your course enrollment is valid for one year from the date you purchased it, or until you pass the course exam.
Step 5: Pass the State License Exam
Once approved for the state exam, you will receive an “Authorization to Test” email notification from Pearson VUE that you are able to test. In this email, you are provided with a Candidate ID/FLREAPP number. You will use this 9-digit Candidate ID number when registering for the state exam with Pearson VUE.
You can register online or by calling 888-204-6289. The state exam fee is $57.75.
To pass the state exam, you must correctly answer at least 75 of the 100 questions. We highly recommend taking one of our License Exam Preparation Courses after attending the required Pre-Licensing Course but before taking the state exam.
Your exam approval status is valid for two years from the approval date.
Step 6: Activate Your License
Your new license will be inactive until it is activated by a Florida licensed real estate broker or owner/developer.
The broker can go to www.myfloridalicense.com on the sole proprietor personal account or the corporate account, whichever applies. Alternatively, the broker can print and submit the Change of Status for Sales Associates and Broker Sales Associates form (Form # DBPR RE 11).
Summary of Costs
FOR SALES ASSOCIATES
- Complete the 63 Hour Pre-License Course
- $479 for Classroom
- $399 for Instructor-Led Online or
- $249 for Self-Study Online
- Submit State Application
- Application Fee - $39.37
- Register for Electronic Fingerprinting
- Pearson VUE Fingerprint Fee - $58.02
- Schedule State Exam
- Pearson VUE Exam Fee - $57.75
The total cost to obtain a Florida Real Estate SALES ASSOCIATE License is:
- $634.14 when attending the Classroom Course
- $554.14 when completing the Instructor-Led Online Course
- $404.14 when completing the Self-Study Online Course
FOR BROKERS
- Complete the 72 Hour Pre-License Course
- $579 for Classroom
- $499 for Instructor-Led Online or
- $349 for Self-Study Online
- Submit State Application
- Application Fee - $43
- Register for Electronic Fingerprinting
- Pearson VUE Fingerprint Fee - $58.02
- Schedule State Exam
- Pearson VUE Exam Fee - $57.75
The total cost to obtain a Florida Real Estate BROKER License is:
- $737.77 when attending the Classroom Course
- $657.77 when completing the Instructor-Led Online Course
- $507.77 when completing the Self-Study Online Course
Are you interested in learning about real estate brokers who are hiring in SW Florida? Check out our Broker Connection Page for more information about brokers looking for newly licensed real estate professionals.