Thinking About How Can I Get My Real Estate License in Florida? We have answers to your questions.
A career in Florida’s dynamic and attractive real estate market is a professional dream come true for thousands. If you have been considering choosing this profession and have been asking how can I get my real estate license in Florida, this in-depth guide is worth reading.
Starting a new career in a regulated industry like real estate might seem like a daunting challenge, especially for beginners.
However, this blog post will cover all the key aspects of what it takes to earn your Florida real estate license and how you can achieve your professional goals with confidence.
Let us start with the basics first and build a strong foundation from there so you can get complete clarity about pursuing the path of a licensed real estate agent in Florida.
The growing appeal and popularity of Florida real estate: How Can I Get My Real Estate License in Florida
Florida is renowned for its beautiful coastline, scenic beaches, diverse culture, and world-class entertainment and lifestyle choices.
Within the span of a decade, the average valuation of a home in FL has appreciated by around 160 percent, making it one of the fastest-growing markets in the country.
When compared to last year, home sales in Florida have also increased steadily and data from property listing sites and industry reports suggests that the future is brighter than ever.
The evolution of Florida real estate from a tourism-only market to a well-rounded destination for families, skilled workers, and retirees is a sign of the surge in its appeal.
Thanks to the growing population and a net positive migration rate, Florida continues to be one of the beacons for real estate growth in the country.
As the economic outlook continues to improve and the demand for tourism surges, Florida’s real estate prospects are poised to appreciate consistently in the coming future.
With increasing volumes, rising demand, a growing population, and favorable business policies, Florida’s real estate landscape is thriving and brimming with opportunities.
For aspiring real estate agents who are wondering about how can I get my real estate license in Florida and become a part of the state’s growth story, the time to start is now.
Did you know that the income prospects for real estate professionals in Florida are impressive, especially if you are amongst the top percentile?
As an entry-level real estate agent starting your career, you can expect to make around $70K annually and as you gain experience and grow your skills, your earnings can substantially grow to reach $90K after a year or two.
It is no surprise that the top real estate agents in the Sunshine State can earn as high as $150K to $180K after a decade of industry experience.
If you wish to be a part of a financially rewarding and fulfilling profession where you can realize your monetary dreams, look no further than a career in real estate.
Plus, if you aim to achieve professional autonomy, be your own boss, and find your own clients, then a career in FL real estate offers a high degree of independence.
To unlock the potential and tap into the lucrative opportunities offered by Florida’s flourishing real estate market, you must earn your salesperson license first.
As per state law, only licensed individuals are allowed to represent clients and earn commissions through real estate deals.
Given the high income prospects and virtually limitless potential to make money, you might already be wondering how do I get my real estate license in Florida seamlessly.
Keep on reading to find out what it takes to start your career as a beginner and meet the various state and federal license requirements.
Steps to get your Florida real estate license
If you are ready to start your journey to become licensed and want to know how to get a Florida real estate license, the step-by-step process is outlined and described below.
Step 1: Fulfill the basic eligibility criteria
To learn how to qualify for a Florida salesperson license, including how can I get my real estate license in Florida, it is important to fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements established by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). These are:
● You must be at least 18 years or older in age
● You must have a high school diploma in education or a GED equivalent
● You must have a legal proof of residency in Florida
It is recommended that you take a fitness determination test to ensure you fully meet the basic statutory requirements before committing to the journey of getting licensed.
Step 2: Complete Florida pre-licensing education
If you are planning how to get a FL real estate license, then be prepared to complete minimum qualifying education and training.
Like other professions, you must be familiar with the key principles, especially the state and federal laws to work with clients.
As per the FREC, all applicants must complete 63 hours of state-approved pre-license education and training to qualify for a salesperson license.
Pre-license education refers to a structured curriculum of courses and programs to give you knowledge of the principles of real estate, the underlying laws, industry regulations, and professional standards for working with clients.
By completing pre-license courses, you will gain the necessary knowledge and build a strong foundation to assist clients in a professional manner.
Real estate is a competitive industry and to build a thriving career, you must be fully aware of the industry’s best practices, processes, and operating principles.
Completing pre-licensing education will not only help you meet the educational requirement, but it will also prepare you for the real estate licensing exam in FL.
The 63 hours of Florida salesperson coursework will cover foundational topics and fundamental subjects such as - real estate principles, state and federal laws, consumer rights, and ethics among many others.
If you're wondering, how can I get my real estate license in Florida, you are free to choose between a physical classroom-based learning or an online real estate pre-license course to complete your education.
Irrespective of your desired medium of content delivery and learning, you must ensure that you choose a state-approved education provider.
Another important factor to keep in mind before deciding on an education provider is to check your instructor and teachers’ profile and the pass rate of the college or course.
Step 3: Pass the Florida salesperson license exam
If you are thinking about how to get your FL real estate license easily, then you must complete a crucial and mandatory step which is passing the state license test.
The Florida state law requires every individual to take the salesperson licensing exam and prove their knowledge and preparation by passing the same.
To schedule the test, you can visit the FREC website and choose a preferred day and date at your convenience.
The purpose of the salesperson license exam is to evaluate your level of knowledge of the topics and courses covered during your pre-license courses.
The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions covering both state and national-specific portions and you will get a total of 210 minutes to complete the test.
To pass the exam, you must score at least 75% or above and if you are unable to pass the test on your first attempt, you can also reschedule it.
Step 4: Clear the federal background check
In the quest to find the answer to the important question - how to get a Florida real estate license - you will have to complete many steps and one of them is to prove good moral conduct.
As per the FREC license regulations, it is important to meet the standards of honesty, integrity, and truthfulness to work with clients.
To obtain your Florida salesperson license, you must clear mandatory federal background and criminal history checks and prove that you have no history of felony or criminal acts.
To complete this step in the process of learning how can I get my real estate license in Florida, you need to submit an electronic scan of your fingerprints taken at a live fingerprint scan center to the Florida DBPR for clearance.
Along with your fingerprint scan, you can also submit your Florida salesperson license application for review.
Once all your documents are approved, you will receive your FL salesperson license within a few weeks.
Step 5: Find employer sponsorship
We hope by now you have got all the answers to your original question of how do I get a real estate license in Florida.
Note that after receiving your real estate license, you still have to complete one last step to start working with clients.
You must find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm licensed in Florida that will be willing to sponsor your employment.
As per Florida law, newly licensed real estate agents must work under the supervision of a state-licensed real estate broker to gain practical industry experience.