Are you ready to become a real estate agent in Florida? Getting your real estate license is a relatively simple process, and we’ve broken down each step to make it even easier. Follow our guide and you’ll be selling homes in sunny Miami, Orlando, Tampa or other major markets in just a few months. 

It’s no surprise that Florida boasts one of the strongest housing markets in the country. Why not take advantage of the boom and learn how to become a real estate agent in Florida yourself? Let’s get started!

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

Infographic: Quick Facts - Steps Showing How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

The state of Florida requires those seeking a Real Estate Sales Associate designation to:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Have a Social Security number
  • Have a high school diploma

If you checked all three boxes above, you are ready to take the first step toward a career in real estate. But if you want to learn more about where the industry is heading, check out Pinnacle Realty Advisors’ e-book containing the brokerage’s 2023 predictions for real estate. This educational report is chock full of historical data and trend charts to give you insight into the changing market you’ll be diving into.

Download Pinnacle’s 2023 Predictions For Realtors

Ready to learn how to become a real estate agent in Florida? Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

1. Complete a 63-Hour Prelicensing Course

Cost: $100 – $500
Time Commitment: 1 month

Your first step in becoming a real estate agent in Florida is to complete a 63-hour prelicensing course. If you have a four-year degree in a real estate-related field or you’re a member of the Florida Bar Association, you may be eligible to skip your prelicensing requirements.

Plenty of schools offer in-person or online courses. If you prefer an online program that lets you study at your own pace, we recommend checking out Colibri Real Estate. It’s our top pick for the best overall online real estate school in Florida.

Readers of The Close can SAVE 25% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course in Florida. Use promo code TheClose25 at checkout.

Their classes are both flexible and affordable, with a range of options to choose from. Colibri Real Estate offers four packages ranging from $132 to $439, and every package includes support from Florida instructors as well as a Satisfaction Guarantee.

For more info about choosing a Florida real estate school, check out our buyer’s guide and see our section below about class formats.

Related Article
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Florida for 2023

2. Pass a Background Check

Cost: $50 – $100
Time Commitment: 2 weeks

In Florida, you must complete a background check before you can sit for your license exam. Your national background check must be performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and include a fingerprinting check.

At least five days before submitting your application, submit your fingerprints to a Livescan service provider. You must provide the Livescan provider with the correct code (Real Estate Sales and Brokers—FL920010Z) when submitting your fingerprints. Otherwise, the application process will be delayed.

The charge for fingerprinting varies with each location, but expect to pay around $50. You’ll need to bring two forms of ID when fingerprinted. Results can typically take up to two weeks to be processed. for more information, check out the DBPR’s helpful FAQ sheet for fingerprinting checks.

3. Apply for Your License

Cost: $83.75
Time Commitment: 1 Hour

If you're looking to learn more about how to become a real estate agent in Florida, we've created this step-by-step guide to help you break into the industry successfully.

You must complete your real estate license application before you take your license exam. Start by creating an account with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to apply online. You can also apply with a printable application.

The application fee is $83.75. Military members and their spouses may be eligible for a fee waiver—visit out the DBPR website for more information.

Besides providing your Social Security number and legal name, you’ll also have to answer a series of background questions regarding your criminal history, legal investigations, and previous licensures. You may be required to provide supporting legal documents with your application.

4. Pass the Florida License Exam

Cost: $36.75
Time Commitment: 4 Hours (3 1/2 for the exam, arrive 30 min early)

The Florida real estate license exam is administered by Pearson VUE. Once your application is approved by the DBPR, you’ll receive an official authorization letter from Pearson VUE with instructions to schedule your license exam.

You can schedule your exam online or by phone at (888) 204-6289. The exam fee is $36.75. In Florida, you can take your real estate license exam in person or online. Visit Pearson VUE’s online proctored website to schedule your online exam.

When you’re ready to study for your exam, consider a helpful exam prep course. We recommend Gold Coast School’s Weekend CRAM Review Course. There are 14 course locations in Florida, or the sessions can be live-streamed.

For in-person exams, you’ll need to arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled exam. You’ll have 3½ hours to complete the 100-question, computer-based exam. You’ll need to get 75 questions correct to pass the exam.

Related Article
Free Real Estate Practice Exam + 7 Hacks to Help You Ace Your Real Estate Exam

Bring the following items to the Pearson VUE testing site:

  • Two forms of valid signature identification, one of which is government-issued (driver’s license, state identification card, passport, or military identification card).
  • Proof that you have completed the necessary educational requirements to take the exam (Florida Division of Real Estate Authorization Notice and the Certificate of Pre-Licensing Education Completion). Even if the original copy of these documents was mailed to the Division of Real Estate, bring a photocopy of the documents to your testing center.
  • A silent, hand-held, battery-powered, non-printing calculator without alphabetical buttons.

Leave every other item (phones, purses, wallets, snacks, and drinks) in your car or a locker provided by Pearson.

You’ll receive your “photo-bearing” exam result report immediately following your exam. If you fail the exam, you can schedule a review session with Pearson within 21 days to review the questions you answered incorrectly (there’s a charge for this review).

5. Find a Principal Broker to Hire You

Cost: No cost
Time Commitment: 1-3 months

Congratulations! If you’ve made it this far, then you’ve completed all the steps to get your real estate license in Florida. The only thing you need to do now is to get hired by a Florida real estate brokerage.

As a real estate agent in Florida, you’ll be required to work under a broker to assist clients in buying or selling real estate. You may need to knock on doors and introduce yourself to find a brokerage to oversee your work. Here is our assessment of the best real estate companies to work for to help you in your search.

Related Article
What’s the Best Real Estate Company to Work for?

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate License in Florida?

Infographic: Quick Facts About How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

It can cost as little as $300 to get your Florida real estate license. Some of these costs are set, such as the license fee and exam fee. The price for the prelicensing courses and exam prep materials will vary depending on the school you choose.

Florida Real Estate License Costs

Prelicensing Classes (63 hours)$132.00 (Colibri Real Estate)
Exam Cram Session$199.00 (Gold Coast School)
Florida Real Estate License Exam Fee$36.75
License Application Fee$83.75
Fingerprinting Fee$54.55
Total Cost$506.05

Compensation

How much do real estate agents in Florida make? In March 2022, they made an average of $93,709 per year in Florida. Remember that real estate is a commissioned-based career, so the sky is truly the limit on your earning potential.

Once you’ve decided which companies to interview with, inquire about your split, or how you and the brokerage will divide the commissions you earn. Some brokerages will ask for a 50/50 split on commissions. Usually, brokerages that offer an even split will not charge monthly desk fees.

Other brokerages may allow you to keep between 70% and 100% of your commissions. However, those brokerages will often charge higher monthly desk fees. Some brokerages may offer you 70% of your commissions until you reach a cap, which means you’ll receive 100% of your commissions for the rest of the year after earning the pre-specified amount.

As a new real estate broker, finding the right balance between commissions and desk fees may be tricky. Keep in mind that real estate brokerages do not offer any payment to their agents, so these negotiations with the managing broker are essential. Negotiating a lower cap for yourself will mean you’ll be able to put more of your earned commissions into your own pocket.

Since real estate agents are paid solely on commission, some hesitate to quit their day job and jump with both feet into their new careers. To help you decide whether you should work full-time or part-time, check out our guide on being a part-time real estate agent.

Related Article
Can You Be a Part-time Real Estate Agent? (+ Free Guide & Videos)

Choosing a Florida Real Estate School

Your classes will cover the legal and financial aspects of buying and selling property. You’ll learn everything you need to know to pass the exam and answer questions from future clients. Here are some of the class formats you’ll encounter at Florida real estate schools.

Types of Instruction
Pros
Cons
In-person Classes
  • Traditional classroom setting

  • Get to know other students

  • Easy access to the instructor
  • More expensive than online classes

  • Commuting and traffic

  • Finding class times to fit your schedule
Livestream Classes
  • No commute

  • Ideal if you live far from in-person schools

  • You can ask instructors questions in real time
  • Finding classes to fit your schedule

  • No interaction with other students

  • Technology doesn’t always work as it should
Online Classes
  • Work at your own pace anywhere with internet

  • Take classes when convenient for you

  • Least expensive option
  • Instructors can only be accessed via email or phone

  • Little interaction with real estate pros

  • Technology doesn’t always work as it should

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida – FAQs

We hope we’ve provided a comprehensive view of how to become a real estate agent in Florida. We’ve assembled answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the process here. If you have additional questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you!






We hope you have a clear understanding of how to become a real estate agent in Florida after reading our step-by-step guide.

More Career Resources From The Close

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