Are you ready for an exciting career challenge? If you’ve enjoyed working as a real estate agent in the Sunshine State, you might be ready to advance your career by earning your Florida real estate broker license.
Becoming a broker comes with additional benefits and increased responsibilities. You might find it easier to land big clients as a broker, and you’ll be able to collect desk fees and up to 50% of the commissions of the agents you manage. Here’s what you need to know about the process of earning your Florida real estate broker license.
What Are the License Requirements for a Florida Real Estate Broker?
Before we dig into the steps, let’s make sure you’re eligible. It’s worth noting that the Florida Real Estate Commission does not require you to be a resident of the state to become a broker. However, to become Florida real estate broker, you must:
You’ll also need to meet a minimum threshold of professional experience as a Florida real estate agent and check one of these boxes:
How to Get a Florida Real Estate Broker License
If you’ve met all the basic requirements for a Florida real estate broker license, let’s walk through this step-by-step guide.
1. Complete a 72-hour Florida Real Estate Broker License Course
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Cost:
$199 to $398 with Colibri Real Estate
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Time commitment:
1-2 months
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Helpful resource:
6 Best Real Estate Schools in Florida for 2023
Similar to your prelicensing classes, this course must be taught by a qualified instructor at an approved real estate school. Unfortunately, you cannot apply your prelicensing or continuing education courses to this new broker education requirement.
Florida real estate broker license courses aren’t broken down into individual classes. However, Florida requires that each broker course covers the following topics:
- Getting started in the real estate brokerage business
- Valuing real property
- Listing and selling real property
- Specialties
As you know from earning your salesperson’s license, choosing the right Florida online real estate school will be crucial to your success. We recommend that you take your Florida real estate broker license course through Colibri Real Estate.
Their Broker Ultimate Learning Package includes the Florida real estate broker license course requirements, the Principles of Real Estate Practice e-book, a real estate math e-book, support from a state-approved instructor, access to a discussion board, one-year premier membership to RISMedia, and 60 hours of state-mandated post-licensing courses.
Earn your Florida real estate broker license by enrolling in Colibri Real Estate!
SAVE 30% on any Colibri Real Estate prelicensing course. Use promo code TheClose30 at checkout.
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2. Submit to a Background Check
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Cost:
$37.25+
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Time commitment:
30 minutes
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Helpful resource:
Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website
At least five days before you submit your Florida real estate broker application (and after you’ve completed your classes), you need to visit a LiveScan service provider to be fingerprinted. You need to complete this process even if you already submitted your fingerprints to earn your salesperson’s license.
The amount each LiveScan provider charges may vary, but the DBPR also offers this service at its Tallahassee office for $37.25, so you can expect to pay at least that much. You must bring at least two valid forms of ID, including one that was government-issued. The fingerprinting process should take five to 10 minutes.
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3. Complete the Florida Real Estate Broker License Application
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Cost:
$43
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Time commitment:
1-2 hours
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Helpful resource:
Florida DBPR licensing guide
The next step to becoming a real estate broker in Florida is to set up an online account with the Florida Real Estate Commission. If you already have an account and your current license is linked to it, you can begin to fill out your online application for a broker license.
The application asks for your personal information, for information about your current real estate license, and about your potential criminal history. You’ll also be required to submit documentation to prove that you completed your Florida real estate broker license course and work experience requirements. Once you’ve completed your application, submit it to the state with payment of the $43 fee.
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4. Pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Exam
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Cost:
$36.75
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Time commitment:
3.5 hours
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Helpful resource:
Florida DBPR candidate information booklet
Cost:
$36.75
Time to Complete:
3.5 hours
Format:
75%
Passing Grade:
Computer-based, 100 multiple-choice questions
Bring to the Testing Center:
Two forms of valid ID and certificate of prelicensing education completion
You can take the Florida real estate broker exam from the comfort of your own home. You’ll need a desktop computer or laptop with a webcam, microphone, and strong internet connection. If you’d prefer to take it in person, Florida real estate exam testing sites are located in the following cities:
- Boynton Beach
- Coral Gables
- Doral
- Ft. Lauderdale
- Fort Myers
- Gainesville
- Hollywood
- Jacksonville
- Lakeland
- Lake Mary
- Melbourne
- Miami
- Oakland Park
- Orlando
- Ormond Beach
- Pensacola
- Sarasota
- St. Petersburg
- Tallahassee
- Tampa
When taking the Florida real estate broker exam, you must present two forms of valid, signed ID (one must be government-issued). You’ll also need your Certificate of Prelicensing Education Completion, which shows you have completed the Florida real estate broker license requirements within the last two years.
Learn more about the exam by downloading the Candidate Information Booklet, which discusses how to reschedule your exam if you’re ill and what to leave at home (including everyday items like purses and cell phones).
You’ll learn whether you passed or failed immediately upon finishing the exam. If you didn’t pass, you can retake the exam as many times as necessary, as long as you’re successful within two years of your application approval. Once you pass the licensing exam, you must fill out one additional form to activate your broker license. This form, called the Florida Real Estate Commission Broker Transactions Form, doesn’t cost anything to submit.
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How Much Does It Cost to Get a Real Estate Broker License in Florida?
Florida Real Estate Governing Body:
Florida Real Estate Commission
Education Requirements:
72 hours
Price Range for Real Estate Broker Course:
$199 to $398 (through Colibri Real Estate)
Total Estimated Costs:
$400-$600
It costs approximately $400 to $600 to obtain a real estate broker license in Florida, which is slightly less than the cost of obtaining a salesperson’s license. If you’re not yet a licensed real estate agent in the Sunshine State, read our article and learn How to Become a Real Estate Agent in Florida in 5 Easy Steps.
Sample Florida Real Estate Broker License Costs
| Classes (72 Hours) | $199 to $398 (through Colibri Real Estate) |
| Broker License Application | $43 |
| Fingerprinting | $37.25 |
| Broker Exam Registration | $36.75 |
| Exam Retake | $36.75 |
| Total Costs | $316-$552 |
(Florida real estate broker license costs as of October 2023)
Check out the Broker Unlimited Learning Package with Colibri Real Estate! It includes the 72-hour broker course plus 60 hours of post-licensing classes that you’ll need to renew your broker’s license the first time!
How Much Money Do Real Estate Brokers Make in Florida?
According to The Close’s salary information database, real estate brokers in Florida make an average of $81,240. This is a great income—a little bit higher than our national average for broker earnings of $79,781.
However, this isn’t a sure thing, which you understand if you’ve been working in the industry for some time. Even though some months may be more profitable than others, a broker sometimes has additional sources of income. A Florida real estate broker may collect desk fees and a percentage of the commissions of the real estate sales agents working under them. Additionally, some real estate brokers receive income from the ownership of ancillary businesses like title companies or mortgage companies.
Finally, sometimes real estate brokers see an increase in the number of clients they serve because they’ve earned this upgrade in their certification. Homeowners facing high-dollar real estate transactions may trust a broker to handle their purchase or sale more than a real estate agent. Other brokers step away from transactions altogether to focus on building their companies and supporting agents full time.
Florida Real Estate Broker License FAQs
Are you wondering if it’s worth all that effort to become a real estate broker in Florida? It is a lot of work, but the financial benefits and other rewards may make it worthwhile. Here’s some additional information about the licensing process that may help you decide.
Should I get my broker license in Florida?
There may be financial advantages to earning your real estate broker license in Florida, but the license upgrade comes with additional responsibilities and expenses as well. So you’ll need to decide whether it’s worth it.
For example, if you open your own brokerage, you’re responsible for operating a business that’ll support your staff. You’ll need to pay for rent, utilities, and agent training. Additionally, your responsibilities will include overseeing the contracts and transactions of real estate agents working under you if you open your own brokerage or become a managing broker at your current firm.
Learn more about a broker’s income and expenses by reading Real Estate Broker vs Agent: A Head-to-Head Analysis.
Are there post-licensing requirements for brokers in Florida?
Yes. Within 18 to 24 months of obtaining your Florida real estate broker license, you will need to take an additional 60 hours of post-licensing courses to renew your license. You’ll also need to take continuing education (CE) classes to maintain your license, similar to the requirements of real estate agents.
How long does it take to become a real estate broker in Florida?
It takes three to six months to become a real estate broker in Florida. If you’re currently working as a real estate agent, you’ll have to take your classes in your spare time, which may be a challenge.
Even though there are Florida real estate schools that meet in person, you might appreciate being able to take your Florida real estate broker license course from an online school such as Colibri Real Estate.
How difficult is the Florida real estate broker exam?
The last time the pass-fail rates for the Florida real estate broker exam were published, the success rate among first-time exam takers was 54%. This is higher than those for the sales associate exam, but that doesn’t mean that the broker exam is necessarily easier.
More Career Resources From The Close
We hope you’re excited to earn your Florida real estate broker license. Now that you know how to take the first steps, it’s time to learn more. The Close offers plenty of career resources for every stage of your real estate career. Subscribe to our newsletter to get our articles direct to your inbox. We also invite you to join the conversation in our Facebook Mastermind Group and meet agents from across the country.
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