How to Get a Real Estate License in Fort Lauderdale, FL (2026)

Getting a real estate license in Fort Lauderdale requires completing a 63-hour pre-license course, submitting a DBPR application, passing the state licensing exam, and activating your license under a Florida broker, a process most candidates complete in two to four months depending on course pace and exam scheduling availability.

Fort Lauderdale and Broward County sit at the center of one of the most dynamic real estate markets in the country. From the luxury waterfront estates of Las Olas Isles to the international buyer activity driven by South Florida's global reputation, new licensees here enter a market with significant earning potential, and significant competition. Getting licensed the right way, and being fully prepared for the state exam, is the foundation everything else is built on.

Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Basic Eligibility Requirements

Before enrolling in any course or submitting any paperwork, confirm that you meet Florida's minimum requirements under Chapter 475, F.S.:

• At least 18 years of age
• Must have a United States Social Security number
• A high school diploma or equivalent is required by DBPR
• Willing to submit to a background check via electronic fingerprints through a Florida-approved Livescan vendor

The background check is mandatory. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify an applicant, but DBPR reviews each case individually. Submit fingerprints early, processing can take time, and your application will not be approved until the background check clears.

Step 2: Complete the 63-Hour Pre-License Course

Florida requires all sales associate candidates to complete a state-approved 63-hour pre-license course before sitting for the state exam. The course covers Florida real estate law, brokerage relationships, contracts, finance, and real estate calculations, the same areas heavily represented on the licensing exam.

For Broward County residents, course options include in-person classes at local real estate schools and fully online courses approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). Online delivery is common and allows candidates to work at their own pace.

At the end of the course, you must pass the end-of-course exam. Passing that exam is what earns you the course completion certificate, and that certificate is required before you can schedule the state licensing exam. Plan your study time accordingly, because the end-of-course exam covers the full 63-hour curriculum and should not be treated as a formality.

Use AhaPrep's practice questions and glossary to reinforce concepts while you work through the course material, not just at the end.

Step 3: Submit Your DBPR Application

The DBPR application (Form RE 1) can be submitted before, during, or after completing the 63-hour course, you do not have to wait until the course is finished to apply. The application fee is $83.75.

Submitting early makes sense. DBPR approval can take several weeks, and once approved, that approval remains valid for two years to schedule or retake the exam. Getting the application in early means you won't be waiting on administrative approval after you've already finished the course and are ready to test.

Include your fingerprint receipt when submitting, or ensure your Livescan submission is already in process. Applications will not advance without a completed background check.

Step 4: Schedule and Pass the State Licensing Exam

The Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam is administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $36.75. Testing centers are available throughout South Florida, including locations convenient to Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. Every question counts equally, there is no weighting. A passing score requires answering at least 75 out of 100 questions correctly. The exam includes both general real estate principles and Florida-specific law, with brokerage relationships, license law, contracts, finance, and real estate calculations among the most frequently tested topics.

Before scheduling, make sure you have your course completion certificate in hand and that DBPR has approved your application. You cannot sit for the exam without both.

Candidates who do not pass can retake the exam. The two-year approval window from DBPR gives candidates time to prepare and retest without restarting the application process.

Review AhaPrep's breakdown of the 19 exam topics to understand what the exam covers and where to focus your preparation. The formula sheet is especially useful for the math-heavy questions on calculations, taxes, and prorations.

Step 5: Activate Your License Under a Florida Broker

Passing the exam does not mean you can immediately begin working. A Florida sales associate license must be activated under a licensed Florida broker before any real estate services can be performed. If you are not yet affiliated with a broker, your license can remain in inactive status, but inactive licensees cannot perform licensed real estate activities.

For Fort Lauderdale and Broward County candidates, broker options are plentiful. South Florida's luxury and international market has attracted major national brokerages, boutique luxury firms, and independent brokerages that specialize in waterfront properties, international buyers, and resort-style communities. Choosing the right brokerage for your market focus is a business decision worth thinking through before you sit for the exam.

Understanding Florida's Brokerage Relationship Rules

Once licensed, you will be required to comply with Florida's brokerage relationship disclosure rules under Florida Statute 475.278. Florida recognizes three types of brokerage relationships: single agent, transaction broker, and no brokerage relationship. The default, presumed unless disclosed otherwise in writing, is the transaction broker relationship.

Transaction brokers owe limited confidentiality. They must not disclose a seller's motivation, a buyer's motivation, or that either party would accept less or pay more than their stated position. Single agent disclosure must be made before or at the time of entering into a listing or buyer representation agreement. Disclosure of the brokerage relationship is required before showing property.

These rules appear on the licensing exam and govern your daily practice once licensed. Study them carefully.

Florida Real Estate License Fees at a Glance

• DBPR application fee: $83.75
• Pearson VUE exam fee: $36.75 (per attempt)
• Pre-license course: varies by provider
• Fingerprinting: varies by Livescan vendor

What Happens After You Get Licensed

Florida real estate licenses renew every two years. For the first renewal, sales associates must complete 45 hours of post-license education. After that, the requirement shifts to 14 hours of continuing education every two years, broken into three official categories: 3 hours Core Law, 3 hours Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours Specialty Education.

Missing your first post-license education deadline has serious consequences, it can result in license null and void. Mark your renewal date and plan ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Other Florida city licensing guides: Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and West Palm Beach.

AhaPrep is built specifically for Florida real estate exam candidates. Whether you are still working through the 63-hour course or preparing to schedule your Pearson VUE exam, AhaPrep's practice questions, formula sheet, and glossary give you the targeted tools to walk into the exam prepared. Visit ahaprep.com to get started.