If you’d like to become a real estate agent in Florida, it helps to understand everything involved before you start the process. Here, we’ll cover the benefits of the profession as well as everything that is required to receive your license.
There are a number of steps in the Florida real estate licensing process, so we’ve broken it down to keep things simple. To get your license, you will need to:
Step 1: Complete Pre-License Education
Step 2: Pass the Course Exam
Step 3: Complete a Background Check
Step 4: Submit a Real Estate License Application
Step 5: Pass the Florida Real Estate Licensing Exam
Before explaining each step, consider if becoming a Florida real estate agent is right for you.
The Benefits of Working as a Florida Real Estate Agent
At salary.com, the average salary for a real estate agent in Florida is listed as $40,000 to $52,000 per year. This varies depending on your commission percentage, the number of homes you sell, if you have any caps, what your split is with your broker, and the value of the homes sold.
In Florida, the average price of a home is around $249,189. Real estate agents often make a 5% commission on sales, which would be $12,000.
Salary aside, becoming a real estate agent includes these other benefits:
- Flexibility in your schedule
- Unlimited income potential
- Career mobility
- Helping people
- Familiarity with your community and neighborhoods
- Varying environments and tasks
If this sounds like a good fit for you, these are the things you should consider next.
Do You Prequalify?
To prequalify as an Florida real estate agent, you need to:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Have a United States Social Security number
As long as you meet these prerequisites, you can take the next steps towards obtaining your license.
1. Complete Pre-License Education
To qualify as a real estate agent in Florida. you need to complete 63 hours of pre-license education. This course can be taken in a live classroom or online, and there are a number of real estate institutes available across Florida.
The course topics include:
- license law
- agency law
- real property ownership
- finance and closing
- marketing regulations
- property management
- real estate calculations
2. Pass the Course Exam
The final course exam can be scheduled through the real estate school that you take classes through. To pass the exam and earn your certificate, you need to get a score of at least 70%. Once you pass you will receive a School Completion Certificate – this will be valid for two years, and you need to submit your completed real estate license application within 6 months of passing the course exam.
The exam topics include:
- Licensing Requirements
- State Laws and Rules
- Contracts
- Leasing and Property Management
- Transfer of Title
3. Complete a Background Check
To apply for your Florida real estate license, you need to complete a background check with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations. This needs to be done at least 5 days before continuing to the next step.
You can find a list of vendors for fingerprinting here, provided by The Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The criminal report usually costs between $50 and $80.
4. Submit a Real Estate License Application
In Florida, you need to complete and submit your real estate license application before registering for the Florida Real Estate Salesperson Exam. You will submit your license application with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
After applying for your new license at the DBPR website, Pearson VUE (an outside agency) will email you if your application is approved. This usually takes 10-30 days. The email will include an authorization notice and the next steps you will need to register for the final licensing exam. You can pay the application fee of $83.75 online or by mail.
5. Pass the Florida Real Estate Licensing Exam
Once you’ve received your application approval email, you can apply to take the Florida Real Estate Salesperson Exam. This will be administered by Pearson VUE. You can schedule your exam online at Pearson’s website, or by phone at 888-204-6289. The fee for the exam is $36.75.
On the day of the exam, you will need to bring:
- Two (2) forms of ID.
- Certificate of Pre-Licensing Education Completion
- Authorization Notice
Once you’re in the exam site, you will need to place all electronic devices, bulky clothing, and other personal items in a secure location. You will then sit at a computer to take the test. If you’re testing remotely, the proctor will ask you to scan your testing area with your device camera to confirm personal belongings and other devices are stored.
The exam is split into three parts: a general real estate practices and principles portion with 45 questions, a Florida-specific real estate portion with 45 questions, and 10 real estate math questions (for a total of 100 questions). The exam topics include:
- Florida real estate laws
- Contracts
- Brokerage management
- Real estate investment
To pass this exam, you need to get a score of at least 70%. Your score will be given to you as soon as the exam is completed.
You can find more information on the Florida Real Estate Exam on Pearson VUE’s Florida Real Estate page.
Once you’ve completed all of these steps successfully, you will receive your Florida Real Estate Agent License. At this point, you might want to consider if you’re interested in becoming a Realtor. Here is what that means:
Real Estate Agent vs Realtor: What’s the difference?
For a real estate agent to become a Realtor, they need to become a member of the National Association of Realtors®. The NAR is an organization for real estate agents and other industry professionals. Members are required to subscribe to standards and a code of ethics set by the association. Membership offers access to market data and transaction management services, and other benefits.
To become a part of this community, these are the steps you need to take:
- Get your state real estate license
- Join your local REALTORS® Association – find one close to you with their “find an association” tool
- Pay the application fee – this varies by association
- Maintain membership dues – to keep your title of REALTOR®, you need to pay an annual fee of $150
Become a top Real Estate Agent!
Now that you’re a Real Estate Agent. You’ll need a website to show off your listings, attract buyers and sellers and if your ambitious get real estate coaching or digital marketing from some of the best in the field. Reach out to us at RE Digital to learn how we can help you become a top performer.
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