How long does it take to become a real estate agent in Florida?

Most people complete the process in 2–4 months. The 63-hour course can be finished in a couple of weeks of focused study; the rest of the time is application review, background check, and scheduling the state exam.

How much does it cost to get a Florida real estate license?

Plan for the course price plus three outside fees: the DBPR application ($62.75 on form RE 1), electronic fingerprinting through a Livescan vendor, and the Florida state examination. Fingerprinting is set by the vendor and the exam fee by Pearson VUE, so confirm both with them — we do not quote figures we cannot source. See the breakdown above.

Do I need a high school diploma to get a Florida real estate license?

Yes. Florida requires a high school diploma or its equivalent (such as a GED), along with being at least 18 and holding a Social Security number. Fla. Stat. §475.17(1)(a) does not require the diploma to be a U.S. one.

How hard is the Florida real estate exam?

The Florida sales associate exam is challenging — first-time pass rates hover around 50%. It has 100 questions and you need 75% to pass. Thorough course preparation and practice exams make a big difference.

Do I have to work under a broker?

Yes. A Florida sales associate must be licensed under an active real estate broker. Your license stays inactive until a broker links it to their brokerage.

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

A step-by-step guide to earning your Florida real estate sales associate license — the 63-hour course, the DBPR application, fingerprints, the state exam, and activating under a broker.

By Scott Schubiner

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker & Instructor · Published July 1, 2026

A new Florida real estate sales associate holding a For Sale sign outside a Florida home

Who can get a Florida real estate license?

Florida's qualifications for licensure are set in Chapter 475 of the Florida Statutes. 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 and … have a good reputation for fair dealing …"

Read the full text

The 5 steps to your license

1Complete the 63-hour pre-licensing course. Finish a FREC-approved 63-hour Sales Associate pre-licensing course and pass its end-of-course exam.
2Get your fingerprints taken. Submit electronic fingerprints through a state-approved Livescan vendor for your background check, ideally at least 5 days before you apply.
3Submit your DBPR application. File the Sales Associate application and fee with the Florida DBPR online at MyFloridaLicense.com.
4Pass the Florida state exam. Schedule and pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam at Pearson VUE (100 questions, 75% to pass).
5Activate your license under a broker. A sales associate must work under a licensed real estate broker. Your license is activated once a broker links it to their brokerage.

Applying through the DBPR portal, step by step

Florida real estate licenses are issued by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Here's exactly how the online application works:

Create or log into your MyFloridaLicense account
Go to MyFloridaLicense.com and choose Apply for a License. First-time applicants create an online profile.
MyFloridaLicense.com landing page — the "Apply for a License" entry point
Screenshot: MyFloridaLicense.com landing page — the "Apply for a License" entry point
Choose "Real Estate Sales Associate" and start form RE 1
Select the Real Estate Commission board, then the Sales Associate application (DBPR form RE 1). You'll enter your personal details, education, and background-question answers.
Selecting the Sales Associate (RE 1) application in the DBPR portal
Screenshot: Selecting the Sales Associate (RE 1) application in the DBPR portal
Pay the application fee
Pay the state application fee ($62.75, read on DBPR form RE 1 on 2026-08-30 — confirm the current amount on the DBPR fee schedule) by card. Your fingerprints should already be on file with a Livescan vendor at this point.
The application-fee payment step in the DBPR portal
Screenshot: The application-fee payment step in the DBPR portal
Wait for approval, then schedule your exam
DBPR reviews your application (typically a few business days). On approval, you'll receive authorization to test and can schedule the state exam at Pearson VUE.

What it costs

Here's the full cost to get licensed, using Comet CE's course price. The state and vendor fees are current as of 2026 — verify the latest amounts on DBPR and Pearson VUE.

Comet CE 63-hour pre-license course$95.00

DBPR application fee$62.75

Fingerprinting (Livescan)varies — see below

State exam (Pearson VUE)set by Pearson VUE

Fingerprinting is priced by the Livescan vendor you choose and the examination fee is set by Pearson VUE, so neither is a figure the state publishes. Get both from the vendor at the point you book, and treat the course price as the only part of this list we set.

Enroll in the $95.00 pre-license course

How long it takes

Typically 2–4 months — the course is self-paced; the rest is application review, background check, and exam scheduling.

Start with the 63-hour course

Step one is your FREC-approved pre-licensing course. Comet CE's is 100% online and self-paced.

View the Sales Associate Pre-License course

How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida

Who can get a Florida real estate license?

The 5 steps to your license

Applying through the DBPR portal, step by step

Create or log into your MyFloridaLicense account

Choose "Real Estate Sales Associate" and start form RE 1

Pay the application fee

Wait for approval, then schedule your exam

What it costs

Start with the 63-hour course

Frequently asked questions

Related guides