Florida’s real estate market offers profitable opportunities for those willing to work hard and close successful property transactions. Does Florida require a real estate license? Read on to find out.
Does Florida Require a Real Estate License? – The Verdict
Real estate professionals must obtain adequate licensing to work in Florida. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is charged with regulating and licensing real estate professionals.
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the branch of the DBPR responsible for administering and enforcing real estate licensing laws within state jurisdiction. Another important aspect of the FREC is the education of licensees.
How to Apply for Real Estate License in Florida – An Overview
Pre-Licensure Course
The first step to applying for a real estate license with the FREC is to engage in a pre-licensure sales associate course approved by state law. This 63-hour course is focused on the essentials of real estate laws, professional principles, and practice, with costs ranging from $100 to $500.
Applicants have the option to go through an online course or attend the course in a classroom of a real estate school or realtor association located anywhere across the state of Florida.
After completing the course, the applicant must apply to take a professional exam. Please note that individuals licensed to practice law in Florida can waive the pre-licensure course requirement, going directly to the exam.
Applying for the Real Estate Exam
The next step is to apply for the real estate exam. At least 5 days before the applicant submits the license application to the DBPR, he or she must get electronic fingerprints for a background check.
With the fingerprints ready and the required forms filled out, the applicant must submit the application to the DBPR with an $83.75 fee (payable online or by mail with a check or money order).
Once the application is approved, the Department will notify the applicant by email. This process usually takes 10 days to one month to complete.
Passing the Real Estate Exam
Industry-leading selection company Pearson VUE is responsible for overseeing the real estate exam in Florida. The cost per exam is $36.75.
Applicants must pay attention to their email accounts to receive a notification titled “Authorization to Test,” which confirms the applicant’s eligibility to go through the test. In this email, the applicant will find a unique nine-digit ID number, which he or she must use to sign up for the exam.
To schedule an exam, applicants must visit PersonVue.com. The exam can be held in different locations in Florida.
Only applicants who score at least 75 out of 100 points pass the exam. After a successful exam, the new licensee can download and print a copy of the license at DBPR’s official website.
The validity of a new real estate license ranges between 10 to 24 months, depending on the licensee’s date of approval in the exam. Please note that a Florida real estate license is not considered “active” until the new licensee associates with a licensed broker.
After associating with a licensed broker, he or she can sponsor the new licensee and activate the license using Form DBPR RE 11 (Sales Associate or Broker Sales Associate).
Do You Want to Get a Real Estate License in Florida? – Immediately Contact Jurado & Associates, P.A.
A well-versed licensing attorney from Jurado & Associates, P.A. is willing to help you succeed. Contact us today by calling (305) 921-976 or emailing [email protected] for expert legal guidance.
