Courses Required for Real Estate License: A Complete Guide
Home to serene beaches, diverse entertainment and recreational options, and a vibrant culture, Florida has quickly risen to the top of the ranks to become one of the hottest real estate markets in the country.
Florida has the distinction of having six cities that are among the top 20 fastest-growing in the country.
A resilient economy, beautiful weather, and a stable economy are some of the reasons why Florida’s real estate market is poised to grow significantly.
These trends and stats indicate that real estate in Florida is showing no signs of slowing down, instead, it continues to grow year-on-year thanks to the growing popularity of the ‘sunshine state’.
Hence if you are an aspiring real estate professional, Florida is the ideal state for you. Get your real estate license and launch a very successful career.
Getting your salesperson license in Florida is the most important step towards participating and practicing in Florida’s real estate market,
One of the most critical aspects of starting a new career is completing the mandatory pre-licensing coursework and passing the licensing exam.
When it comes to completing the pre-licensing coursework, there are countless choices and options available for you.
However, choosing the right one can feel overwhelming and confusing, especially for first-time applicants.
If you are ready to take your first steps in building your real estate career, then this article is for you.
We have put together this in-depth guide to help you evaluate the different Florida real estate courses and pick the most suitable for your learning needs.
Understanding the Basics of Real Estate Licensing
The Importance of Proper Education in Real Estate
Many aspiring real estate sales associates and brokers often overlook the importance of investing time, effort, and money in getting the required education.
Without education, you will be limited in your scope and will not be able to achieve your true potential. Education is the most important ingredient for a thriving and successful career.
Education gives you a deep understanding of the different aspects of real estate - from the state and federal laws and regulations to the principles and practices of the trade.
Real estate is a dynamic and ever-evolving industry comprising state and national-specific laws, regulations, rules, and guidelines.
In order to stay competitive and thrive in a rapidly changing landscape, you must educate yourself about market factors, economic trends, competition research, and legal compliance.
Pre-licensing education is a specific set of courses required for a real estate license in Florida. These courses impart knowledge about the real estate industry in the state.
The coursework comprises fundamental topics and foundational subjects to give you an overview of how the industry works.
You will learn about real estate terms, its laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Real estate works on a pre-established set of industry practices and principles and it is critical that you familiarize yourself with the importance of federal and state laws.
You will also gain an understanding of the job role, responsibilities, and the underlying principles of how to work with other professionals from the real estate industry. .
Pre-licensing education will equip you with the knowledge and skills required to practice real estate in Florida and help clients buy, sell, and lease properties.
Since clearing the exam is a mandatory requirement to obtain a state-approved license, it is important that you focus on completing the pre-licensing education and prepare well for the test.
Overview of Licensing Requirements Across the U.S.
Like any other professional industry, real estate is governed by pre-established laws, rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Licensing in real estate is based on a fixed set of requirements that vary from state to state yet share many common underlying principles across the country.
Most states in the country have made it mandatory for aspiring real estate professionals to obtain a state-approved license.
In addition to that, most states have their own set of license renewal requirements and guidelines for active real estate sales associates, brokers, and realtors.
The real estate license requirements vary from state to state, and they also vary on the basis of the type of license you are applying for.
However, there are certain minimum statutory requirements which are common. These are:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or older
- Applicants must be legal citizens of the U.S. or lawfully admitted residents
- Applicants must have a high school diploma in education or GED
In addition to the above set of requirements, most states in the country require applicants to complete state-approved pre-licensing education.
Pre-licensing education is the minimum level of qualifying education required to be eligible for taking the state licensing exam.
The coursework and curriculum requirements vary from state to state but almost every state requires aspiring real estate professionals to complete the pre-licensing requirements.
To get a real estate license in Florida, you must abide by the rules as decided by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC).
A Rundown of Real Estate Courses in Florida
Unique Aspects of Florida Real Estate
Florida’s real estate market is on a roll and the ‘Sunshine state’ has displaced many popular states to become the 2nd most sought after markets in the country for residential and vacation real estate. Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville are among the fastest-growing cities in the state.
Let’s take a look at some of the unique factors of Florida real estate:
- Beautiful coastline: Brimming with scenic natural views, Florida’s coastline is a popular reason why people move to the Lone Star state. The market for luxury real estate is growing with coast and beach-facing properties selling for as high as $25 million.
- Strong economy: Florida has a strong economy boasting of expansion in agriculture, tourism, technology, and aerospace. Due to the significant private and government-led investments across sectors, the state’s economy has developed into a robust, resilient one. Another benefit is that the state does not levy any income tax.
- Growing Job Opportunities: There are rising job opportunities in Florida with two million added in the last couple of decades alone. The standout city is Jacksonville which is among the top 50 in the USA regarding job openings.
Mandatory Pre-Licensing Courses in Florida
Pre-licensing courses will equip you with the knowledge and understanding of both basic and advanced FL real estate principles.
According to the state’s real estate authority, every applicant must fulfill the pre-licensing education requirements.
Pre-licensing education includes completing a 63-hour course divided into 19 levels comprising mandatory courses such as:
- Real Estate License Law and Regulations
- Real Estate Commission Rules
- Real Estate Contracts
- Real Estate Principles 1 and 2
- Real Estate Business
- Authorized Relationships, Duties and Disclosures
- Real Estate Brokerage Activities
- State and Federal Laws for Real Estate
- Violations of Real Estate Laws, Penalties and Procedures
- Property Rights
- Title Deeds, Ownership and Restrictions
- Real Estate Descriptions
- Real Estate Mortgage Types
- Real Estate Market Analysis
- Real Estate Appraisal
- Real Estate Investments
- Florida Real Estate License Laws
In addition to the above, there may be additional courses required for a real estate license based on state-specific guidelines.
Schools for Real Estate in Florida: Finding the Right Fit
Accredited vs. Non-Accredited Schools
Despite there being no shortage of schools for real estate in Florida, applicants and aspiring licensed professionals must keep one important aspect in mind before choosing one.
Not every real estate school is accredited, even if they are providing pre-licensing education and training.
Wondering what exactly is the difference between an accredited versus a non-accredited school?
A school or education provider becomes accredited when they are able to meet a specific set of standards and guidelines established by the state’s official real estate authority/agency.
This means an accredited school has successfully met the minimum standards required by the law to impart education to students.
These standards are established to ensure academic excellence and provide the highest quality of knowledge and training to students. These standards are applicable to all institutions, whether private or public.
On the other hand, a non-accredited school might not meet the standards set for quality, content delivery, learning experience, curriculum development, and ethics.
Online vs. In-Person Real Estate Courses
There are many ways to start your real estate license preparation in Florida and students have a lot of options at their disposal.
If you are ready to complete the Florida pre-licensing real estate courses, you can opt for an in-person college or enroll in an online course.
Both have their own set of pros and cons. In-person colleges work better for students who prefer being in a classroom environment and learning in the presence of other students.
On the other hand, online learning is beneficial for students who want to learn at their own pace and from the comfort of their own place. Online real estate courses are more flexible and convenient for students.
The decision is personal and depends on your learning style, preferences, and schedule.