APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Background checks

Application approval

Application validity period

Nonresident applications

Course requirements

Education exemptions

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Background checks

Applicants for a real estate license in Florida must submit to a background check and provide their fingerprints to the DBPR. 

Fingerprints. Applicants may use any approved Level 2 FDLE fingerprinting Livescan vendor to submit their fingerprints. When submitting fingerprints, the applicant must also submit the Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number (which can be found on the www.myfloridalicense.com website). 

Background check.  On receiving the applicant’s fingerprints, the Department will forward them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI for use in conducting a criminal history check on the applicant. Both agencies will send their background reports to the DBPR, usually within 3-5 days. To allow for adequate processing time, applicants should submit their fingerprints at least 5 days prior to submitting the license application. The DBPR will use these reports to determine if the applicant is qualified for examination and licensure based on the presence or lack of a criminal history.

Criminal history. If the background report indicates a criminal history, it is best if the applicant has already provided all associated information to the Department along with the application. This is accomplished by answering all application background questions completely and honestly and including documentation that provides details of any investigations, convictions, guilty pleas, or nolo contendere pleas with dates, findings, and penalties. 

If the penalties have already been satisfied, the applicant should include documentation proving the satisfaction for each conviction. 

Any applicant currently on probation as a result of a conviction should also include an official letter from the probation officer regarding the status of the current probation. The applicant may also want to include at least three character references with the application and other documentation. One reference letter may be from a family member, but all others must be from other people who know the applicant and can attest to his or her character.

Summary of applicants. If an applicant’s background check indicates a criminal history, the application is placed on a Summary of Applicants list and submitted to the FREC for review in its monthly meeting. During the review, the FREC will determine if the applicant is approvable for examination and licensure or if the application requires additional consideration and information.

Additional information on digital fingerprinting and the approved vendors can be found on the DBPR’s website at www.myfloridalicense.com. An applicant may order a criminal background report on him or herself on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s website at www.fdle.state.fl.us. 

Application approval

The Department must approve or deny a license application within 90 days of receiving it. If the Department fails to meet that deadline, the application is considered approved by default. Applicants who are approved by default are to notify the Department in writing of their intent to rely on the default approval. If the Commission denies the application, it must notify the applicant in writing of the denial and reasons for denial. The notice must inform the applicant of his or her appeal rights.

Application validity period

Initial application.  The initial license application remains valid for two years after the date it was received by the DBPR.

Exam eligible.  The applicant has two years after completing the prelicense course work to pass the licensure examination. If the applicant fails to pass the examination within those two years, the completed course work becomes invalid. 

Course requirements

The FREC requires applicants for licensure to complete prelicense real estate educational courses. These can be taken at an accredited college or university, a career center, or registered real estate school. 

A 4-year degree in real estate from an accredited school of higher education, with the coursework covering the same subject matter as required by the FREC, may be substituted for the required prelicense courses. 

A prelicense student may demonstrate FREC-approved minimal competencies that show the student is qualified for licensure as a substitute for taking specific classroom hours.

Education exemptions

Persons seeking licensure who are exempt from the requirement to complete prelicense education include the following. 

• • An active attorney in good standing with the Florida Bar who is qualified under real estate license law may obtain a real estate sales associate license without completing prelicense education courses. However, attorneys must pass the licensure examination.
  • Anyone who has earned a 4-year degree or higher in real estate from a school of higher education may obtain a real estate license without completing prelicense education courses. However, individuals with this degree must pass the licensure examination.

• • A nonresident licensed in a state that has a mutual recognition agreement with Florida may obtain a real estate license without completing prelicense education courses. However, these nonresidents must pass a 40-question licensure examination.