Your guide to starting a career in Florida real estate
One of the most exciting and rewarding careers, real estate offers a dynamic and fulfilling professional path to thousands of agents, brokers, and realtors in Florida.
Florida’s steady real estate landscape continues to attract the interests and attention of homebuyers and affluent investors from across the country.
Thanks to the picturesque natural views, diverse culture, growing population, and a myriad of exciting entertainment and leisure options, the Peach State’s popularity knows no bounds.
Tourism is one of the most important factors behind Florida’s allure and charm as the state continues to witness consecutive quarters with record tourist visits.
Plus, Florida levies no personal tax on residents, making it a preferable option for both the average and the wealthy buyer who wants to take advantage of this benefit.
Currently, Florida stands out as one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the country, making it a fertile space for aspiring and experienced real estate professionals.
If you are looking to start a career in FL real estate, now could be a good time to enter the market and reap the benefits of the strong demand and steady interest.
Working in Florida real estate can be incredibly rewarding, whether you want to join real estate part-time or make it your full-time career path.
However, to work with clients and help them buy or sell real estate, you must first meet the state-specific licensing requirements and obtain your Florida real estate license.
Getting a license is mandatory for all individuals who want to legally assist clients in buying or selling residential or commercial real estate.
With a real estate license, you will be allowed to work anywhere in the state without any limitations or restrictions.
If you are keen to learn more about the licensing process and what exactly it takes to get one, our in-depth guide will answer all your questions.
In this article, we will walk you through all the steps, including Florida licensing requirements to help you start your career in real estate with confidence.
Why choose a career in Florida real estate
Do you like to help people buy and sell properties and achieve their home ownership goals?
Maybe you are excited to find your own clients and build your own real estate business or firm in the future.
There are many reasons and motivations behind people choosing to work in real estate.
Before we go into the details of how to obtain a real estate license in Florida, it is important to understand why you should invest the time, effort, and costs required to get one.
A career in real estate offers numerous paths and opportunities for both part-time and full-time as a result the profession continues to attract newcomers as well as experienced professionals from other fields.
Since the past decade, Florida’s real estate landscape has expanded significantly and now offers numerous career opportunities and growth prospects.
Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Naples, and Jacksonville are some of the most robust and popular real estate markets that continue to see high demand.
Florida’s strong economic growth, booming tourism, and diverse climate have positioned it as a favorable location for migrants, homebuyers, and real estate investors.
The steady influx of individuals and businesses gives a boost to Florida's residential, commercial, and rental real estate landscape, which in turn, bolsters income and commission opportunities for agents and brokers.
The rewards of working in real estate are immensely exciting - after a few years of experience, you can choose to be your own boss and work autonomously.
Plus, a career in real estate gives you the freedom to earn without any income cap because the more deals you close, the more money you make.
Imagine earning around 5 to 6 percent of commission on a property’s selling price worth $600K as a real estate agent or broker.
The average selling price of a Florida home has increased by around 10 percent since last year, it has become even more lucrative for aspiring agents who want to join the industry.
Clearly, the attractive career prospects and flourishing economy of Florida can be a great proposition if you are considering becoming a real estate agent.
If you are excited by the benefits and growth opportunities and are already wondering how can I get my real estate license in Florida, let us take a detailed look into the state-specific licensing requirements for aspiring agents.
Completing the education and licensing requirements
Whether you want to work part-time or full-time in real estate, having the minimum qualifying education is a must to work with clients.
Real estate is a competitive industry and education is the foundation upon which you will build a successful and thriving career.
Completing the required education will not only make you more confident and knowledgeable at what you do, but it will also open doors for business and client opportunities.
Like most states, Florida has its unique set of qualifying education and licensing requirements which you must fulfill to obtain your salesperson or broker’s license.
In Florida, the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) will oversee issuing and renewing your real estate license.
FREC establishes and enforces the various licensing guidelines, requirements, and best practices for applicants.
At the start of your career, you will have to first obtain a salesperson license to enter the industry. Once you gain enough industry experience, you can apply and upgrade to a broker’s license.
Irrespective of whether you want to become an agent or a broker, you must fulfill the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for a real estate license in Florida.
- Be at least 18 years of age or older
- Be a legal resident of Florida or a lawfully admitted alien
- Have a high school diploma in education or GED equivalent
- Have a clean background with no criminal history or act of felony
If you meet the above statutory requirements, only then should you proceed to complete the next steps.
However, if you fulfill the above eligibility requirements and are wondering how do I get my real estate license in Florida, the next step is to complete the minimum level of education and training to work in real estate.
The FREC requires all applicants to complete 63 hours of state-approved course credits, also known as pre-licensing education to become eligible for a salesperson license.
It is mandatory for all applicants to complete pre-licensing education within one year of applying for a salesperson license.
Note that you have the flexibility to complete 63 hours of coursework depending on your preferred learning medium.
This means you can choose to join an in-person, classroom-based learning program or enroll in an online Florida real estate course to learn from anywhere.
Most students choose online real estate pre-licensing courses in Florida as they are more convenient and you can complete them at your own desired pace.
Typically, completing a pre-licensing education can cost you anywhere from $200 to $600 and the price varies by factors such as - course duration, study package, and so forth.
If you are a complete beginner, you might wonder whether completing pre-licensing education is simply a requirement to be ticked off the checklist to become an agent or is there any practical benefit too.
The purpose of pre-licensing education for real estate agents is to provide you with a detailed view of how the industry works and give you an understanding of the various laws, regulations, and guidelines that are crucial to working in the industry.
As part of your training, you will learn about the fundamental topics and courses such as:
Listed below are some of the key topics and subjects you will learn about in your 63 hours of pre-licensing education.
- Principles of Real Estate
- Federal and State Laws
- Real Estate Finance
- Laws of Agency
- Contract Forms
Completing the courses will prepare you for the next key step in your licensing journey which is the Florida salesperson licensing exam. Let’s take a detailed look at the exam next.
Passing the Florida salesperson licensing exam
To become a licensed salesperson (agent) in Florida, you must pass the salesperson licensing exam as per the FREC guidelines and requirements.
You can schedule the exam by making an appointment on the FREC website and scheduling the exam day and date as per your preference.
The Florida real estate licensing exam is designed to test your understanding of general real estate topics, state and federal laws, and core industry concepts.
It is a closed book test and the total duration of the exam is 3.5 hours and you have to cover 100 questions in total. To pass the exam, you must score at least 75 percent or above.
In case you are wondering, failure to clear the exam will result in the non-issuance of a license.
However, if you do not clear the Florida real estate exam on the first attempt, you can re-appear for the exam by paying the exam attempt fee of $37 for a new attempt.
For many aspiring agents and preparing students, clearing the Florida salesperson licensing exam on their first attempt might seem like a difficult challenge.
It can be overwhelming for many students to complete multiple courses and prepare for state and national-specific portions of the real estate exam.
The fact is - passing the salesperson licensing test in Florida is not impossible if you plan and prepare well. In fact, many students are able to clear it in their first attempt as well.
Like any test, with proper preparation and enough practice, you can give it your best attempt and boost your chances of success.
If you are thoroughly prepared and have a solid grasp of the pre-licensing course topics are less likely to think of the exam as daunting or difficult.
Plus, if you make use of practice tests and sample questions, you can actually be more comfortable with what to expect on the day of the exam.
Another key factor that can influence your success in the licensing test is whether you are self-studying or learning from a college or an online course provider.
It is no surprise that students who enroll in real estate prep courses and make use of study materials provided by real estate schools find the exam manageable and less complex.
Lastly, you must learn to manage your time well and practice time management techniques if you want to pass the test.
Since it is a time-bound test with multiple questions, you must practice giving each question the right amount of time and ensure that you can attempt as many questions as possible.