The sunshine state of Florida is a very attractive place to become a real estate agent. With the great weather and flourishing beaches to enjoy, who wouldn’t want to move to Florida? Are you looking to start your new career as a real estate agent in Florida?
Do you want to know more about the steps you need to take to become a real estate broker? Before you take those necessary steps, you will need to complete a pre-licensing course.
If you want to know more about the best online school for Florida real estate license, you will want to keep reading on below. We will go over the purpose of real estate school and where you can go to complete your courses today!
Why Do You Need Real Estate School?
Before you can apply for your estate license in Florida, you must take a pre-licensing course. Real estate licensing requirements include completing 63 hours or pre-licensing education before you can sit for your state exam.
Completing real estate school is not only a requirement, but it is also essential to go through because it prepares you for when you start your real estate career.
Many people will depend on you as their guide when they decide to sell their home or buy a new one. It is vital that you retain the information from your courses to be the best real estate agent you can be.
What to Look For in Online Real Estate Schools
When you go to choose the best online school for Florida real estate license, you will want to make sure you pick one that will best meet your needs. Most people select their online school based on their budget.
Others also like to choose their online pre-licensing course based on what is included in their purchase. Some online courses only offer coursework to satisfy the requirement, while others add practice exams and mock final exams.
Florida Real Estate Licensing Requirements
Before you get into what you need before applying for your Florida real estate license, you must meet a few prerequisites. In Florida, you must at least be 18 years old before you can apply for your license.
Other important prerequisites:
- High school diploma
- A United States social security number
If you do not have a high school diploma, there is no need to worry. You can apply for your license as long as you have the equivalent, such as a GED.
Five Steps to Become a Real Estate Agent
Now that you know about the minimum requirements you must meet, it is time to get into what you need to do to be a licensed real estate agent. Getting licensed for your real estate career may seem daunting, but we simplified it for you down to five easy steps.
Step One: Complete Your Pre-licensing Education
As mentioned earlier, in Florida, you need to complete 63 hours of pre-licensing courses. You have the option to complete these hours online. Before you pick an online program, ensure that the program receives approval from the Florida Real Estate Commission.
Step Two: Pass Your Pre-licensing Course Final
After you complete all 63 hours of your pre-licensing course, you can sit for your pre-licensing course. You must at least answer 70% of the questions correctly.
If you fail the first time, you have the opportunity to retake the exam. If you fail the course a second time, you will have to take the 63-hour course over again before retaking the course exam.
Step Three: Submit Your Fingerprints
Once you receive your certificate of completion from your pre-licensing courses, you can submit your fingerprints. You must submit your fingerprints to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation five days before submitting your application to the state.
The department of Business and Professional Regulation will use your fingerprints to run a background check. You can schedule an appointment with your local Pearson VUE Fingerprint Location.
Step Four: Complete Your License Application
After sending in your fingerprints, you can go ahead and submit your real estate salesperson license to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation will notify you when they approve your application.
Step Five: Pass Your Real Estate Licensing Exam
Pearson VUE administers the Florida real estate licensing exam. The exam contains two sections.
One section contains nationally tested information, and the other includes state-specific information. Pearson VUE offers online proctored exams if you are unable to take the test in person.
Finding a Licensed Broker
It is crucial that you reach out to a potential broker to work under before you apply for your exam. Finding a broker before you take your exam will make the transition into your real estate career a lot easier.
If you are not registered as an employee under a licensed broker, the DBPR will not activate your license. In Florida, a licensed broker must register you before the state activates your license.
When choosing a broker, make sure that you look into their benefits packages. Not every broker offers the same benefits to their employees. Make sure that you ask about their commission splits and the incentives that they offer.
Cost of Becoming a Florida Real Estate Agent
The price of becoming a Florida real estate agent depends on a few significant factors, such as the online school that you choose and the place where you complete your fingerprints. For example, most online schools cost between $200 to $500, depending on who you choose and the packages that they offer.
As mentioned earlier, some online schools will provide you with the bare minimum coursework that you need to meet your 63 hours. Other companies will provide you with additional support to ensure that you successfully pass your exam.
Other important fees to consider:
- State licensing exam fee
- Exam application fee
The state licensing exam costs around $37.00. You will need to pay $85.00 as an application fee to take your exam. The average cost of having your fingerprints done is $30 to $50, depending on who you go through.
When Should I Apply for My Exam?
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation, also known as DBPR, will need to review your pre-licensing course certificate and background check before applying for your exam.
On average, it takes the DBPR about thirty days before you will hear anything back. Once you get the green light, you can go ahead and schedule your exam with Pearson VUE.
Florida Real Estate License Timeline
Now that you know about the essential steps you need to take before starting your real estate career, you may be wondering how long this will all take. Keep in mind that this is not a definite timeline; several different factors determine when you can start your real estate career.
Most online pre-licensing courses are self-paced, which means that you can complete the course whenever you want. Depending on your schedule, you may be able to finish all 63 hours within a couple of months.
After you complete your licensing and pass your exam, you can move on to get your fingerprints and send in your application for your exam.
On average, the DBPR takes about 30 days to get back to you. Shortly after that, you can schedule your exam and pass! Make sure that you reach out to a licensed broker as soon as possible so they can register you.
As long as you have a licensed broker employer, you can expect to receive your activated license after passing your licensing exam. Overall, you may be able to start your real estate career within three to four months.
Errors and Omissions Insurance
In the state of Florida, you are not required to carry errors and omissions insurance. A few real estate agent brokers require you to have this insurance before they employ you. Other agents prefer to have this insurance as an added benefit to ensure they have coverage if a client tries to sue them.
Best Online School for Florida Real Estate License
Becoming a real estate agent in Florida is not only exciting, but it also has the opportunity to be a lucrative career for you. Once you complete your licensing requirements and pass your exam, you can partner with a reputable licensed broker to help you on your new fresh start.
If you are looking for more information on the best online school for Florida real estate license, contact us now! Here at My Real Estate Practice, we are experts in providing you with all the information you need to be a successful agent in Florida!
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