Your step by step guide to starting a career in Florida real estate

With a median selling price of $450K and above, Florida’s housing market has been on a roll and so have been the average number of homes sold in the last few years. 

Due to the strong demand for single-family homes and rental vacation properties, Florida real estate continues to be a popular market for real estate agents and brokers. 

Historically, the Peach State has witnessed double-digit growth every year, thanks to the number of tourism-driven visits to the state. 

However, the market is now emerging as a popular choice for homebuyers and retirees who are attracted by the state’s lack of income tax for residents and a warm, temperate climate. 

Florida’s population is expected to grow significantly in the coming years and market estimates that housing prices will follow suit and rise steadily in the next five years. 

These trends and statistics indicate that working in Florida’s strong and attractive real estate landscape could be beneficial and lucrative in the short and long term. 

If you are considering a career in FL real estate, now is a good time to plan your future and enter the market as a real estate agent. 

The best part is that you do not need to get years of education or a college degree or complete any highly advanced training to work as a real estate agent. 

As long as you have a valid Florida real estate license, you can work with clients and embark on a fulfilling, rewarding career journey. 

To help you get started, we have put together this in-depth article which covers everything you need to know about starting a career in Florida real estate. 

From eligibility requirements to mandatory pre-licensing courses, we will outline all the steps involved in getting your real estate license. 

Benefits of getting a real estate license in Florida

Florida is home to thousands of licensed real estate agents and brokers and the Peach State offers a diverse landscape for earning commissions and making good money.

You might wonder if getting a license is worth it or not, especially since it requires you to complete a series of requirements and prove your eligibility. 

The cost to obtain a license might seem high to some individuals, especially if you aim to work as a part-time real estate agent. 

Despite the initial investment and time it requires, getting a license is well worth the effort in many ways, especially if you want to be compliant with the state and federal laws. 

In addition to meeting the legal and regulatory requirements, here are some additional advantages of getting a real estate license in Florida that you must consider. 

• Having a license will prove your commitment to your profession and make you come across as more professional. 
• Only licensed professionals are allowed access to industry groups, associations, and exclusive networking events.
• Licensed real estate agents are perceived as more trustworthy and skilled by clients which ultimately affects your earnings and career prospects. 
• With a real estate license, you will be considered more employable and sought-after in the job market. 
• A real estate license gives you the freedom to work for yourself and find your own clients without being dependent on a licensed broker or firm. 
• With a real estate license, you can work legally anywhere in the state and charge a commission for closing deals. 

Clearly, having a license will set you up for success in real estate and give you the opportunity to build a thriving, long-term career. 

When it comes to getting a license, you can basically apply for two license types - one is the salesperson license and the other is the broker’s license. 

To start with, you must obtain a salesperson license first and enter the industry as a real estate salesperson. 

After you have worked in the industry and gained real-world experience, you can apply for a broker’s license by completing additional education. 

If you are a resident of Florida and are ready to join the real estate industry, we have put together the exact steps you must complete. 

Meeting the basic eligibility requirements for a Florida real estate license

One of the most important licensing requirements is to complete a Florida real estate license course and acquire the mandatory education and training. 

However, before you start planning for your pre-licensing education, it is important to ensure that you meet the basic eligibility requirements. 

Like most states, Florida has enforced a set of eligibility requirements for aspiring real estate salespersons and brokers. 

The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the state’s authority for issuing and renewing real estate licenses to individuals. 

As per the FREC, the minimum age, legal, and educational eligibility requirements are: 

• You must be at least 18 years of age or older.
• You must be a legal citizen of the US or a lawfully residing alien.
• You should have a high school diploma or GED equivalent in education
• You must not have any criminal history, and act of felony 

Every applicant is required to follow and fulfill the above statutory requirements in order to qualify for a salesperson license in Florida. 

Note that if you have any history of any criminal activity or felony, you should disclose it during your federal background check. 

Depending upon the act and its severity, the FREC may or may not reject or approve your application. 

If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can proceed to complete the next step in your licensing journey which is completing your education and training. 

Completing pre-licensing education for a salesperson license 

Real estate is a diverse and ever-evolving industry with a range of rules, regulations, state and federal laws and guidelines. 

Working in real estate requires you to obtain a minimum level of knowledge of how the industry works, its principles, processes, and key functions. 

Education is the core foundation to building a thriving and successful career, especially in a dynamic and competitive field like real estate.

To ensure this, the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) has made it mandatory for all applicants to complete minimum qualifying education to become eligible for a license. 

The FREC has made it mandatory for every applicant to complete a minimum of 63 hours of course credits, also known as, pre-licensing education. 

In Florida, there are a number of real estate schools, colleges, and course providers to choose from. 

You are free to choose an in-person, classroom-based real estate college or enroll in an online real estate prep course to complete 63 hours of course credits. 

Note that before you choose a Florida real estate course, make sure that your education provider of choice is approved by the FREC. To find a list of approved education providers, you can visit the FREC website for more details. 

After completing your pre-license sales associate education, you will obtain a certificate of completion from your education provider. 

There is an exception to the pre-licensing qualifying requirements in the event that an applicant already has a four-year degree in real estate or a related field. 

In such a case, you are not required to complete any education and you can simply proceed to the next step. 

Passing the Florida sales associate licensing test

Once you have acquired the mandatory education from a real estate college or an online Florida real estate course, the next challenge is to take the sales associate licensing exam. 

Like most states, Florida requires all students and applicants to prove their knowledge and preparation by passing the salesperson licensing exam.

To obtain a salesperson or broker’s license, you must first pass the FL licensing exam by scoring the minimum passing percentage of at least 75 percent or above. 

It is a closed book, multiple choice questions-based test and the total duration of the test is 3 hours within which you have to attempt 100 questions. 

The real estate licensing exam consists of two sections - the state-specific and the national portion. 

The exam is formulated to test your knowledge of the general topics, laws, and regulations of real estate and your profession. 

Some of the commonly asked questions are based on the following topics: 

• Federal and State Laws
• Real Estate Business
• Real Estate Contracts
• Types of Mortgages
• Titles, Deeds, and Ownership Types
• Real Estate Finance
• Property rights
• Real Estate Appraisal
• Violations of Real Estate Laws, Penalties and Procedures

You can take the Florida real estate sales associate exam in person at any of the Pearson Vue examination centers in the state. 

In case you are wondering, failure to clear the test will result in non-issuance of a license. 

However, if you are unable to pass the test on your first attempt, you can take another attempt by paying the exam fees again. 

How difficult is the Florida sales associate licensing exam

There are many factors that influence the difficulty of the sales associate test in Florida, however, the common perception is that passing the exam on the first attempt is difficult. 

With that said, the level of difficulty of the test depends entirely on your preparation level. 

Students who are thoroughly prepared with a solid grasp of the pre-licensing course topics are less likely to think of the exam as daunting or difficult. 

If you practice using mock tests and sample questions, you can get better at understanding the exam format and the type of questions you can expect to face in the test. 

Generally, students who take exam prep courses and study using proven exam preparation resources feel more confident and often find the exam less challenging.

Licensing Test Preparation Tips for Aspiring Agents

• Understand the format of the exam

The most important tip to face any exam is to understand its format and structure and the type of questions it covers.  

The first step of your preparation for the Florida sales associate licensing exam should be understanding how the test is conducted and what languages are supported. 

• Review Course Notes

A few days before the day of the exam, make sure to go over the course materials with the goal of reviewing them and giving a final glance at key topics and notes. 

Most real estate colleges and exam test prep courses provide exam-specific learning resources to help students practice better which you can make use of for preparation. 

• Make a learning schedule

Preparing for the Florida salesperson licensing test can be mentally and physically overwhelming for many students, especially for those who do not plan their study schedule. 

Creating a well-defined study helps you pace your learning over a sustained period of time in a structured way. 

A schedule helps you stay on top of multiple topics so you can avoid stress and ensure that each topic gets enough time and attention.