Information about obtaining a Florida Real Estate Broker’s License

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is responsible for processing applications for licensure as a real estate sales associate in Florida. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, hold a high school diploma or its equivalent, be honest, truthful, trustworthy, and of good character and have a good reputation for fair dealing. Applicants must also have had an active sales associate or broker’s license for at least 12 months in the previous five years. If the experience is claimed from a jurisdiction other than Florida, applicants need to contact the DBPR in Tallahassee 850.487.1395 regarding certification and license history.

Applicants must successfully complete a Florida Real Estate Commission approved pre-licensure course consisting of 72 (classroom or online) hours, have fingerprints electronically scanned and submit an application to the DBPR with a fee of $115 (which includes the first license). Applications may be obtained by contacting DBPR, 1940 North Monroe Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783 (phone 850.487.1395) or by sending an e-mail request to Andy Gray Schools of Real Estate (Andygray@AndyGray.com).

Promissor, the testing vendor for DBPR can scan and submit fingerprints to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Locations are available for fingerprinting in 15 Florida cities. Visit www.Promissor.com or call 877.238.8232 to schedule an appointment for the electronic fingerprint scan. The cost for the fingerprinting service is $61.

Out of State Applicants
If you reside outside the State of Florida, you should call 850.487.1395 and request a Division of Real Estate fingerprint card (FD258). You may go to a law enforcement office in your area to have your fingerprints rolled onto the card. In the “Reason Fingerprinted” section in the “ORI” section of the card, please ensure that “FL920010Z FL Real Estate Comm Orlando, FL” is entered. All other information will be completed at the law enforcement agency. Mail the completed card to Florida Division of Real Estate, c/o Promissor, Inc., Post Office Box 173679, Denver, CO 80217-0679. Enclose a money order (personal checks are not accepted) in the amount of $61 payable to Promissor with your card. Your fingerprints will be scanned and sent electronically to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI.

Applications for licensure are normally valid for up to one year after they are received by the DBPR. An applicant must sit for and pass the real estate examination before the expiration date of their application.

The time to process an application will vary depending on the DBPR. Applicants can contact the DBPR at 850.487.1395 to obtain the approximate time frame for approval. After the application is approved, the applicant can schedule an examination with the testing service. The examination fee charged by the examination testing service is currently $31.50 for a broker’s examination in Florida. Examinations are given at numerous locations in Florida with registration for the examination required at least three business days prior to the examination. The actual examination date and time will depend on availability at the location and applicants will receive both verbal and written confirmation of the location, date and time.

After passing the Florida real estate licensing examination, an applicant is now either an inactive licensed broker or an active licensed broker-associate depending on the information furnished with the application. Active broker status can be obtained by completing additional paperwork. Active license status is required prior to performing real estate services.

Florida Statutes require a real estate broker to complete 60 hours of post-licensing education (classroom or online) prior to the expiration date of the initial license. This additional requirement must be completed within 18 to 24 months after passing the state examination depending on the expiration date of the initial license. Failure to complete this post-licensing education requirement within the mandated time period results in the loss of license. 14 Hour continuing education courses are required for each renewal period thereafter and may be taken either in a classroom or by correspondence.

Additional information may be obtained from the following web sites