Do I need a college degree?

No. Florida does not require a college degree. You only need a high school diploma or its equivalent, such as a GED. Fla. Stat. §475.17(1)(a) does not require the diploma to be a U.S. one.

Does a criminal record disqualify me?

Not by itself. A criminal record is not, on its own, a bar to licensure — DBPR reviews each application case by case, weighing the offense, how long ago it occurred, and your overall record.

How old do I have to be?

You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for a Florida real estate sales associate license.

Do I need to be a Florida resident?

No. Florida does not require residency. Non-residents can qualify for a Florida real estate license under the same requirements.

Florida Real Estate License Requirements

Q: How many hours of education are required?

You must complete a FREC-approved 63-hour pre-licensing course and pass its end-of-course exam before you can sit for the state exam.

To get licensed as a Florida real estate sales associate, you must meet the requirements set in Chapter 475 of the Florida Statutes and the rules of the Florida Real Estate Commission (Chapter 61J2, F.A.C.). Here's exactly what qualifies you.

By Scott Schubiner

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker & Instructor · Published July 8, 2026

A checklist of Florida real estate license requirements beside the Florida state outline

Basic eligibility

Before you can apply, Florida law requires that you meet a short list of baseline qualifications. You must:

Be at least 18 years old
Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED)
Have a U.S. Social Security number
Be honest, truthful, trustworthy, of good character, and have a good reputation for fair dealing

Florida law — § 475.17(1)(a), Fla. Stat.

"An applicant … must be at least 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, and be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and of good character …"

Read the full text

Education requirement

Every applicant must complete a FREC-approved 63-hour pre-licensing course and pass its end-of-course exam. You need a score of 70% to pass the course exam. This course is the foundation for everything on the state exam, so it's worth taking seriously rather than rushing through.

Background check

You must submit electronic fingerprints through a state-approved Livescan vendor so DBPR can run your background check. A criminal record does not, on its own, disqualify you — DBPR reviews each applicant's history individually, considering the nature and age of any offenses. If you have a record, it's best to disclose it fully and be prepared to provide supporting documentation.

The state exam

After DBPR approves your application, you'll schedule and take the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam at Pearson VUE. The exam has 100 questions, and you need 75% to pass. Thorough preparation and practice exams make a meaningful difference on test day.

Application

File the Sales Associate application (DBPR form RE 1) online at MyFloridaLicense.com along with the application fee ($62.75, read on DBPR form RE 1 on 2026-08-30 — verify the current amount on the DBPR fee schedule). Your fingerprints should already be on file with a Livescan vendor by the time you apply.

Ready to start? Take the 63-hour course

The FREC-approved pre-licensing course is your first requirement. Comet CE's is 100% online and self-paced.

View the Sales Associate Pre-License course

What about a broker license?

Broker requirements are higher. To become a Florida real estate broker, you must already hold an active sales-associate license, have at least 24 months of real-estate experience, and complete a FREC-approved 72-hour broker course. See our full guide on how to become a real estate broker in Florida.