How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

The real estate industry in Florida is an exciting place to be! Florida is home to four of the top ten best cities in the U.S. in which to own investment property. And Florida real estate agents make more money than most agents nationwide! On average, a real estate agent in Florida can make upward of $60,000 a year, depending where you live.

Plus, real estate is one of the few industries in which you have unlimited income potential and no college degree required.

But the best part? Getting your Florida real estate license is a fairly simple and comparatively inexpensive process. Here’s how to become a real estate agent in Florida in five easy steps.

Step 1: Meet the basic qualification requirements

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) has a shortlist of basic requirements that need to be met by anyone wishing to pursue a career as a real estate agent.

You must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have a social security number

With these requirements met, you are ready to start learning more about the world of real estate.

Step 2: Complete your pre-licensing education

The state of Florida requires all real estate salespeople to complete a 63-hour pre-license real estate course. This course will teach you the real estate principles and practices you’ll need in your new career.

You can take this course from any state-approved educational provider, but choose your real estate school carefully. You need a school that will actually prepare you to pass the state exam (not just send you a textbook and wish you luck!). And if you are balancing a busy schedule, consider online schools that don’t require you to attend campus courses. Bonus points if the coursework is mobile-friendly so you can study directly from your phone or tablet!

Step 3: Apply for your real estate license

In Florida, you apply for your real estate license before you even take your real estate exam. The Florida DBPR will review your application and notify the exam provider if you are qualified to take the exam. To apply, simply submit the application along with an $83.75 application fee and proof of completing your pre-license education. Within about 30 days of applying, you’ll be notified if you’re approved to sit the real estate exam, which is administered by Pearson VUE.

Step 4: Pass the exam

DBPR provides a useful digital Candidate Information Booklet to give you a complete overview of the Florida real estate exam. This booklet will tell you what percentage of exam questions come from each topic of your real estate education so you can focus your study efforts.

You can schedule your exam directly with Pearson VUE. You’ll need to bring two forms of I.D., as well as proof of your education completion with you to the exam. You’ll need to get 75 out of 100 points to pass the exam.

Step 5: Activate your license

Once you pass your Florida real estate exam, you can print your Florida real estate license from the DBPR website. However, your license is inactive until you find a sponsoring broker to activate your license. Florida requires all real estate sales agents to operate under a supervising broker. So once you have chosen a broker, your new broker will complete the RE11 Sales Associate Form to activate your Florida real estate license.

And that’s it! You’re now ready to launch your new career as a Florida real estate agent!