What does FREC-approved mean?

It means the Florida Real Estate Commission has approved the course, so the hours you complete count toward your licensure requirement. A course that is not FREC-approved will not satisfy the state.

Is online as good as in-person?

Yes. Florida allows fully online pre-license education, and it satisfies the same requirement as a classroom course. Online is self-paced and mobile-friendly, so you can study whenever and wherever it fits your schedule.

How do I verify a school is legitimate?

Check for an FREC/DBPR course or provider number listed on the school’s site. A legitimate provider is approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission and states its approval number openly.

Does the school report my completion to the state?

A good provider files your completion with the DBPR on your behalf after you finish, so your hours reach the state without you filing anything separately. Confirm this before you buy.

What should I look for in exam prep?

Look for practice exams and a course that maps to the actual state exam — 100 questions with a 75%-to-pass threshold. Practice questions that mirror the real exam make the biggest difference in whether you pass on the first try.

How to Choose a Florida Real Estate School

Your pre-license course is the foundation of your real-estate career, so choosing the right school matters. Here are the criteria that actually matter — not marketing hype — so you can judge any provider for yourself.

By Scott Schubiner

Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker & Instructor · Published August 16, 2026

A prospective Florida real estate student comparing online course options on a laptop

The one non-negotiable: DBPR/FREC approval

Before anything else, the course must be approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). If it isn't, the hours you complete won't count toward your license — no matter how good the course looks. Every legitimate provider lists an FREC course or provider number. Treat this as your first, must-have filter: if a school won't show its approval number, walk away.

Criteria that matter

Once a school clears the approval bar, use this checklist to compare your options:

FREC-approved — verify the course lists a Florida Real Estate Commission course or provider number.
100% online and self-paced, so you study on your own schedule instead of a fixed class time.
Mobile-friendly — you can pick up and finish lessons on your phone.
Exam-pass support — practice questions and a course that actually prepares you for the state exam (100 questions, 75% to pass).
Clear one-time pricing with no surprise fees or add-ons at checkout.
DBPR reporting handled for you on completion, so your hours reach the state without extra paperwork.
Responsive support you can reach when a lesson or the exam trips you up.

Questions to ask before you buy

A quick way to separate the good schools from the rest is to ask directly. Any provider worth your money will answer these plainly:

Is the course FREC-approved — and what is its course number?
Is it self-paced with no scheduled sessions?
Can I finish the course on my phone?
Are practice exams included?
Is the pricing one-time, or a subscription?
Do you file my completion with the DBPR for me, or do I have to report it myself?

Red flags

If you see any of these, keep looking:

No FREC/DBPR approval number anywhere on the site — your hours may not count.
Vague pricing or a subscription that keeps billing after you finish.
No exam prep — no practice questions and nothing mapped to the state exam.
Classroom-only with rigid schedules that force you into fixed dates and locations.

See Comet CE’s pre-license course

Comet CE’s 63-hour Sales Associate course carries its own FREC approval number, is 100% online and self-paced, works on your phone, and is one price with no add-ons at checkout — and we file your completion with the DBPR on your behalf.

View the Sales Associate Pre-License course