July 30, 2026
Step-by-step guide to getting your Florida real estate license in Miami: 63-hour course, DBPR application, Pearson VUE exam, fees, and post-license requirements.
To get a real estate sales associate license in Miami, you must complete a 63-hour pre-license course, submit a DBPR application with an $83.75 fee, pass a background check, and pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam through Pearson VUE for $36.75. The entire process typically takes two to four months depending on how quickly you complete your coursework and schedule your exam.
Quick Answer
Getting a real estate license in Miami requires completing a 63-hour pre-license course, applying through DBPR ($83.75), and passing the Pearson VUE exam ($36.75). Most candidates complete the full process in two to four months.
Although Florida's licensing requirements apply statewide, many candidates pursue licensure specifically to work in the Miami market, one of the most active real estate markets in the United States, driven by international buyers, luxury condo towers, and a steady influx of domestic migration. For anyone serious about building a real estate career here, understanding the exact licensing steps, and the specific numbers behind them, is the starting point. Every figure in this guide comes from Florida Statute 475 and current DBPR and Pearson VUE requirements.
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There is no Florida residency requirement to obtain a Florida real estate license, but if you are living and working in Miami, you will be subject to all Florida laws and FREC rules from day one.
Florida law requires sales associate candidates to complete a 63-hour pre-license education course approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). This course covers the topics tested on the state exam, including real estate law, brokerage relationships, contracts, financing, valuation, and closing procedures. You can find the full breakdown of tested subjects in the 19 exam topics guide.
In Miami, approved courses are offered by real estate schools in person, online, or in a hybrid format. Online courses are popular because they allow candidates to work through the 63 hours on their own schedule. Regardless of format, the hour requirement is fixed: there is no shortcut.
The course ends with a mandatory end-of-course exam. You must pass this exam before you can sit for the state licensing exam. Once DBPR approves your application, that approval is valid for two years, during which you may schedule and take the licensing examination.
You may submit your DBPR application before, during, or after completing your 63-hour course. The application fee is $83.75, paid directly to DBPR, and you can apply online through the DBPR portal. You must complete the pre-license course before you can sit for the licensing exam, but submitting the application early saves time since DBPR processing can take several weeks.
As part of the application, you will authorize a background check. DBPR reviews criminal history on a case-by-case basis. If there are items on your record, it is better to disclose them accurately than to have them discovered during review: incomplete disclosure can itself be grounds for denial.
Applicants must also submit fingerprints through a Florida-approved Livescan vendor. The fingerprinting fee is paid separately to the vendor and varies by provider. Complete fingerprinting at or before the time of application, as DBPR will not finalize your approval until results are received.
DBPR will notify you when your application is approved. You cannot schedule your Pearson VUE exam until that approval arrives: the exam fee is paid when you schedule.
Florida's real estate licensing exam is administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $36.75 per attempt, paid directly to Pearson VUE when scheduling. You can schedule online at pearsonvue.com or by phone.
The Florida Sales Associate exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You have 3.5 hours to complete it, and the passing score is 75 out of 100 (75%). The exam covers both Florida-specific real estate law and general real estate principles.
Key content areas include brokerage relationships under Florida Statute 475.278, escrow rules under FREC Rule 61J2-14.008, fair housing law, documentary stamp taxes, and math calculations. Bookmark the formula sheet and the glossary as you study: both are directly relevant to exam questions.
Pearson VUE operates multiple authorized testing centers throughout the Miami metropolitan area. Available locations are shown when you schedule and may change over time. Seats fill quickly, especially on weekends, so schedule as soon as your DBPR authorization arrives.
Pearson VUE also offers OnVUE online proctored testing, which allows you to take the exam from a private location using your own computer. Requirements are strict: a clean desk, no second monitors, a working webcam, and a stable internet connection. Review Pearson VUE's system requirements before choosing this option.
Passing the exam does not automatically activate your license. A sales associate license in Florida must be held under a licensed Florida real estate broker. Once you have selected a sponsoring broker, they submit the activation paperwork to DBPR. You cannot legally practice real estate until this step is complete.
If you have not registered with a sponsoring broker at the time of licensure, your license will remain inactive until activated under a Florida-licensed broker. In Miami's competitive market, many new associates join large brokerages or teams to access mentorship, leads, and training resources while they build their business. Research commission splits, training programs, and support structures before committing to a broker.
Your license must be renewed within two years. At your first renewal, Florida law requires you to complete 45 hours of post-license education. This is a one-time requirement for sales associates at their first renewal; it is not the same as continuing education.
After the first renewal, the ongoing requirement shifts to 14 hours of continuing education every two years. Those 14 hours must include 3 hours of Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours of Specialty Education. Missing your renewal deadline results in license expiration, which requires additional steps to reinstate.
As you prepare, these are among the most frequently tested figures. Know them cold before exam day:
Run through practice questions on these topics to make sure you can apply them under timed conditions, not just recall them in isolation.
AhaPrep is built specifically for Florida Real Estate Sales Associate candidates. The platform covers all tested topics, from escrow timelines and brokerage relationships to documentary stamp tax calculations, through practice questions, a formula sheet, and a glossary aligned with current Florida law. If you are preparing for the Pearson VUE exam, AhaPrep gives you a focused, exam-ready study resource at ahaprep.com.
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