I get many visitors to my website for various reasons, many of whom ask how to get a real estate license in Florida. I guess one of the reasons I get so many inquiries is that I hire new agents with little or no experience for my team.
Since the requirements vary for non-Florida residents, I will only discuss those that apply to Florida residents.
Those interested in obtaining a real estate license should consider not only the time invested to obtain a license, but also the initial and ongoing expenses that are incurred when obtaining the license as an agent.
The requirements
While obtaining a Florida real estate license is not too complicated, it is regulated by the Florida Division of Real Estate and there are specific requirements.
These are the general requirements to obtain a Florida license:
- You must be at least 18 years old.
- Have a high school diploma or GED
- Complete and pass the state approved 63-hour sales associate pre-license course
- Submit the application to the Division of Real Estate with the appropriate fee.
- Pass the state exam
There are some exceptions to the above requirements:
- If you are an attorney with a valid Florida attorney card
- If you have a 4-year degree in Real Estate
Additionally, there is also a requirement that you have your fingerprints taken and a background check done prior to taking the Florida exam.
Initial expenses and types of courses
Enrolling in the 63-hour Sales Associate Pre-License course is pretty easy. You can enroll in an instructor-led course or, if you prefer, you can take the course online.
A quick internet search will help you find both types of courses.
While the above may be the actual minimum requirements, there are expenses associated with obtaining a Florida real estate license that include:
- Career fee
- Exam fee
- License fees
- Digital printing fee
- Travel expenses as needed
Both types of courses have advantages and disadvantages.
The benefits of attending an instructor-led course include having an instructor available to whom questions can be directed immediately. There are also benefits of student participation, as well as having a formal classroom experience.
The drawbacks of an instructor-led course are primarily the schedule. Not only must you attend all classes, but you must locate a course near you or be prepared to travel and incur additional expenses.
The benefits of the online course include being able to take the class at your leisure and study at your own pace. Since the online courses are timed, you can easily study a chapter at your own pace until you have completed all the chapters and met the 63-hour requirement.
The drawbacks of online courses tend to be the lack of interaction with an instructor. Having someone available to direct questions, such as a licensed broker or agent, will help those who choose this option.
Whichever course of instruction is chosen, there is a mandatory exam at the end that must be passed in order to take the actual Florida exam.
The Florida exam is administered at specific, certified locations that the instructor or online course will direct you to.
Once you have submitted the application, passed the course, have been fingerprinted, and passed the state exam, you will be issued a license number at the test center.
Once you have that license, all that is left is to find a Broker where you can “hang” your license.
Additional costs
Having a Florida real estate license is not the end of your expenses. Once you have a real estate license, there are ongoing expenses that need to be considered and budgeted for:
- Continuing education requirements
- Fees of the local board of real estate agents,
- Possible ongoing broker fees
- License renewal fees and more.
As you can see, obtaining a Florida real estate license, while not too difficult or complicated, is a regulated process.
It is true that almost anyone can obtain a real estate license; however, there are important considerations and expenses that must be understood before taking the first step toward obtaining a Florida real estate license.
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