Here’s How To Get Your Florida Real Estate License Online In a Step-By-Step Way

By Ciprian Morariu Published: April 9, 2025

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 right platform to achieve your professional goals.

Florida’s real estate market is on a growth trajectory and the state is witnessing strong demand for residential and commercial properties.

One of the fastest growing real estate markets in the country, Florida’s diverse landscape market and growing population are a testament to its rising popularity.

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, currently placed amongst the top 5 hottest real estate destinations.

The opportunities for real estate agents continues to grow, as the demand for more housing and vacation real estate increases.

Florida’s real estate landscape is brimming with opportunities for agents who want to help people buy and sell properties. .

Did you know that the top Florida real estate agents can earn a six figure income annually? Even newly licensed agents start with a good base pay of $60 to $70K in a year.

Imagine the lifestyle you can live while earning a six figure income and feeling the joy of being your own boss and staying in control of your career growth.

To reap the benefits of this career, you must first obtain a Florida real estate license. As per the Florida law, it is mandatory to meet the licensing requirements to become a professional.

Starting a new career and getting your license might seem overwhelming, but if you approach it in a step-by-step way, it can be achieved within a few months.

If you are curious to explore what it takes to work in Florida real estate and how to get your FL real estate license then this article will answer all your questions.

Before committing to the journey of becoming a licensed professional, it is important to understand what you are signing up for. Let’s start with the basics first.

What does a real estate agent do

A real estate agent is a licensed professional who works with clients to help them buy, sell or lease properties.

Real estate agents earn commission in exchange for their services based on the total value of the transaction or deal.

Real estate agents work with brokerage firms and brokers to serve clients whereas more experienced agents choose to work independently and find their own clients.

As a real estate agent, you will be juggling multiple tasks in a day and there’s rarely going to be a dull moment at work. Here are some of the tasks and duties you will perform:

Answer phone calls, texts, emails from potential and existing clients
Set up appointments and schedule property visits and showings
Meet with clients to discuss their buying, selling or leasing needs
Work with clients to understand their needs and set clear expectations
Connect with industry professionals on behalf of clients or brokerage firms
Gather information related to properties, market trends, pricing, competition
Assist clients with property staging, site tours and inspections
Guide clients through various stages of buying or selling a property
Liaison with industry professionals such as underwriters, appraisers and loan officers
Help clients negotiate the selling or buying price to close the deal
Draft clear, accurate and concise drafts, deeds, terms and contracts for a transaction
Educate clients regarding property laws, market conditions, transactions and deals
Ensure compliance with the state and federal laws for all paperwork and documents
Create and publish marketing material to promote listings and find new clients

Your exact job duties might vary depending on your employer and your experience and skill level.

Thus, to become a successful real estate professional you must prepare by completing the journey in a sincere and dedicated way.

If you are thinking about how much to get a real estate license in Florida it is important to understand that there are advantages to putting in the time and effort to get your license.

Benefits of working as a real estate agent in Florida

Thanks to the temperate climate, picturesque natural views, growing population and a strong employment market, Florida continues to attract homebuyers, renters and investors.

Miami, Orlando, Cape Coral, Tampa and Jacksonville are hottest real estate markets which are home to single family homes and grand bungalows to luxury condominiums and sea facing villas.

Whether you are a complete beginner or someone looking to switch careers, FL real estate can offer you a dynamic, rewarding and fulfilling profession.

Working as a real estate agent in a diverse and alluring market like Florida can give you numerous opportunities to tap into. Here are some of the key benefits you can reap:

High earning potential and flexibility

The number one reason why a career in real estate is enticing for many is the chance to work at your pace and be your own boss.

You can easily make good money as the average salary of a salesperson can range between $80K to $120K annually in Florida and as your skills grow, your income will follow.

As a real estate agent, there is practically no limit to how much you can earn because the more deals you close, the more commissions you can make.

Fulfilling career choice

Do you want to help people achieve their goals? A career as a real estate agent will give you the ability to help clients buy and sell real estate.

For many people, working with clients and guiding them through the stages of closing a deal is worth choosing a career.

When working as a real estate agent in Florida, you will get opportunities to meet, connect and network with clients and you can help them with your knowledge, skill and expertise.

If serving people and helping them realize their goals sounds like a fulfilling reward to you, then real estate can be a good career choice.

Career Independence and Flexibility

A career in real estate will give you the freedom to work on your own terms and define a flexible schedule as per your goals.

Real estate agents also enjoy the flexibility to work from anywhere - be it from the office or from the field or their home.

Most real estate agents are self employed and they work on their own schedules, you can also choose to define your working hours in alignment to your client needs.

You can choose to work part-time or full-time, based on your needs and career goals because as long as you are closing the deals, it should not be a problem.

To summarize, a career as a real estate agent is financially rewarding and emotionally fulfilling which makes it a great profession.

After reading these benefits and advantages, you might be thinking - how long to get real estate license in Florida and start on an exciting career?

Generally, it takes around a few months to complete all the steps involved in getting a license and you should be prepared for it.

Let us walk you through the step by step process of how to obtain a license and become a qualified professional.

How to get a Florida real estate license

If you are already preparing and want to know how to apply for real estate license in Florida, it is important to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility requirements.

As per the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) which is the state’s leading authority for issuing and renewing licenses, it is mandatory to meet the basic statutory requirements.

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. These are:

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

Step 1: Complete pre licensing education

To get your Florida salesperson license, you must complete minimum education and training to qualify for it.

The FREC requires you to complete 63 hours of pre license education from a state approved education provider to qualify for a salesperson license.

Many students often think of pre license education as a mandatory license requirement which needs to be ticked in order to get your license agent.

Pre license education and training will equip you with the fundamental knowledge of the principles of real estate. Some of the important foundational courses you will learn are:

Federal and State Laws
Real Estate Business
Real Estate Contracts
Real Estate Appraisal

As a student, you can choose to complete the course credits by joining an in-person, classroom based real estate school or by enrolling in an online pre license course.

Irrespective of your preferred medium of learning, you must choose a FREC approved education provider to ensure that you are following an updated, accurate curriculum.

Generally, it costs between $100 to $700 to complete the real estate pre licensing education in Florida depending on your preferred medium of learning and course package.

Another important reason why you must consider pre license education seriously is that it will help you prepare for the Florida salesperson license exam.

Step 2: Passing the Florida real estate license exam

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) has made it mandatory for every applicant to take the state license exam and pass it to obtain your license.

The salesperson exam is three hours in duration consisting of 100 multiple choice questions to test your knowledge. In order to pass the test, you must score at least 75% or above.

Some of the commonly asked questions and topics in the real estate license exam are:

Florida laws and regulations
Federal laws for agents
Real Estate Commission Rules
Real Estate Appraisal
Authorized Relationships, Disclosures and Duties
Violations of Real Estate Laws, Penalties and Procedures
Real Estate Contracts
Titles, Deeds and Ownership Types

You can take the exam as per your convenience and preferred day or date at a state approved Pearson VUE test center in the presence of a proctor.

Note that if you do not clear the licensing test on the first attempt, you can re-appear for the exam by paying the exam fee for another attempt.

If you are wondering how to get my real estate license in FL the answer simply is passing the real estate license exam and proving your competence.

Many students are often intimidated by the vastness of the pre license coursework and often wonder how difficult it is to pass the test on their first attempt.

Data suggest that on an average around 50 percent of the people do not pass the test on their first attempt.

The level of exam difficulty depends on the level of your preparation. The fact is that passing the exam is not hard if you prepare well and understand the course topics, exam format and get familiar with the type of questions you can expect.

If you are thoroughly prepared with a solid grasp of the fundamental principles and laws of the industry, you will feel more confident.

To boost your preparation, you can enroll in real estate prep courses and practice using mock tests and sample test questions.

Many course providers provide access to exam study material and mock tests to give you a familiarity of the type of questions you are likely to face on the exam day.

Step 3: Complete background verification

Real estate is a regulated industry with a governing set of laws and regulations for consumer protection,

If you are thinking about how to get a Florida real estate license, then you must meet the minimum standards of honesty, integrity and truthfulness and prove good moral conduct.

As per the FREC, you must complete federal background verification and criminal history check to become eligible for a license.

To complete this step, you must submit an electronic fingerprints scan taken at a live scan vendor. You can visit the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website to find a list of scan providers.

If you have any history of felony or criminal activity in your past, you must declare it to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

Note that it will cost you around $85 to complete the background verification and identity check.

Step 4: Submit your license application

If you have successfully completed all the steps discussed above, you are only a few steps away from getting your license.

The next step is to submit the application along with your electronic fingerprints and other supporting documents online or via mail to the Florida DBPR for review.

Once your application and supporting documents are approved, you will receive your salesperson license within a few weeks.

Step 5: Find employer sponsorship

We hope by now you would have got the answer to the question i.e. how to get your FL real estate license

Now that you have obtained your salesperson license, you must activate it to start working with clients and earn commissions.

To activate your license, you must find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm registered in Florida and work under their supervision as a newly licensed professional.

Florida Continuing Education Requirements

As a beginner, you might presume that after getting your real estate salesperson license, they no longer have to worry about doing anything else.

However, the FREC requires all active salespersons to complete additional education to keep themselves updated and relevant with the new laws, industry updates and regulations.

The FREC requires you to complete 45 hours of coursework as part of the continuing education requirements and by doing so, you will qualify for renewing your license.

Having an active license is a must to work with clients and grow in your career, thus you must prepare to complete continuing education before your license renewal date.

To stay ahead of the curve in a competitive industry like real estate, it is important to add on your knowledge and grow your skills.

Continuing education will give you the opportunity to learn new things, keep yourself updated with the latest regulations and standards, and expand your horizon.

Most importantly, it will help you keep your license active and it shows that you are committed to your career as a professional.

how to get a florida real estate license