It might have been a man’s world just a few short years ago, but women are reclaiming ground. And that’s especially apparent in the real estate industry, where over 60% of licensed Realtors are women. Want to get in on this fast-growing industry? Here’s everything you need to know about getting your Florida real estate license and keeping it active.
How to get a Florida real estate license
In order to work as a real estate agent in the state of Florida, you have to get a license from the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR). It’s a multi-step process, but it shouldn’t take you more than a couple of months. And that includes waiting on the DBPR to approve your initial application.
Here are the steps you’ll need to take.
Step #1: Get fingerprinted
To make sure your background checks out, the state uses your fingerprints. So before you can send in your initial application (see the next step for more info), you’ll need to go get fingerprinted from a state-approved Livescan service provider.
Step #2: Apply for your real estate exam
Next, you send an application — along with your fingerprints — to the DBPR. This lets them know that you want to take the required Florida real estate exam. They use the info you put on this application to make sure you meet the requirements to become a real estate agent, like the basic education requirements (a high school degree). You can send this application online.
It usually takes the state 30 days to process your initial application. Pro tip: use that time to get started on the next step, your Florida pre-license education hours.
Step #3: Complete your Florida sales associate license course
To make sure you know your stuff when it comes to buying and selling houses, Florida requires that you take 63 hours of pre-license education courses. But don’t worry — you won’t have to go to the classroom. You can take the required course hours at your computer and at your own pace from a state-approved online pre-license education provider.
Step #4: Pass the Florida real estate sales associate exam
Next up, it’s test time. All the previous steps have been leading you to this moment. And don’t stress. Your 63 hours of education taught you everything you need to know to pass the exam, plus a passing grade is just 75%.
Once your application to take the exam is approved by the state (remember that piece from Step #2?), you can go to the Pearson VUE website and create an account to sign up for your exam.
Step #5: Find a broker to hire you
After you pass your exam, it’s time to find a job. You’ll need to work under a broker, so find an individual broker or a real estate company to hire you and sign your license activation application. With that, your license is active and you’re ready to start buying and selling!
Keeping your Florida real estate license active
But don’t stop there. To ensure you keep up on the latest in the real estate industry, the DBPR requires that you take a certain number of continuing education (CE) hours periodically. As a Florida real estate sales associate, you’re mandated to complete 14 hours of CE every two years. And good news: you can do it online. The state approves online continuing education providers so keeping your license active isn’t a hassle.
Once you’re done with your required hours, you can use the DBPR’s online portal to file your renewal and keep your license active.
Pretty easy, right? If a career in real estate interests you, use this guide and you’ll have no trouble getting — and keeping — your Florida real estate license.