Getting A Real Estate License In Florida: The Practical Guide
So you dream of a career where opportunities for earnings and professional growth are abundant and you can be your own boss?
If yes, then working as a real estate agent in Florida might just be the pathway to achieving your professional dream.
Did you know that the top Florida real estate agents can earn a six-figure income in a year? Even newly licensed agents can earn around $50K annually.
Thanks to the strong demand for residential and commercial real estate in FL, it has emerged as one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country.
Florida’s pleasant climate, scenic natural views, a plethora of vacations, and a favorable tax environment make it an attractive place for homebuyers, migrant workers, and real estate investors.
On top of these factors, Florida’s stable and diverse economic outlook and growing population are adding to the long list of reasons why real estate is booming in the state.
Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, and Fort Myers are some of the most popular real estate hotspots in the country right now.
Since the pandemic, Florida’s diverse real estate landscape has bounced back to reach a new glorious momentum in terms of demand and interest.
With a median selling price of $400K and an average commission rate of 5 to 6 percent, you can imagine the rewarding and lucrative earning potential for agents, brokers, and realtors.
If you are an aspiring real estate professional, Florida’s real estate growth can mean only one thing for you - now is a great time to join the real estate industry and reap benefits.
However, to achieve this, you must first earn your Florida real estate license which you can start working as a licensed real estate salesperson anywhere in the state.
If you are curious to learn more about how to become a licensed agent and assist clients in buying or selling real estate, then this guide will answer all your questions.
We will walk you through every step of the journey to help you embark on a new career - from qualifying education to licensing requirements and costs will be covered in this guide.
Why choose a career in Florida real estate
Working as a real estate salesperson, broker, or realtor in Florida can be incredibly rewarding and exciting for your career.
Real estate is a diverse industry with numerous challenges and avenues for growth and success.
Whether you are a complete newbie or an experienced individual looking to switch careers, real estate can offer you a stable, lucrative, and fulfilling profession.
Especially in a diverse, strong, and attractive state like Florida where the real estate landscape is brimming with emerging opportunities.
Here’s an interesting fact - Florida is currently ranked among the top three most popular and sought-after housing markets in the country.
Thanks to the warm and pleasant climate, picturesque natural views, and a strong job market, Florida continues to attract the interest of homebuyers, rentals, and real estate investors.
From single-family homes and grand bungalows to luxury condominiums and sea-facing villas - the Sunshine State offers something for everyone as the third most populous state in the country.
Cities like Miami, Ohio, Cape Coral, Tampa, and Jacksonville are regular favorites when it comes to ranking the most popular and valuable residential real estate markets.
Due to Florida dominating the real estate market, it has become a promising and fertile ground for real estate agents and brokers looking to grow their income, expand their business, and earn great commissions.
With a real estate license in Florida, you can easily make a six-and-a-half-figure income annually, not to mention the extra perks and opportunities for commission which will come standard with this career path.
Plus, there will be no cap on how much you can make, and the more deals you close, the more money you can take home.
Sounds too good to be true? With a real estate license, you can achieve this professional dream and give your career the boost it needs.
Getting a Florida real estate license
If you are already wondering how to become a licensed real estate agent in Florida, let us give you a deep dive into all the steps you must complete to get your license.
Firstly, you must learn about the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) and its rules, guidelines, and regulations for aspiring and experienced real estate professionals.
FREC is the state’s leading authority and governing body for managing regulations, fostering education, enforcing laws, approving licensure applications, and overseeing the administrative functions of the industry.
As per FREC, it is mandatory for all applicants to fulfill a pre-established set of requirements to become eligible for a salesperson or broker’s license in Florida.
Step 1: Meet the basic eligibility requirements
Like most states, Florida requires aspiring professionals to meet a minimum set of statutory requirements to prove their eligibility. As per these requirements, you must:
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
- Be a legal resident of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien
- Have a valid social security number and a driver’s license
Meeting the above prerequisites is mandatory for all applicants to continue ahead with the next step of their licensing journey.
Step 2: Complete pre-licensing education
Although you do not need a bachelor’s degree to join the real estate industry, it is important to acquire the required education to qualify.
The FREC requires applicants to complete state-specific pre-licensing education, also known as qualifying education, in order to become eligible for a salesperson or a broker’s license.
Florida requires aspiring agents to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing education from a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation) approved education provider.
You can choose to complete the course credits by joining an in-person, classroom-based real estate school or by enrolling in an online Florida real estate course.
Generally, most students prefer the convenience and flexibility of online courses as they are self-paced and can be completed from anywhere.
Irrespective of your preferred medium of learning, the pre-licensing education will equip you with the fundamental knowledge of state and federal laws for real estate professionals.
Many students often think of pre-licensing education as a mandatory formality that needs to be ticked in order to become an agent. Some of the important foundational course topics include:
- Federal and State Laws
- Real Estate Business
- Real Estate Contracts
- Real Estate Appraisal
The purpose of completing pre-licensing courses is to become familiar with the principles of real estate, its practices, and workings and get the required knowledge to work in the industry.
Step 3: Complete background verification
Since real estate is a highly regulated industry with its set of laws and regulations for consumer protection, it is a must for aspiring professionals to meet state-specific guidelines for a good moral character.
In the state of Florida, you must complete background verification and a criminal history check to qualify for a real estate license.
To do so, you need to submit electronic livescan fingerprints and disclose any act of felony or criminal activity in your past to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
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.
Step 4: Pass the Salesperson Licensing exam
After completing your education, you will qualify to take the real estate licensing exam which is administered by Pearson Vue.
The Florida salesperson licensing exam is formulated to test your knowledge and understanding of the courses covered during pre-licensing education.
It is a closed-book test with a total duration of the exam is 3.5 hours and you have to tackle 100 questions in total.
In order to pass the exam, you must score at least 75% in the test and that means you will have to get at least 75 questions correct.
If you are going to attempt the salesperson licensing exam for the first time, you might be wondering how difficult is the exam and what it takes to pass it.
Despite an average passing rate of around 48 percent for first-time applicants, the level of exam difficulty depends on the level of your preparation.
If you have completed your pre-licensing course credits with attention and sincerity, you should be comfortable in attempting the questions asked in the test.
Another important aspect of real estate exam prep is to make use of study material and learning resources like sample questions, and mock tests to boost your preparation.
Many students often get overwhelmed by the exam format, especially as it contains both state and national-specific portions.
Before diving into preparing for the exam topics, it is important that you learn about the format of the exam and its structure.
Since passing the exam is a crucial and must-do step in getting your FL salesperson license, it is recommended to invest time and resources in preparing to the best of your abilities.
In case you are wondering, if you are unable to pass the exam on your first attempt, you can retake the test after paying the exam fee for another attempt.
Step 5: Submit your license application
After passing the Florida real estate licensing exam, you will be just a few steps away from starting an exciting career.
Once you receive a certificate of completion of your education and a copy of your exam score, you can move on to submit your licensing application to the Florida DBPR.
You can choose to 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.
Step 6: Find employer sponsorship
Congratulations on receiving your well-deserved salesperson license in Florida - you are now a licensed agent ready to embark on your new professional journey.
As the last step in your licensing journey, you must find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm registered in the state of Florida to activate your license.