Getting a real estate license is one thing, but keeping it active is another. If you forget to renew your license, you won't be able to legally work as an agent. Let's jump right in to discover when and how to renew your Florida real estate license.
When Do You Need to Renew Your Florida Real Estate License?
You’ll need to renew your real estate license every two years. What's more, the renewal date is variable and is either March 31 or September 30 at midnight. If you miss renewing your license during this period, you’ll have to go through the pre-license steps again.
For your first license, make sure to note the expiration date. Typically, this is between 18 to 24 months after you received your license.
5 Steps to Renew Your Florida Real Estate License
When it is time to renew your license, make sure to follow the steps below.
1. Complete Education Requirements
Renewing your real estate license requires completing continuing education or a state-approved curriculum. Here is some information on education requirements for specific cases:
Real Estate Sales Associate for initial license renewal: 45-hour post-license education
Real Estate Brokers for initial license renewal: 60-hour post-license education
Succeeding renewals for Sales Associate and Brokers: 14 hours continuing education
You can take these courses either online or through classrooms. Make sure to check with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website for the list of approved courses and schools.
Additionally, you’ll have to complete your required education for the initial license renewal before your license expires. Otherwise, your license will be considered null and void.
You’ll need to go through the pre-license process again, complete the 63-hour course, and pass the exam. Check out Aceable for their list of pre-license courses.
Note: If you have at least a four-year degree in real estate, DBPR exempts you from the 45-hour and 60-hour post-license education for Sales Associates. Also, DBPR exempts those good standing Florida Bar members from the 14-hour continuing education requirement.
2. Create an Account at Florida DBPR
Before you can renew your license online, you need to create an account at the Florida DBPR website. Then, you’ll have to provide the following:
First and last name
Contact information
Email address
Preferred user ID
Security question and answer
After completing the online account creation, you’ll receive a temporary password through email. Use this password to log in to your account and set up your unique password.
3. Link Your Current License
Once you log in to your DBPR online account, you’ll have to link your current license to it. This allows you to use online services, such as renewal, new application, or changing your license status.
To do this, first, click on the “Link an Existing License/Applicant Record To My Account.” You’ll have to complete three steps from here:
Provide information of your business and license type
Enter identifying information, such as license number and last four digits of your Social Security number
Confirm your credentials
After these steps, you’ll have successfully linked your license to your online account. From there, you can choose the option to renew your license.
4. Renew Your License
Choose the option to renew your linked license at the DBPR Florida website. Make sure to read the instructions and follow those to the dot. You might need to upload supporting documents for your renewal application. The online service also offers the option to pay for the renewal fees.
5. Continuing Education
You’ll need to do these steps every two years after the first renewal. As such, make sure to complete the required continuing education courses before your license expires. Otherwise, your license becomes involuntarily inactive and you need to reactivate it.
Suppose your license has been inactive for less than 12 months. In that case, you only need to take the 14-hour continuing education to reactivate it. If it’s been inactive for more than 12 up to 24 months, a 28-hour continuing education is required.
Ultimately, you can only let your license inactive for up to 24 months. Beyond that, you need to start from scratch and apply for a license as if it’s your first time.