Understanding the State of Florida Continuing Education Norms
Introduction to Continuing Education in Florida
Real estate is a competitive career, especially in Florida, which is one of the highly sought after markets in the country.
Over the years, Florida has continued to amass interest from homeowners and investors, thanks to its growing economy and beautiful landscapes. People from other states are migrating to Florida and the state has the highest net margin of migration across the country.
Florida’s real estate market is a great opportunity pool for aspiring as well as existing real estate agents, salespeople, and brokers.
If you are on the fence of renewing your existing broker’s license, now is a good time to get going. To do so, however, you will need to meet the state of Florida continuing education requirements.
Continuing education refers to a specialized learning program designed to enhance and update the existing knowledge and skills of real estate professionals.
According to the Florida Real Estate Commission, a licensed real estate broker is required to complete mandatory continuing education after every 2 years.
Importance of Continuing Education
Real estate is a fast moving, dynamic industry, and it demands the best from professionals. In return, the industry rewards the skilled ones with higher earning prospects and long-term career growth.
In order to sustain and grow in a highly competitive field like real estate, brokers need to continue to upskill and improve their knowledge.
This is where continuing education helps. Continuing education for Florida real estate professionals is more than just a way to renew your broker’s license and stay a part of Florida's real estate market.
It also helps brokers to avoid making their license null or void by the Florida Real Estate Commission. The state has the right to lapse your broker’s license if you fail to comply
Florida Real Estate Professionals Continuing Education
Overview of the Real Estate Industry in Florida
As of 2023, Florida’s housing market saw an increase of around 36% in homes for sale. Further, the median sale price for a house also increased by around 7% to reach ~$360K.
These stats point towards the growing potential for Florida’s real estate market. In Florida, the job market is projected to grow in areas such as Miami, Orlando and Tampa. A strong and expanding job market is a sign of opportunity for real estate brokers and investors.
Additionally, Florida’s diverse landscape and environment is lucrative for both residents and tourists.
The state’s economy is showing strong signs of growth across sectors such as - agriculture, tourism, technology and aerospace.
Finally, the lack of a state income tax in Florida is another factor which positively impacts the influx of migrants in the state.
All the above factors signify that Florida’s real estate market is on a roll and will continue to be lucrative for agents, brokers and investors for years to come.
Continuing Education for Real Estate Professionals
If you are an existing license holder in Texas, we understand that you have already invested time and money in your career.
This means you simply cannot afford to lose the momentum, and to avoid doing so, getting your license renewed is a must.
In order to renew your existing broker’s license, you will need to meet the continuing education requirements for a Florida real estate license.
Fulfilling continuing education requirements is the foremost step in your license renewal process. Here's a checklist of steps you need to follow:
- Enroll and successfully complete 45 hours of continuing education courses.
- Login to your Florida DBPR account or create one if you haven’t before.
- Link your current license details online using Florida DBPR.
- Pay the renewal fee and submit your license renewal application online.
Note that you will have to complete the above steps again after every year from the date of issue or the date of renewal of your broker’s license.
Continuing Education Norms for Florida Real Estate License
An Overall View of Florida Real Estate License Requirements
Getting a real estate license in Florida can be overwhelming for some, but if you follow the steps as listed below, it should not be a problem at all.
In fact, Florida is one of the states which allows even non-residents to apply for a real estate license!
Regardless of whether it is buying, selling, leasing, or renting properties in Florida, you must have a real estate license to carry out the activity. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation is the state’s regulatory and law enforcing agency.
As per FDBR, it is mandatory for every real estate professional to complete their pre-licensing education from a state approved education provider and hold a license.
Here are the minimum requirements you must fulfill obtain your Florida real estate license:
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Have a legal proof of residence as a US citizen or as a lawfully admitted alien
- Complete the required 63 hours of pre-licensing coursework
- Take and pass the Florida state licensing exam
- Submit the licensing application along with fingerprints and documents for verification
- Pay the licensing fee
- Find a sponsoring broker
Once you complete the above steps, you will have to wait for anywhere between a few weeks to a few months to get your license in your mailbox.
Definition of Continuing Education Requirements
As a rule of thumb, every real estate license holder will have to renew their license after every 24 months.
Continuing education requirements vary depending on what license you hold.
For example - for a sales agent, the continuing education duration for initial renewal will be 45 hours. On the other hand, to renew a broker’s license for the first time, one has to complete 60 hours of continuing education.
For agents who have more than 6 years of real estate experience, the license renewal and continuing education duration is only 20 hours.
So, what exactly constitutes the continuing education requirements for a Florida real estate license?
Nearly every licensed real estate professional has to undergo a mandatory 4 hour course on real estate laws and ethics. To complete the remaining 20 hours, you can opt for any of the elective courses.
Mandatory Continuing Education
In order to comply with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, it is mandatory for resident and non-resident real estate professionals to complete post licensing education.
The license renewal process is perpetual i.e. it must be renewed after every 2 years from the date of issue or from the date of renewal.
Note that in case continuing education is not completed post 2 years from the issuing date, the license will expire automatically.
Continuing Education Requirements for Florida Real Estate License
Process of Renewing A Florida Real Estate License
According to the Florida Real Estate Commission, Florida real estate license continuing education requirements are mandatory to complete in order to renew a license.
Out of the total coursework duration of 14 hours, you will have to complete the following:
- Florida Real Estate Law Core: 3 hours
- Real Estate Ethics and Business Practice: 3 hours
- Elective Courses: 8 hours
These courses are mandatory to ensure every real estate professional is up-to-date with the latest guidelines, regulations, laws and industry standards.
Continuing Education Credit Hours
You must complete continuing education of 14 hours as part of your real estate license renewal norms.
Unlike pre-licensing course hours requirements, the duration of continuing education for Florida real estate professionals is the same for salespeople, agents and brokers.
Generally, for real estate agents and brokers, a total of 14 hours of continuing education credit hours are mandatory for license renewal.
Specific Course Requirements
As part of the 14 hours of continuing education for Florida real estate license renewal, you must complete specific course hours for the following subjects:
- Florida Real Estate Law Core: 3 hours (mandatory)
- Real Estate and Business Ethics: 3 hours (mandatory)
- Specialty Elective Courses: 8 hours (mandatory)
Note that you must complete your continuing education course hours from a state-approved and accredited college or university or online course provider.
Florida Real Estate Broker Continuing Education Requirements
Real Estate Agent and Broker: The Primary Differences
A real estate agent and a real estate broker are similar to each other in terms of their duties and responsibilities.
However, there are important distinctions between the two which you must be aware of, especially if you are looking to start a career in real estate.
Let’s start with the similarities between the two - both real estate agents and brokers help prospective buyers and sellers on their buying and selling journeys.
Furthermore, both agents and brokers work on commission basis and take their cut from the total value of the transaction.
Let us now identify the main areas of differences between a real estate broker and a real estate agent.
Firstly, a real estate broker can work independently on their own, and they do not need supervision or administration for their day-to-day tasks. Additionally, a real estate broker does not need any sponsorship from a brokerage firm.
On the other hand, a real estate agent must find a sponsoring broker or firm to gain work experience and complete their licensing education.
Continuing Education for Real Estate Brokers
As per Florida Real Estate Commission, brokers in Florida looking to renew their license must complete a mandatory 14 hours of state of Florida continuing education.
The course hours must be completed by enrolling in a state-approved course provider, be it online or in-person.
If this is the first time you are renewing your broker’s license in Florida, then it is important to complete 3 hours of Real Estate Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices and 8 hours of speciality continuing education.
It is important to note that you can either complete the course hours by joining a college or university, or by enrolling in online course providers.
There are numerous choices available in Florida for quality education and in-depth training.
Yet, it is recommended you choose only a state-approved online course provider for your continuing education.