Florida is one of the busiest real estate markets in the country — Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and a steady stream of new residents keep agents in demand year-round. Compared to states like Texas, Florida’s path to a license is actually shorter: fewer required hours, a faster timeline, and lower upfront costs.

Here’s exactly what the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) and the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) require in 2026.

Before you enroll in a course, make sure you qualify. The DBPR requires that you:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have a high school diploma or GED
• Have a valid U.S. Social Security number

Florida also regulates the industry through two separate bodies, which can be confusing at first: FREC sets the education rules and standards, while the DBPR is the government agency that actually processes applications and issues your license.

One exemption worth knowing: active Florida Bar members and holders of a four-year (or higher) real estate degree can skip the 63-hour course — but everyone still has to pass the state exam.

Unlike Texas’s 180-hour requirement, Florida asks for a single 63-hour FREC-approved course covering real estate principles, practices, and law. Most people finish it online, at their own pace.

Course pricing ranges widely depending on the provider — budget $99–$249 for a self-paced online course, with the higher end covering more in-person support or Florida-specific extras.

You can submit your license application through the DBPR’s online portal while you’re still finishing your course — this is the single biggest way to shave weeks off your timeline. Here’s what it involves:

• DBPR application fee: $62.75
• Electronic fingerprinting (Livescan): roughly $50–$80

Once approved, you’ll receive an Authorization to Test (ATT) notice, which is what lets you actually schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.

The exam is administered in person at a Pearson VUE test center. Here’s what to expect:

• 100 multiple-choice questions — 45 on principles & practices, 45 on Florida and federal law, 10 on math
• Passing score: 75 out of 100 (75%)
• $36.75 exam fee per attempt
• Unlimited retakes — you only need to wait 24 hours between attempts

Most candidates spend 2–4 weeks studying after finishing the course before sitting the exam — pass rates vary noticeably by course provider, so it’s worth checking that track record before you enroll.

Like most states, Florida requires new sales associates to work under a licensed broker — you can’t practice independently. Activation happens through your broker or by submitting the DBPR-RE 11 form, and there’s no additional fee for this step.

Total Cost Breakdown

Optional but common: joining your local Realtor association runs roughly $677–$907 in the first year — it’s not legally required, but most working agents join because MLS access is often bundled with it.

What Happens After You’re Licensed?

Florida licenses renew every 2 years, on either March 31 or September 30 depending on when you were first licensed. Your first renewal requires post-license education — 45 hours for sales associates, 60 hours for brokers. After that, every renewal just needs 14 hours of continuing education (Florida Bar members in good standing are exempt from this requirement).

Frequently Asked Questions