If you want to become a real estate agent in Florida, you must hold a valid Florida real estate sales associate license. With this license, and under the supervision of a licensed broker, you can legally help people buy, sell, and rent property, show homes, discuss offers, and earn commissions.

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), working with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), sets the rules for becoming licensed. Their website, Florida Real Estate Commission, is the official source for requirements, forms, and updates.

Step 1: Complete the 63-Hour Florida Sales Associate Pre-Licensing Course

Every new Florida sales associate must start with a FREC-approved 63-hour pre-licensure education course for sales associates. This course teaches you the fundamentals of real estate, including Florida law, brokerage relationships, contracts, property rights, and real estate math.

The 63-hour course is part of the official “Sales Associate Pre-Licensure Education” list published by the Division of Real Estate. You must successfully complete this course before you can qualify for licensure and move forward in the process.

The law allows certain exemptions. If you hold a 4-year degree or higher in real estate, or you are a Florida Bar member in active, good standing, you may be exempt from some education requirements, but you still must meet the examination and licensing standards.

Step 2: Apply for Your Florida Real Estate License with DBPR

After you begin or complete your pre-licensing course, you must apply for your sales associate license through DBPR. You can access the Sales Associate Initial Application (RE 1) and related forms from the DBPR site at MyFloridaLicense.com by selecting the Real Estate section.

On your application, you will:

  • Confirm you meet the basic qualifications (age, education, and background).
  • Provide personal and contact information, including a valid mailing and email address.
  • Disclose any background issues DBPR needs to review.

DBPR will review your application and notify you of your status. The Division of Real Estate encourages you to create and maintain an online account to track your license information, including application status and future renewal deadlines.

Step 3: Submit Your Fingerprints for a Background Check

All applicants must submit digital fingerprints so DBPR can complete a background check before granting a license. You must use an approved fingerprint provider and ensure your prints are submitted using the correct real estate ORI number as specified by DBPR.

Fingerprints are tied to your license type and cannot be reused across different professions. This step helps DBPR confirm that applicants meet the character and fitness standards required by Florida law.

Step 4: Pass Your Course Final Exam

Once you finish all 63 hours of your pre-licensing course, you must pass the course final exam. This exam confirms that you understand the key topics required by FREC and prepares you for the state licensing exam.

After passing, you receive a course completion certificate. This certificate is important: your completion is time-limited, and you must pass the state exam while your course credit is still valid under Florida rules.** The course is good for two (2) years from the date of completion. An expired course will not be accepted at the exam site and you will not be able to sit for your exam without proof of a valid course completion slip. **

Step 5: Schedule and Pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate State Exam

The Florida sales associate state exam is a written, multiple-choice test that measures your knowledge of Florida real estate law, principles, and practice. You must pass this exam to qualify for licensure as a sales associate.

DBPR contracts with testing providers such as Pearson VUE to administer this exam at approved testing centers. You can find links to exam information, including the Candidate Information Booklet for Sales Associates, through the Real Estate section of MyFloridaLicense.com.

FREC rules require you to achieve a passing score on this exam. If you do not pass, you may retake the exam as long as your application and education credits remain valid within the timelines set by the Division of Real Estate.

Step 6: Activate Your License with a Sponsoring Broker

Under Florida law, a sales associate must perform all brokerage activities under the “direction, control, or management” of a licensed broker. This definition appears in section 475.01(1)(a), Florida Statutes, and is highlighted on the Real Estate Commission site.

To activate your license, a qualifying broker or brokerage company must register you with DBPR, typically using forms such as the “Become Active – Sales Associate or Broker Sales Associate (RE 11)” or related online processes. Once your broker associates you with their office in the DBPR system, your license becomes active and you may legally perform real estate services on their behalf.

Choosing a brokerage should be a thoughtful decision. Different companies offer different compensation structures, training programs, marketing tools, and office cultures. Your broker is responsible for supervising your work and helping you comply with Florida law, so look for a firm that invests in education, compliance, and long-term professional growth.

Do You Have to Live in Florida to Get a Florida Real Estate License?

No. Florida law does not require you to be a Florida resident to hold a Florida real estate license. The mutual recognition information on the Real Estate Commission homepage makes it clear that some license pathways are designed specifically for nonresidents of Florida.

Florida’s Mutual Recognition Agreements

Florida recognizes the education and examination standards of certain other states through “mutual recognition” agreements. As listed on the Real Estate Commission’s mutual recognition section, Florida currently has mutual recognition with ten states: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and West Virginia.

To qualify under mutual recognition, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
  • Not be a resident of Florida at the time of application.
  • Hold a current, valid, and active real estate license in good standing from the mutual recognition state, earned by meeting that state’s education and exam requirements.

Applicants under mutual recognition must pass a Florida-specific law exam that consists of 40 questions. You must score at least 30 points to pass this law exam. After you become licensed in Florida, you are subject to the same post-licensing and continuing education requirements as any other Florida licensee.

Post-Licensing and Continuing Education Requirements

Getting your license is only the beginning. According to the Division of Real Estate, newly licensed sales associates must complete 45 hours of post-license education before their first renewal deadline, or their license will become null and void.

After the initial renewal, active sales associates must complete 14 hours of approved continuing education during each renewal cycle. Florida Bar members in active good standing may be exempt from the 14-hour continuing education requirement, but they must notify the Division of Real Estate to claim this exemption.

The Real Estate Commission recommends that all licensees maintain an online account with DBPR, check their email regularly, and keep mailing and email addresses current, because renewal notices and education reminders are sent electronically.

Why the Official DBPR and Real Estate Commission Sites Matter

Rules, forms, and fees can change over time. Because of this, the best practice is to confirm every requirement directly on the official sites:

By working from these official sources, you protect your career, avoid costly mistakes, and make sure you always meet the current standards for becoming and staying licensed as a Florida real estate sales associate.