Are You Wondering How Do I Get My Real Estate License in Florida? Read This in-Depth Guide
Florida is home to beautiful beaches, stunning views and a tropical climate and thanks to a thriving economy, Florida continues to be amongst the top real estate markets in the country.
The state’s dynamic and diverse real estate landscape continues to attract investors and homebuyers from all over the country.
Since the pandemic, the Florida real estate market has been growing at a steady pace year-on-year.
Due to the strong real estate growth, rising population, world-class tourism and growing job market, Florida’s real estate has reached New York and California in terms of popularity.
Market data and housing trends report that in the last five years and so, the housing prices in Florida have increased by almost 80%.
FL is one of the hottest real estate markets since the last few years and with a stable economy and steady demand for housing, the growth trajectory will continue.
Last year, the Florida real estate market witnessed an increase of around 40 percent in the total number of homes sold and the Peach State is currently amongst the top five most sought after destinations for homebuyers and migrant workers.
Miami, Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville have shown a massive surge in market valuation and Miami has even displaced Washington to claim the fifth spot as the most valuable metropolitan city in the country.
If you are interested in working as a part-time or as a full-time real estate agent in FL, now is a good time to get started as there is a high demand for real estate professionals.
For aspiring agents, Florida’s strong real estate market and exciting prospects offer numerous opportunities for starting a well-paying thriving career.
By working in a popular and diverse real estate market like Florida, you can achieve your goal of becoming financially independent while working in a dynamic industry.
To start your career in FL real estate and work with clients, you will need more than just passion and hope, you will also need to obtain a Florida salesperson license.
Starting a new career can be intimidating and overwhelming, and to help you plan for it, this in-depth guide will answer all your questions on how to get a Florida real estate license.
Understanding the appeal of Florida’s real estate landscape
Whether you are a beginner looking to start a career or an experienced professional looking to switch careers,working in FL real estate can be rewarding and fulfilling.
Currently ranked amongst the top five most popular real estate markets in the country, Florida offers exciting opportunities for homebuyers, renters, vacationers and investors.
From single family homes and grand bungalows to sea facing villas and luxury condominiums, Florida is home to a diverse landscape of real estate.
Here are some factors leading to unprecedented demand and growth in Florida real estate:
- Favorable weather: The favorable weather gives a major boost to Florida’s real estate market and makes it a popular hub for tourists, vacationers, retirees and migrant workers who are flocking to this state due to its pleasant weather. Central Florida offers a temperate climate during winters while Southern Florida has a summery vibe around the year, making the FL weather diverse across seasons.
- Location desirability: Due to a prominence of world-class entertainment and lifestyle choices and a vast coastline, Florida is one of the most popular and attractive tourist destinations in the country, and it is quickly becoming a desirable residential state as well. The Peach State enjoys a consistently high volume of tourists and retirees annually, making it a real estate hotspot.
- Positive employment outlook: FL’s booming real estate market can also be attributed to its strong employment outlook. Due to a 30 percent growth in the state GDP, the number of job opportunities are growing which is a key influencing factor in boosting the demand for residential real estate.
- Population growth: With Florida’s population growth reaching a whopping 23 million by 2025, the demand for housing and residential real estate is projected to grow significantly. In fact, Florida is one of the few states with a net positive migration rate, making it an exciting opportunity for aspiring real estate agents.
- Tax benefits: The lack of tax makes Florida a lucrative state for residents, especially skilled workers and migrants who want to become residents. The amount of savings on capital gains can be a rewarding benefit for Florida homebuyers and residents. Plus, it also positions Florida as an attractive business destination.
- Attractive lifestyle: Be it the scenic beaches, beautiful coastline, golf courses or world renowned entertainment centers and theme parks, Florida’s real estate market benefits from a diverse mix of exciting lifestyle options. Many migrant workers, homebuyers and vacationers choose Florida due to a plethora of attractive amenities and lifestyle options.
- Growing job opportunities: Florida’s strong economic outlook has boosted its job landscape, creating employment opportunities across various sectors. Data from employment sites and labor statistics point towards the addition of around half a million new job opportunities in Florida since the last two decades. Cities like Tampa, Jacksonville and Orlando have emerged as employment haven for FL residents.
To sum it up, Florida’s real estate potential is poised to grow and create rewarding opportunities due to the growing demand for housing and a sustained interest in vacation, rental and residential real estate.
Before we dive deeper into the specifics of how to get a FL real estate license, it is important to understand what you will be doing in this profession as a real estate agent.
What does a real estate agent do?
A day in the life of a FL real estate agent is a mix of multiple duties, tasks and responsibilities and you will be expected to handle them all.
Although your exact duties and responsibilities will vary depending on skill, experience level and employer, here are some of the common tasks which real estate agents perform.
- Meeting and interviewing prospects and potential clients to understand their needs
- Responding to texts, emails or phone calls and answer queries
- Assisting clients in buying and selling of residential or commercial properties
- Helping clients negotiate deals and get the best value for their property
- Closing delivering disclosures and documents related to a real estate deal
- Guiding homeowners in setting up their property for showings and visits
- Assisting home buyers in finding the right mortgage financing and payment plan
- Reviewing and supervising the formulation of deeds, contracts and agreements
- Liaison with industry professionals such as brokers, home inspectors and appraisers
- Drafting and maintaining contracts, deeds, and documentation
- Conducting market research to identify popular property markets and hotspots
As you gain experience and knowledge, you can transition into a senior role by applying for a broker’s license.
Senior brokers can choose to become realtors and start their own real estate firm and agency in Florida.
You might be thinking about how can I get my real estate license in Florida and start your job? It is important to take a step back and understand why a license is crucial for success.
Why do you need a real estate license
Real estate is a highly regulated industry which is governed by a pre-established set of state and federal laws for professionals and firms.
The Florida law permits only licensed professionals to work with clients and help them in buying and selling properties anywhere in the state.
Like other states, Florida real estate also follows a set of state-specific laws and regulations to protect the rights of consumers and enforce professional standards.
It is the responsibility and authority of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) to allow only licensed agents to engage in a transaction or deal with consumers.
Getting your license is not just a mandatory legal and regulatory requirement, but an important milestone in starting your career, whether as a part-time or a full-time agent.
A Florida salesperson license is a state and federal proof that you have fulfilled the eligibility criteria and met all the qualifying requirements to become a licensed professional.
With a state approved license, you can freely work with clients anywhere in the Peach State without any restrictions or limitations.
Note that in the beginning of your career, you should apply for a Florida salesperson license as it will be the ideal way to join the industry.
As you grow in your career and gain experience, you can complete additional license requirements to obtain a broker’s license in FL.
Licensing Requirements for Real Estate Agents
To obtain your Florida salesperson license, you must start by meeting the basic eligibility requirements established by the FREC.
As per the FREC, aspiring real estate agents must fulfill the state licensing requirements and earn their license.
Here are the basic eligibility requirements to qualify for a career in real estate: .
- You must be at least 18 years of age or older
- You must possess a high school diploma or graduation education
- You must be a legal resident of the U.S. or a lawfully residing alien
If you meet the above statutory requirements, you might be thinking about the next steps on how to get your FL real estate license and start your career.
To obtain your license, you must complete a minimum level of qualifying education and training.
As per the FREC license requirements, you are required to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing education and training from a state approved education provider.
The 63 hours of FL pre license coursework consists of mandatory courses as per the state and federal guidelines.
Some of the important courses you will complete are - Principles of Real Estate, Laws of Real Estate, Contracts, Real Estate Finance among others which will prepare you about the industry, your duties and consumer rights.
The pre-licensing education will provide you with the required knowledge of various state and federal laws along with the industry standards for professionals.
Students have the flexibility to complete 63 hours of pre licensing coursework by joining a physical, classroom based real estate college or by enrolling in an online pre license course.
Most students prefer the flexibility and convenience of online courses due to the fact you can complete the coursework at your own pace.
Generally, it costs between $100 to $700 to complete your pre license education and qualify for a real estate license in FL.
However, the exact amount depends on your education provider, their reputation, the type of learning package you choose and the medium of content delivery.
What is the Florida Real Estate Exam?
After completing your education and courses, you will become eligible to apply for the Florida real estate license exam.
The FREC has made it mandatory for all students to take the test and pass to qualify for a state license.
Many beginners often wonder why passing a test is so crucial to becoming a licensed professional and the answer simply is that the test is a way to assess your knowledge and preparation for working with clients.
To obtain your FL salesperson license, you must demonstrate your preparation of the courses covered in your pre license education and take the state license test.
And the most important step towards getting your real estate license is by successfully passing the state licensing exam.
It is a closed book test and the total duration of the exam is 3.5 hours and you have to attempt 100 questions in total.
If you are thinking starting a career and become a professional, then you must pass the salesperson license exam
To do so, you must score at least 75% in the test and you can take the test as per your preferred day and date and by paying an exam fee on the commission website.
However, note that you will have to choose a state approved Pearson VUE test center if you decide to appear for the exam in-person.
If you do not clear the Florida real estate exam on the first attempt, you can re-appear for the exam by paying the exam fee again.
Florida Real Estate Exam Preparation Tips
Generally, first time applicants and beginners often wonder about the difficulty of the state real estate license test.
Firstly, the level of exam difficulty depends on the level of your preparation. The better prepared you are, the less difficult you will find the test.
Students who are good with their knowledge of the state and federal laws and thoroughly understand the fundamentals are less likely to think of the exam as daunting or difficult.
Whereas, if you are not comfortable or clear with the fundamental principles of real estate or have skipped through the basics, then you will find the exam challenging and daunting.
The key to acing the test is preparing for it in a smart, optimized way. Before diving into preparing for the exam topics, it is important to learn about the format of the exam.
Next, it is recommended that you make use of exam prep resources and test courses to become more knowledgeable and confident.
It is found that students who enroll in real estate exam prep courses are more comfortable with the test and better prepared to tackle the different questions.
Clearing federal background verification
To obtain your license, it is a must for aspiring professionals to meet state specific guidelines for honesty, integrity and truthfulness and prove good moral conduct.
To obtain a FL salesperson license, you must complete background verification and criminal history check to qualify for a real estate license.
To complete this step, you need to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints taken at a FREC approved live scan vendor.
You can get your fingerprints from an authorized livescan provider in Florida and you can visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website to find a list of scan providers.
Additionally, you must disclose any act of felony or criminal activity in your past to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
Submit your license application
Wondering about how do I get a real estate license in Florida and start working with clients? You are just a few steps away from starting your career.
After completing the above steps, you can submit your salesperson license application to the Florida DBPR for review and approval.
You can submit the application along with your electronic fingerprints and other supporting documents online or via mail.
After your application and other licensing documents are reviewed and approved, you will receive your salesperson license within a few weeks.
Finding employer sponsorship
If you have made it this far, congratulations as you would have received your Florida salesperson license by now.
However, to make the most of it, you must first activate your license by finding employer sponsorship.
In Florida, newly licensed agents must work under the supervision of senior brokers and gain practical experience.
To activate your license, you must find a sponsoring broker and submit their details to the Florida DBPR for approval.