May 14, 2025
What you need to know to start a career in Florida real estate

Florida is inviting aspiring real estate agents to be a part of its diverse and flourishing real estate landscape. 

If you are interested in building a successful career as a part-time or full-time real estate agent in Florida, now is the time to plan your professional move. 

Florida’s real estate market is booming with opportunities for agents and brokers and there is not a better time to make the most of the fertile landscape. 

Florida is home to many of the top real estate markets and the Peach State continues to be a popular destination for skilled professionals, homebuyers and investors. 

Do you wish to be a part of a dynamic, fast-moving industry where you can earn a six-figure income while being your own boss? 

If yes, then working as a real estate agent in Florida can help you achieve your dream of financial independence and professional freedom. 

Plus, you will get the chance to help people achieve their home ownership goals by giving them your advice and assistance. 

All you need to launch a rewarding and fulfilling career is a real estate license Florida which will open up new avenues for growth and success. 

To help you embark on an exciting career in real estate, this article will outline all the key steps and licensing requirements in one place. 

After reading this article, you will get complete clarity on how to approach a new career as an absolute beginner or as someone who is switching professions. 

Steps to get a Florida real estate license

If you are new to the world of real estate, the most important aspect of working with clients and earning commission is getting your state approved license.

Like most states, Florida also follows a pre-established set of laws and regulations for real estate professionals. 

Whether you are a complete beginner or someone looking to switch careers, you must obtain a Florida salesperson license to start your career. 

Like most states, Florida also requires aspiring professionals to earn their specific real estate license to legally work in the industry. 

Here are some of the reasons why you must become licensed to make the most of your career and get the best value for your time and skills. 

  • Higher earning potential: Only licensed professionals are allowed to earn commissions. WIth a valid license, you can earn as much as you want. 
  • Legal compliance: The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) requires every active professional to hold a valid license to ensure regulatory compliance. 
  • Career independence: As a licensed real estate agent, you can work independently, define your own working hours, start a real estate firm and find your own clients. 

To obtain your salesperson license, you need to complete mandatory pre license education and training from a state approved education provider. 

As per the Florida law, you must complete a minimum of 63 hours of pre licensing education to learn about the state and federal laws, industry guidelines and principles of real estate. 

This is where you can rely on the proven expertise of RealEstateU which is one of the leading platforms for real estate pre license education through online courses and classes. 

After you have completed your education, you will become eligible to take the Florida salesperson licensing exam. 

To obtain your real estate license in Florida, you must take and pass the state licensing exam by scoring at least 75 percent or above. 

The licensing exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions and you will get a total of 190 minutes in total to attempt all of them.  

The purpose of taking the licensing exam is to prove your knowledge, training and competence for working as a professional in a regulated industry. 

If you pass the test successfully, you can proceed to complete your background verification and criminal history check.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) requires every student to pass a mandatory federal criminal background check. 

The department ensures that only eligible individuals with a good moral standing and no history of felony are allowed to work with clients. 

To complete this step, you need to submit an electronic copy of your fingerprints via a livescan provider in the state of Florida. 

Once your background verification is completed, you can submit your salesperson licensing application and submit it to the Florida DBPR for review. 

After your application has been reviewed, you will receive your salesperson license in Florida within a few weeks. 

However, to start working with clients, you must activate your license and to do so, you need to complete one last step. 

The state of Florida requires every newly licensed agent to find a sponsoring broker or brokerage firm licensed in the state. 

It is mandatory for newly licensed individuals to work under the supervision of more experienced brokers and gain practical industry experience. 

You can easily find a sponsoring broker in your region or city and once you have finalized one, you can submit their details to the bureau for approval.