Process to Obtain a Real Estate License in Florida
Step 1: Meet Eligibility Requirements
Ensure you meet the following requirements:
Be at least 18 years old.
Possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.
Have a Social Security number.
Complete a state-approved pre-licensing course.
Step 2: Complete Pre-Licensing Education
Enroll in a Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) approved pre-licensing course. The course must consist of 60 hours of instruction covering topics such as real estate principles, practices, and law.
Step 3: Pass Course Exam
After completing the pre-licensing course, you will be given (3) hours to take the end of course Exam. You must pass the course exam with a score of at least 70%. This exam evaluates your understanding of the material covered in the course and prepares you to take your State Exam.
Step 4: Submit Application (We often encourage you to complete these step on the first day of your course)
Complete and submit the Florida Real Estate License Application online through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. You can find that information HERE. You’ll need to provide personal information, including any criminal history, and pay the application fee (as of 10/2025 is $62.75).
Step 5: Get Fingerprinted
Schedule a fingerprinting appointment with a LiveScan Provider as this is necessary for DBPR to complete your background check. We HIGHLY recommend “The Fingerprint Chick” – you can utilize our discount by submitting this flyer!
Step 6: Pass State Exam
Once your application is approved and your fingerprints are cleared, you’ll receive an Authorization Notice allowing you to schedule the state licensing exam. The exam consists of 100 Questions and you must pass with a score of at least 75%.
Step 7: Find a Sponsoring Broker
Before you can activate your real estate license, you must affiliate with a licensed Florida real estate broker. Choose a broker who offers the support and resources you need to kick-start your real estate career.
Where recruiting is prohibited during course time, all of our of Instructors are more than happy to meet with you once you are officially licensed to provide contacts/resources that could be a good fit for you!
Find our BLOG HERE with (10) Questions you should ask every Broker you are interviewing!
Step 8: Activate Your License
Upon passing the state exam and finding a sponsoring broker, you can activate your real estate license. Your sponsoring broker will provide you with the necessary paperwork to submit to the DBPR, along with any additional fees required.
Step 9: Start Your Real Estate Career
Congratulations! You are now a licensed real estate salesperson in Florida. Begin building your client base, marketing your services, and assisting buyers and sellers with their real estate transactions under the guidance of your sponsoring broker.
Remember to stay updated on continuing education requirements to maintain your license in good standing and advance your career in the dynamic field of real estate.
[Note: Always refer to the official Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) website and consult with a professional for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the real estate licensing process.]
Approximate Costs will range from $1,200.00-$1,500.00 to truly get started as a licensed Real Estate Professional in Florida. Here are some examples of the cost (as of October 2025):
DBPR Licensing Fee: $62.75
63hr Pre Licensing Course: $450.00
PearsonVue State Exam: $36.75/attempt
Fingerprints: $85.00
Brokerage Onboarding Fee(s) – if applicable – $250.00 approx
NEFAR Board Dues if becoming a Realtor® and joining Northeast Florida Board: $917.00
RealMLS Dues if joining the primary MLS for Northeast Florida: $350.00
First Coast School of Real Estate proudly offers LIVE In-Person Courses at (3) of our Northeast Florida locations (Mandarin, Fleming Island and St Johns)!
Every course that we offer LIVE In-Person is also available via LIVE ZOOM — please note — All LIVE ZOOM participants must order their own book or come to the course on Day 1 to pick it up and MUST appear IN PERSON on the last day to take the Course Exam.
We are thrilled to rotate monthly our 8 day “CRASH COURSES” with a month-long Nights & Weekends Course.
Our “CRASH COURSES” follow a M/Tu/Wed/Thu format for (2) consecutive weeks from 9:00AM until 5:00PM with a (30) minute break for lunch. We often have optional Test Day for the 2nd Saturday to provide an extra study day in between.
Our Nights & Weekends Courses are 6:00PM-10:00PM on a T/Th and 9:00AM-5:00PM on a Saturday for (4) consecutive weeks.
If none of those options work for you, we also offer Online At-Your-Own Pace courses that are good for up to (1) year to complete prior to expiring.
The Course Exam is presented at the end of the 63hr Pre-Licensing Course and you must pass with a 70% or higher in order to be eligible to take your State Exam. If you were to fail your course exam, you will have the option to re-take it after a 30 day wait period. First Coast School of Real Estate offers re-takes with our next month’s class FREE of charge. A privately scheduled re-take exam is available, with an appointment, for a fee of $150.
The State Exam is presented by Pearson Vue and scheduled once you have received confirmation from DBPR that your license application has been approved and you have in your possession a Course Pass Letter from First Coast School of Real Estate certifying you met the hours of curriculum requirement as well as a passing grade of 70% or higher on the course exam. Should you fail your State Exam, you may retake it as often as you would like without a wait period. If you chose to review your missed answers with a Pearson Vue representative, you may be subject to a 30 day wait period before you can re-take the exam again.
You must pass the State Exam within (2) two years of passing your Course Exam or you will have to re-take the 63hr Pre-Licensing Course and reapply for your license through DBPR.
Income varies based on effort—many new agents earn $40K–$80K+ with strong training and hustle.
Most Florida Real Estate agents do not make a salary and are paid strictly off commission, which means you can either experience a feast or famine. When you get started it can take a few months to get your first commission check, which is why it is important to plan accordingly for your first few months in the business.
Some new agents opt to work for new construction Builders who oftentimes will offer a Salary & Benefits package as opposed to the typical 1099 agent lifestyle. There are LOTS of builders to chose from in Northeast Florida!
Becoming a Florida real estate agent isn’t just a career move; it’s an adventure filled with endless opportunities, fun, and fulfillment. Picture this: you’re not just selling properties; you’re selling dreams, sunshine, and a slice of the good life. Here’s why diving into the world of Florida real estate is not only professionally rewarding but also downright exciting:
Unlimited Income Potential: Forget about the glass ceiling – in Florida real estate, the sky’s the limit! As a real estate agent, your income potential knows no bounds. With each sale, you’re not just pocketing a commission; you’re opening doors to a financial future as bright as the Florida sun. From luxurious beachfront mansions to cozy condos in vibrant cities, every property you sell brings you closer to financial freedom.
Be Your Own Boss: Say goodbye to the nine-to-five grind and hello to the freedom of being your own boss. As a Florida real estate agent, you set your schedule, call the shots, and chart your own course. Whether you prefer to work from a beachside café or your home office overlooking the palm trees, the choice is yours. No more answering to a boss – you’re the captain of your ship, navigating the waves of the Florida real estate market with finesse and flair.
Relationships That Last a Lifetime: In Florida, relationships aren’t just built; they’re forged in the golden sands and sealed with a handshake. As a real estate agent, you have the privilege of guiding clients through one of the most significant decisions of their lives – finding their dream home. But it doesn’t end there. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned investors, you’re not just closing deals; you’re building relationships that last a lifetime. Your clients become more than just clients; they become friends, neighbors, and part of your Florida family.
So, why become a Florida real estate agent? Because it’s not just a job – it’s a journey filled with endless possibilities, independence, and the chance to make a lasting impact on the lives of others. So grab your sunglasses, slather on the sunscreen, and get ready to embark on the adventure of a lifetime in the Sunshine State!
Picture this: As of December 2023, the state pass rate for the Florida real estate license State Exam was cruising along at a steady 50%.
So, when it comes to choosing where to earn your real estate education, remember this golden rule: who you pick for your training journey truly matters.
Our Live In-Person Students for the (8)-(9) day CRASH COURSE carry the highest course pass rating for First Coast School of Real Estate. Coming in 2nd place for next highest course pass rating is our Live-In Person Students for our Nights & Weekends Course.
Tying in 3rd & 4th place are our LIVE ZOOM students for either format of the course.
Bringing up the rear are our Online-At-Your-Own-Pace Students. It’s not impossible, it’s just that much harder! At least (1) student in every one of our LIVE In-Person courses is coming to us from already taking the course online and failing to pass either the Course or State Exam.
It’s not just about numbers; it’s about success stories waiting to be written. We take your success seriously utilizing the latest & most up-to-date TOUGH curriculum that best prepares you to pass both Exams and begin your career!
Florida Real Estate licenses renew biennially, meaning every (2) two years.
The very first time you renew your license you will have had to complete 45 hours of Post-Licensing from a FREC approved provider, such as First Coast School of Real Estate. You will need to pass a Course Exam with a 70% of higher (NO State Exam this time!).
Every renewal cycle after that you must complete 14hrs of Continuing Education. Of those 14hrs, (3)hrs must be Core Law, (3)hrs must be Business Ethics & (3)hrs must be Fair Housing.
First Coast School of Real Estate proudly offers these courses twice a year just prior to the Spring Renewal Date (March 31st) and Fall Renewal Date (September 30th).
On average, it takes approximately (30) Thirty – (60) Sixty days start to finish to successfully begin to practice real estate in Florida!
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