No residency and no college degree required. Citizenship is not required, but a valid United States Social Security number is.
Printable checklist
Florida real estate license requirements checklist
A one-page checklist for the standard Florida sales associate route: eligibility, course, application, exam, activation, and first renewal. Check the exceptions before paying for a course.
Course study and the DBPR application ($62.75) with electronic fingerprints can run in parallel. Bring valid course proof or accepted exemption documentation to the exam.
Pass the Pearson VUE Sales Associate exam (100 questions, 210 minutes), then activate under a Florida broker with the RE 11 form.
Every requirement at a glance
| Requirement | Standard | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 18 or older (no upper limit) | F.S. 475.17 |
| Education | High school diploma or GED | F.S. 475.17 |
| Social Security number | Required (citizenship is not) | DBPR RE 1 |
| Residency | Not required | DBPR |
| Pre-license course | 63 hours (Course I), unless exempt | F.S. 475.17 |
| Application | DBPR RE 1, fee $62.75 (verify) | DBPR RE 1 |
| Fingerprints | Electronic Live Scan; vendor sets price | DBPR RE 1 |
| Background review | Disclose history as the application requires | DBPR RE 1 |
| State exam | 100 questions, 75 to pass, 210 min | Pearson VUE |
| Broker activation | Required before you practice | F.S. 475.42 |
| First renewal | 45 hours unless exempt; use DBPR expiration date | F.S. 475.17 |
Check your route and deadlines
Education exemptions: active Florida Bar members may skip the sales associate pre-license course. A qualifying four-year or higher real estate degree exempts pre- and post-license education. A course exemption alone does not select your exam.
Already licensed elsewhere? Ask DBPR about mutual recognition or endorsement before enrolling. Eligible mutual-recognition applicants take a 40-question law exam (30 to pass).
Do not reset the clock: pass within two years of DBPR receiving your application and within two years of completing the course (F.S. 475.181). First renewal is tied to initial licensure, even while inactive, not broker activation. Record the dates in your DBPR account.
Costs and timeline
Standard route, one exam attempt; excludes business startup costs. Course and fingerprint prices are estimates.
| Item | Amount or time |
|---|---|
| Total license-path cost | About $260 to $1,200 with prep |
| DBPR application fee | $62.75 (verify current) |
| Electronic fingerprints | $50 to $80 |
| State exam fee | $36.75 per attempt |
| Course tuition (estimate) | $70 to $800 |
| Without optional prep | About $220 to $980; one exam attempt |
| Planning timeline | Allow 10 to 20 weeks; individual timing varies |
Four requirements people get wrong
| Common mistake | What is actually true |
|---|---|
| Course exam equals the state exam | Course final: 70%; standard state exam: 75/100 |
| Skip the 45-hour post-license course | Required unless exempt, even if inactive; use your DBPR deadline |
| You need a broker to start | A broker is needed only to activate after you pass the exam |
| You must be a Florida resident | Residency is not required; all other eligibility rules still apply |
Quick self-test
Do you know the requirements that trip people up?
Cover the answer key first. If you miss two or more, reread the checklist before you enroll, apply, or schedule the exam.
More practice: passfloridarealestate.com/try-a-question
- 1Score
Your school end-of-course exam needs 70%. What does the state exam need?
- 2Residency
You live in Georgia. Can you hold a Florida sales associate license?
- 3Sequence
Do you need a sponsoring broker before you can sit for the state exam?
Answer key
- 175 out of 100
The 70% course exam and the 75% state exam are two separate tests. Plan for the higher state bar.
- 2Yes
Residency alone does not disqualify you. All other eligibility requirements still apply; an existing license may qualify you for a different application route.
- 3No
A broker is only required to activate the license after you pass. You can study, apply, and test without one.
Optional email copy
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Want a copy for later? We will email this checklist link, the requirements at a glance, and the costs and timeline. Downloading the PDF does not require an email.
After the PDF
Use the sheet for review, then drill the skill.
Printable PDFs are good for setup and recall. The app is where you turn those setups into mixed Florida-specific practice with Math Coach, Trap Library, and Confidence Calibration.
1,142 questionsMath CoachTrap Library$39.99 once
Exam prep only. Not a substitute for the 63-hour course, DBPR steps, or Pearson VUE scheduling.
FAQ
License requirements questions
What are the requirements to get a Florida real estate license?+
For the standard initial-license route: be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent and a U.S. Social Security number, complete the 63-hour course unless exempt, apply with fingerprints, satisfy DBPR background review, pass the standard exam with 75/100, and activate under a broker before practicing. Complete required 45-hour post-license education before the first expiration date, even if inactive; a qualifying real estate degree provides an education exemption. Other application routes have different requirements.
Do I need to be a Florida resident to get a license?+
No. Florida has no residency requirement for a real estate sales associate license. Nonresidents must still satisfy the applicable eligibility, application, education, and examination requirements. Eligible licensees from mutual-recognition jurisdictions can use a different route.
Do I need a college degree?+
No. The education requirement is a high school diploma or GED. The standard route requires a 63-hour pre-license course and, after licensure, 45 hours of post-license education before first renewal unless exempt. A four-year or higher real estate degree can exempt both courses; an unrelated degree does not.
What score do I need to pass the Florida real estate exam?+
You need 75 out of 100 on the Pearson VUE state exam. Do not confuse this with the school's end-of-course exam, which requires a passing grade of 70%. The 70% course exam and the 75% state exam are two separate tests.
How much does the Florida real estate license path cost?+
For a standard applicant needing the course and passing on the first attempt, budget about $260 to $1,200 with optional prep, or $220 to $980 without it, before first-year business costs. That covers the 63-hour course, the DBPR application ($62.75), electronic fingerprints ($50 to $80), the exam ($36.75 per attempt), and optional exam prep. Verify current fees with DBPR and Pearson VUE.
Do I need a broker before I take the exam?+
No. You need a broker only to activate your license after you pass. You can complete the course, apply, and sit for the exam without a broker, but a Florida sales associate cannot practice until the license is active under a broker.