LICENSE RENEWAL EDUCATION
Post license requirement
Continuing education
Reactivation education
Post license requirement
Postlicense requirement. All sales associate licensees are required to complete a post-licensing course before the first license renewal, even if the license is inactive. The course is 45 classroom hours and includes an end-of-course examination. The course emphasizes development of skills for licensees to operate effectively and to increase public protection. Any sales associate licensee who applies for broker licensure must have completed all sales associate post-license requirements.
All broker licensees are required to complete post-license education which includes either one 60-hour course or two 30-hour courses and the related exams. All post-license requirements must be met prior to their first broker license renewal date.
Exam failure. On failing the course exam, a licensee may retake the exam after failing. However, the licensee may retake the exam only one time during the year after failing. A licensee who does not pass the exam within that year must then repeat the post-license course. If the licensee does not complete the post-license course and pass the exam prior to the first license renewal date, his or her license will be deemed null and void.
To re-qualify for licensure, the individual must retake the entire prelicense course, pass that end-of-course exam, and again pass the state licensure exam. However, a broker who does not meet the broker post-license requirements may be issued a sales associate license by completing a 14-hour continuing education course within 6 months of the expiration of the broker license.
Exemption. Licensees who hold a four-year degree in real estate from an accredited institute of higher learning are exempt from post-license education requirements.
Hardship cases. The FREC may allow a six-month extension past the first license renewal date for a licensee to complete post-license requirements if the licensee cannot meet the education completion deadline due to a personal hardship. The FREC administrative code qualifies the following as hardships:
- the long-term illness of the licensee or a close relative or person for whom the licensee has care-giving responsibilities
- the lack of reasonable availability of the required course
- the licensee’s economic or technological hardship that substantially interferes with the ability to complete education requirements
- the licensee’s economic inability to meet reasonable basic living expenses
Continuing education
Course completion. Florida real estate licenses are issued for 2-year periods, requiring renewal every 2 years. During the initial licensing period, licensees are required to complete post-licensing education based on the type of license held. During that same initial period, licensees are not required to complete continuing education, but continuing education is required for every 2-year licensing period thereafter.
During each licensing period, both active and inactive sales associates and brokers are required to complete 14 classroom hours of continuing education that must include at least 3 hours of Core Law education.
Continuing education courses may be taken in the classroom, through distance learning, or by correspondence (if the licensee qualifies for a hardship). The licensee must attend at least 90% of each of the classroom hours to receive the notice of completion. The DBPR may deny license renewal for any licensee who fails to complete continuing education requirements. Failure to provide proof of continuing education or providing false proof are grounds for disciplinary action
Course credits. Because Core Law covers Florida real estate license law, Commission rules, and agency law and provides an introduction to other state laws, federal laws, and taxes affecting real estate, it is advisable for the licensee to take a 3-hour Core Law course every year to stay up to date on the laws and rules.
Any licensee who does take the course each year will be awarded 3 hours of Core Law education and 3 hours of specialty education. Licensees whose licenses expire after September 30, 2018, are also required to take a 3-hour Business Ethics course every license period. Licensees who take the Business Ethics course each year will be awarded 3 hours of Business Ethics education and 3 hours of specialty education. The remaining hours required towards the total 14 hours may be taken in specialty education courses, also known as electives.
One time during each license period, the licensee may be awarded 3 classroom hours for attending an FREC legal agenda session. To receive the credit, the licensee needs to notify the Division of Real Estate of the intent to attend the session. No credit will be awarded if the licensee attends the session as a party to a disciplinary action.
The courses must be completed by either March 31 or September 30 based on the license expiration date. A 6-month extension past the renewal date may be available if the licensee cannot meet the education completion deadline due to a personal hardship.
Exemption. These continuing education requirements do not apply to attorneys in good standing with the Florida Bar.
Reactivation education
A licensee who has been on involuntary inactive status for 12 to 24 months may complete an FREC-prescribed 28-hour education course towards reactivating the license. The course covers material from the sales associate prelicense course. The course may be taken in the classroom, through distance learning, or by correspondence if the licensee qualifies for a hardship. Completion of the course does not entitle the licensee to reactivate the license until he or she has met all other requirements.
The licensee must also pass the end-of-course exam with a score of 70% or higher. Licensees must attend a minimum of 90% of the instruction hours to be eligible to take the exam. Licensees who fail the exam may retake it one time within a year of failure. If the licensee fails the retake exam, he or she must retake the reactivation course and the end-of-course exam.
Licensees who meet the qualifications of a hardship may request a 6-month extension after license expiration by submitting the hardship basis to the FREC.
