As you think about starting a real estate career, you may wonder, “How much is a real estate license in Florida?” The good news is that a Florida real estate school is affordable compared to other career training courses. And, of course, real estate training is much more affordable than a college degree. Here’s the scoop on Florida real estate license costs. But first, let’s discuss the benefits of earning a license.
Key Takeaways
- Obtaining a real estate license in Florida typically costs between $750 and $950, including pre-licensing education, exam fees, application fees, and additional expenses like fingerprinting and background checks.
- Becoming a real estate agent in Florida offers benefits such as a flexible schedule, unlimited earning potential, and the opportunity to be entrepreneurial by eventually starting your own brokerage.
- The cost of real estate pre-licensing courses varies widely, ranging from just over $100 to nearly $1,000, depending on the quality and additional services offered by the school, such as exam prep materials and tutoring sessions.
- After obtaining a license, agents may face additional costs, including membership fees for REALTOR® associations, MLS access, and license renewal fees, which also require further education.
Benefits of Holding a Real Estate License
Before we go into the details of how much it costs to get a real estate license in Florida, let’s discuss some of the benefits of entering the industry.
Real estate agents enjoy a flexible schedule.
Do you want to be able to drop the kids off at school and watch them compete at a late-afternoon track meet? Perhaps you drive your elderly grandma to doctor’s appointments and constantly run out of PTO because you have so many family obligations. Real estate is a lucrative career that accommodates parents and caregivers.
In fact, many real estate agents start out working evenings and weekends. It’s also a great side hustle for those working a traditional 9 to 5 job.
Real estate salespeople have unlimited earning potential.
According to the latest Gold Coast School’s Florida Real Estate Income Report, the average salary of a full-time agent in FL is $150,496. Real estate agents don’t have limits on the amount of commission they earn. In fact, many agents negotiate a commission cap, which means that once they reach a certain amount of commissions, they can keep 100% of their earnings for the rest of that year.
Real estate is an excellent career for go-getters with a can-do attitude and expert training.
Real estate appeals to entrepreneurial-minded individuals.
Real estate agents are small business owners. They must work under the supervision of a broker, but they set their own hours and do everything possible to grow their careers. And after working for 24 months, you can earn your broker license and work independently or start your own brokerage.
It’s a great time to become a real estate agent in Florida.
Jacksonville, Miami, and Orlando continue to make national lists of hot real estate markets.
Florida is expected to experience population growth within the next five years, and all of those new residents will need help finding somewhere to live. In addition, Florida housing prices remain high with increased demand. As interest rates continue to drop, expect to see more buyers enter the market.
Are you excited to become a real estate agent in Florida? You’ll be even more excited after seeing how affordable the licensing process is. Learn “How much are real estate classes in Florida?” in this next section.
Florida Real Estate Licensing – Breakdown of Costs
Because real estate agents help their clients make significant financial decisions, it’s understandable that they must be licensed. Here are the basic licensing steps:
- Take pre-licensing courses from an approved Florida real estate school.
- Get fingerprinted and pass a background check.
- Study for the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam.
- Pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam.
- Complete the Sales Associate License Application.
There are costs associated with each part of the process. Here’s the most current information on those costs to know how much you can expect to pay to get your license.
Costs of Getting Your Real Estate License in Florida
Let’s break down the specific costs of getting your Florida real estate license. Some costs are the same for everyone, such as the exam and application fees. However, some of the costs depend upon the provider you choose.
1. Pre-licensing education
How much are real estate classes in Florida? Real estate school costs vary widely – from just over $100 to nearly $1,000. When buying some services, going with the cheapest price makes sense. However, we encourage you to research before purchasing real estate coursework.
Some real estate schools have better reputations in the state than others. A lower-quality pre-licensing education means you may have to pay more for exam prep materials and test retakes. Plus, some schools offer more services, such as weekly tutoring sessions, career fairs, and extended access to the course content.
How much is real estate school online in Florida?
Online real estate school costs between $100 to nearly $1,000. However, not all online real estate courses are the same. Some schools offer online courses in addition to in-person and live online sessions.
Consider choosing an online real estate school that allows you to review complicated material with an instructor for the greatest chance of success on the real estate exam.
2. Licensing exam preparation
You may need additional study aids to pass your Florida real estate salesperson exam, which can cost $100 to $250.
You are not required to purchase exam prep materials to help you study for your Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam. However, some students feel more confident going into the test knowing they are well prepared.
Some real estate schools offer exam prep materials in their pre-licensing course packages, even providing instructor-led sessions to review the most complicated topics.
It may make sense to pay more for pre-licensing courses that include exam prep materials so you pass the test the first time you take it.
3. Application and examination fees
The current application fee for a Florida real estate license is $39.37 (for fiscal years 2024/2025), and the current cost for the real estate exam is $36.75.
Begin the application process by creating an account with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Pearson Vue administers the Florida real estate licensing exam. Pearson Vue’s Candidate Information Booklet is a helpful resource that answers specific questions about scheduling and taking the exam.
4. Additional expenses to consider
There are a few other expenses in the licensing process.
Background check
You must undergo a background check to become a licensed real estate agent in Florida. To complete your background check, you must be fingerprinted and provide information about your legal history. Expect to pay between $50 and $80 to be fingerprinted for your background check.
Membership fees
You may also want to pay to become a member of the local or national REALTOR® association and join the region’s MLS.
License renewal fees
The Florida Real Estate Commission requires anyone with a sales associate license to complete 45 hours of post-license education before their first license renewal deadline. There is no grace period, and failing to take this course before the deadline will make your license null and void. Expect to pay $250 for these courses.
How Much Is a Real Estate License in Florida?
Expect to pay between $750 and $950 to earn your real estate license in Florida. Additional costs may arise after you are licensed, such as brokerage desk fees and other business start-up costs.
While this is a chunk of change, getting your real estate license is a great career move. You’ll love helping clients find their family homes and will be compensated well for your time and energy.
Strategies for managing costs
There are financing options for real estate school. Learn more about Affirm financing, which allows you to make four interest-free payments every two weeks or monthly for up to 12 months.
Gold Coast Schools is here to help you get licensed. We have been providing quality real estate pre-licensing education since 1970. Our pre-licensing courses are delivered in-person, live online, or online (at your own pace). Some of the Gold Coast School packages include a helpful instructor-led state “Exam Cram” course, making you more confident when sitting for your real estate exam.
Depend on Gold Coast Schools for all your real estate education needs. We also offer continuing education and broker pre-licensing courses.