How to Get Your Florida Real Estate License (Step-by-Step 2025 Guide)

Get Your Florida Real Estate License

Follow our simple steps and choose the right school to launch your career. We strongly recommend Florida Real Estate School for the best balance of price, support, and results.

Start with Florida Real Estate School Compare Schools
Top Pick

Florida Real Estate School

flrealestateschool.org

  • Excellent student support & success resources
  • Competitive pricing & bundles
  • Flexible pacing & exam prep tools
Enroll Now Learn More
Recommended

Colibri Real Estate

Self-paced online provider with Florida-approved courses.

  • Flexible, modular lessons
  • Practice exams & exam prep bundles
  • Career resources & instructor support
Enroll Now Learn More
Recommended

Aceable Agent

Learn on the go with a modern mobile-first app.

  • App-driven, study anywhere
  • Progress syncs across devices
  • Polished interface for quick learners
Enroll Now Learn More
Recommended

Tampa School of Real Estate

Established provider with strong local presence.

  • Online & classroom formats
  • Exam prep & workshops
  • Great alumni community
Enroll Now Learn More
Recommended

The CE Shop

Established provider with strong national presence.

  • Online format
  • Exam prep & workshops
  • Mulit-State Coures
Enroll Now Learn More

Steps to Get Licensed in Florida

1 Complete the 63-Hour Pre-Licensing Course

Take an approved 63-hour Florida Sales Associate pre-license course with an accredited school (online or classroom).

What you’ll need

  • Government-issued ID (name must match enrollment)
  • Reliable internet/device for online courses
  • Time to complete 63 hours + end-of-course exam

How it works

  • Enroll with a state-approved provider (see schools above)
  • Finish modules and pass the end-of-course exam (often proctored)
  • Save your Course Completion Certificate for Pearson VUE
Pro tip: Study 1–2 hours/day; most students finish in 2–6 weeks.
Compare Schools
2 Get Fingerprinted (DBPR Background Check)

Florida requires a Level 2 background check via an approved Live Scan vendor. Use the Real Estate ORI so results route properly.

What you’ll need

  • Valid photo ID, SSN, date of birth
  • ORI: Real Estate Sales & Brokers = FL920010Z
  • Appointment with a Live Scan provider

Helpful links

DBPR Fingerprinting (ORI info) Schedule with IdentoGO (FL) FDLE Provider List
Do fingerprints before you apply so your background check is already in progress when DBPR reviews your application.
3 Apply to DBPR for Your License

Submit the Florida Sales Associate application online through DBPR’s portal.

What you’ll need

  • Personal info (full legal name, SSN, contact)
  • Background disclosures (if applicable)
  • Payment method for the application fee

Apply online

DBPR Application Center (Real Estate) Sales Associate Checklist (RE 1)
Watch your DBPR portal for requests (e.g., documents). Respond quickly to avoid delays.
4 Schedule & Pass the Pearson VUE State Exam

After DBPR declares you exam-eligible, schedule with Pearson VUE (test center or online proctoring when available).

What you’ll need

  • Course Completion Certificate
  • DBPR exam eligibility
  • Valid ID matching your registration

Schedule

Pearson VUE: Florida Real Estate OnVUE (Online) Info
Pearson VUE phone scheduling: 888-204-6289.
5 Activate Your License with a Broker

After you pass, activate your license under a Florida broker to begin practicing.

What you’ll need

  • A sponsoring broker (compare training, leads, fees/splits)
  • Broker approval + license activation via DBPR

Next steps

  • Complete activation online with your chosen broker
  • Join your local association/MLS and set up eKey
  • Finish office onboarding, compliance, and tech setup
Find a School Back to Top

Compare at a Glance

Feature Florida Real Estate School Colibri Real Estate Aceable Agent Tampa School
Format Self-paced online Self-paced online Mobile app / online Online + classroom
Exam Prep Practice exams/ quizzes & prep Practice exams & prep Strong quizzes Workshops & tests
Support Instructor & success team Instructor & student support In-app help Local support

Always confirm requirements with DBPR and your chosen school. © 2025 Florida Real Estate Licensing Guide. Disclaimer:  Anchor House Realty & Property Management may recommend or promote certain real estate schools, courses, education providers or insurance services. In some cases, we may receive a referral fee, commission, or other financial benefit if you choose to enroll or subscribe through our links. Please note that Anchor House Realty, Corp owns and operates FL Real Estate School, LLC DBA Florida Real Estate School, LLC. As such, we may profit directly from enrollments in Florida Real Estate School courses which are provided by Dearborn and RECampus. Our recommendations are provided in good faith and are intended to offer value and options to prospective students. However, you are encouraged to review all schools and programs carefully before making any enrollment decision.

Join a Florida Association + MLS (Exact, itemized)

Gainesville-Alachua County Association of REALTORS® (GACAR) • Stellar MLS
Joining process
  • Apply on GACAR’s Join page (Primary/Secondary as applicable)
  • Provide DBPR license + brokerage info and pay onboarding fees
  • Attend orientation (if required); Stellar MLS bills separately
One-time onboarding
  • GACAR application fee: $350
  • GACAR MLS set-up: $25
  • Stellar MLS set-up (agent/broker): $150
Annual / recurring (Association dues)
  • GACAR (Local + Florida Realtors + NAR): $887.00
  • Prorated if joining mid-year
Annual / recurring (MLS)
  • Stellar MLS agent (Jun 1–May 31): $610.00
  • Stellar MLS broker (Jun 1–May 31): $950.00
Notes: Figures shown as itemized totals; first-year amounts are prorated based on join month.
Northeast Florida Association of REALTORS® (NEFAR) • realMLS (NEFMLS)
Joining process
  • Complete NEFAR REALTOR® application (Primary/Secondary)
  • Broker must be enrolled with realMLS before subscribers join
  • Pay dues/fees; complete orientation as required
One-time onboarding
  • NEFAR application: $250
  • Florida Realtors processing (new/reinstated): $30
  • realMLS application (broker/agent): $120
Annual / recurring (Association dues)
  • NEFAR Primary REALTOR® (Jan cycle): $637.00
  • Prorated monthly if joining mid-year
Annual / recurring (MLS)
  • realMLS personal member fee (annual, billed in June): $350
  • First-year proration examples (Jan→Jun): $174 down to $29
Notes: realMLS publishes monthly prorates; June billing may include the annual plus remainder of the year.
MIAMI Association of REALTORS® • MIAMI MLS
Joining process
  • Apply online (Associate/REALTOR®/Designated) with brokerage in good standing
  • Upload license; pay dues; orientation as required (payment plans available)
New-member totals (current fiscal period)
  • REALTOR® Associate (includes MLS + Local + FR + NAR): $922.67
  • REALTOR® (Sales Associate or Broker): $939.33
  • Designated REALTOR® (Broker): $1,103.50
  • Optional RPAC add-on: +$50 (Associate/REALTOR®) or +$100 (Designated)
Annual / recurring (MLS)
  • Included in totals above (itemized on MIAMI invoice; prorated by join month)
Notes: Miami bills on a July–June cycle; amounts shown are the current published new-member totals and are prorated.
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