Real Estate Licensing in Florida: Acquisition to Renewal
It is not necessary to be a resident of Florida to apply for a real estate license in the state. You can complete the entire process of application from anywhere and even appear for the state licensing exam online from home.
Let us go into the various details of real estate licensing in Florida.
Key Takeaways
- The Lifecycle of a Florida Real Estate License
- Understanding the Validity: Does Your Real Estate License Expire?
- The Importance of Staying Current: Renewing Your License
- Step-by-Step Guide to Renewing Your Florida Real Estate License
- Pre-requisites for License Renewal in Florida
- The Process: How to Renew My Florida Real Estate License
- Online Renewal for Florida Real Estate License
- Benefits of Online Renewal Processes
- A Walkthrough of Florida Real Estate License Renewal Online
- Beginning Your Real Estate Journey in Florida
- Duration and Details: How Long to Get a Real Estate License in Florida?
- What to Expect: How Long is the Real Estate Course in Florida?
- Addressing Common Queries on Florida's Real Estate Licensing
- Clarifying Terminologies: License vs. License Renewal
- Ensuring Compliance: Key Dates and Renewal Cycles
The Lifecycle of A Florida Real Estate License
Understanding the Validity: Does Your Real Estate License Expire
Does your real estate license expire? Yes, it does expire on two fixed dates in a year. The date that you passed the licensing exam determines the expiry date of Florida real estate licenses. Typically, it is either March 31st or September 30th.
Florida real estate licenses are renewed for 24 months at a time. Hence, the first validity of your real estate license will be between 18 to 24 months. From the second cycle onwards, a Florida real estate license renewal period will be a constant 24 months.
However, the renewal date is printed on the license and there should not be any room for confusion in this regard.
The Importance of Staying Current: Renewing Your License
Renewing a real estate license in Florida is very important as failing to do so has dire consequences.
If you do not complete your post-licensing education within the first renewal cycle your license will become null and void. In such cases, you must start from scratch, go through the entire pre-licensing course, and retake the state exam.
Your license can lapse if you fail to complete the continuing education courses within two subsequent renewal periods. Your license will remain on hold until you complete the CE courses.
All these points prove that it is important to renew your Florida real estate license renewal within the stipulated time.
Step-by-step Guide to Renewing Your Florida Real Estate License
Pre-Requisites for License Renewal in Florida
Fulfilling continuing education (CE) norms is the most important prerequisite for Florida real estate license renewal. Before the first renewal, sales associates must complete 45 hours of CE and brokers 60 hours. Each subsequent renewal cycle requires 14 hours of CE. This is regardless of whether the Florida real estate license is Current/ Active or Current/Inactive.
However, CE is not required for active members who have a good standing with the Florida Bar. To avail this exemption, agents must have a copy of the Bar card or Bar card membership number. This number must be provided to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
The Process: How to Renew My Florida Real Estate License
There are four steps in how to renew my Florida real estate license.
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Complete Continuing Education (CE) Requirements: For real estate sales associates, the first license renewal requires 45 hours of CE. For subsequent years of license renewal, it is 14 hours of CE. For real estate brokers, it is a 60-hour post-license education. Complete the required hours before the expiry of the license.
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Create an account with Florida DBPR: This account is necessary for renewing your license online. Provide all the required particulars and enter your unique password.
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Link your current license: To renew your license or change the license status, first log into your DBPR account. Go to the relevant column and link your license to this online account. Give details of your business and license type, the last four digits of your security number, and confirm your credentials. Now choose the option for renewal.
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Renew your license: Pay the renewal fees and submit the required documents. The process to renew your license is complete.
You will have to go through these steps every two years for Florida real estate license renewal online.
Online Renewal for Florida Real Estate License
Benefits of Online Renewal Processes
Online processes are always beneficial regardless of what you might want to do. Renewing a real estate license in Florida is no exception.
All that you need to renew your license without even stepping out of your home is an Internet-connected device.
You have to log in to the Florida DBPR website and create an account. Link your existing license the first time and pay the fees. Upload the documents related to CE and you are through with license renewal.
You do not have to take time off to commute to designated offices to get the work done.
Repeat the same process every two years from anywhere and anytime. Renewing a real estate license in Florida is a breeze if you choose to do so online.
A Walkthrough of Florida Real Estate License Renewal Online
The main pre-requisite for renewal of a real estate license is completing continuing education (CE). After fulfilling all requirements, you are now ready to apply for the license online.
Next, create an account at the website Florida DBPR and provide the required information. These are name, contact information, email address, preferred ID, and a security question. After the account is created, a temporary password will be sent to you by email. Use this password to log in and change it to your unique one.
Log in to your DBPR online account and link your current license to it. The process is very simple. First, provide information on your business and the type of license. In the next step, enter the current license number and the last four digits of your Social Security number.
After confirming your credentials, your license will be linked to your online account.
Finally, choose the option and renew your license online by paying the fees and uploading supporting documents.
Beginning Your Real Estate Journey in Florida
Duration and Details: How Long to Get A Real Estate License in Florida
The average time to get a real estate license in Florida can be anywhere between 2 to 5 months. It depends on how fast you can go through the real estate license requirements. It all depends primarily on how much time you take to complete the 63-hour pre-licensing course. Some students may complete the course in a few weeks while others might take several months to do so.
After completing the coursework, getting the license takes 1 to 2 months. The time taken is for passing the Florida real estate exam, and finding a sponsoring broker.
What to Expect: How Long is the Real Estate Course in Florida
All aspiring real estate agents must complete 63 hours of pre-licensing coursework. It may either be online or classroom-based approved by the state board.
The course certification is valid for two years till the end of the first cycle after getting the license. Further CE is required for renewal. Several accredited schools in Florida offer quality prep materials for the real estate license exam.
Addressing Common Queries on Florida’s Real Estate Licensing
Clarifying Terminologies: License vs. License Renewal
Getting a real estate license is far different from Florida real estate license renewal. Let us understand the two terms individually now.
Go through the following steps to get a real estate license in Florida.
First, complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course and apply for a license Next, pass the real estate exam and find a broker to sponsor and mentor you. These rules vary from state to state in the USA.
It is different if you ask how to renew my Florida real estate license. You have to renew the license every 2 years with the expiry dates being either 31st March or 30th September. Real estate agents must complete 14 hours of continuing education In each cycle to renew the license.
Ensuring Compliance: Key Dates and Renewal Cycles
Let us understand the key dates and renewal cycles with an example.
The due dates for renewal are 31st March and 30th September valid for 24 months. The first cycle of renewal of your license depends on the date of first issue. If the license has been issued in June 2020, it has to be renewed after 18 months on 31st March 2022. Thereafter, the renewal will be in March every 2 years.
Complete continuing education (CE) within the cycles for license renewal. For real estate agents, it is 45 hours before the first renewal and 60 hours for a broker. Subsequently, 14 hours of CE will do for sales associates. Complete CE before the renewal dates crop up.
It is easy to navigate the process of renewing a real estate license in Florida if you follow the rules.