What are the requirements to get a real estate license in Florida?

Under Chapter 475, Florida Statutes, applicants must be at least 18 years old, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, be a US citizen or legal alien with work authorization, and pass a background check. Criminal history is reviewed individually and does not automatically disqualify an applicant.

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

Q: How long does it take to get a real estate license in Tampa, FL?

Most candidates complete the entire licensing process in 8 to 12 weeks. This includes finishing the 63-hour pre-license course, submitting the DBPR application, and passing the Florida Sales Associate exam.

Q: How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Florida?

The main costs are an $83.75 DBPR application fee and a $36.75 Pearson VUE exam fee per attempt. You will also need to factor in the cost of your 63-hour pre-license course, which varies by provider.

Q: Where can I take the Florida real estate exam near Tampa?

The Florida Sales Associate exam is administered by Pearson VUE at testing centers throughout the Tampa Bay area, including locations in Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Brandon, Riverview, and Lakeland. Current locations and availability can be confirmed at home.pearsonvue.com/fl/realestate.

Q: What score do you need to pass the Florida real estate exam?

You need a score of 75 out of 100 to pass the Florida Sales Associate exam. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and is closed-book, though an on-screen calculator is available for math questions.

Step-by-step guide to getting your Florida real estate license in Tampa: 63-hour course, DBPR application, Pearson VUE locations, fees, and timeline.

Getting a real estate license in Tampa, FL requires completing a 63-hour pre-license course, passing the Florida Sales Associate exam at a Pearson VUE testing center, and submitting a DBPR application with an $83.75 fee, a process most candidates complete in 2 to 4 months from start to finish.

Quick Answer

To get a real estate license in Tampa, FL, complete a state-approved 63-hour pre-license course, apply to the DBPR for $83.75, and pass the Florida Sales Associate exam through Pearson VUE for $36.75. Most candidates finish the entire process in 8 to 12 weeks.

Why Become a Real Estate Agent in Tampa?

Tampa Bay is one of the fastest-growing real estate markets in the Southeast, making it one of the most active regions for licensed sales associates in Florida. Hillsborough County has seen consistent population growth over the past decade, driven by corporate relocations, a lower cost of living compared to coastal markets, and a strong job market anchored by healthcare, finance, and tech.

New construction is booming in Wesley Chapel, Brandon, and Riverview, where demand from first-time buyers and relocating families keeps inventory tight. South Tampa, Davis Islands, and Bayshore Boulevard attract high-value transactions, while the revitalized downtown Tampa and Channelside district have added a new wave of condo and mixed-use development. St. Petersburg and Clearwater round out the metro with their own strong buyer pools and waterfront markets.

Buyers are still arriving from higher-cost states like New York, California, and Illinois, and many are making purchasing decisions quickly. For a new agent, that means opportunity across a wide range of price points and neighborhoods from the first year of licensure.

Tampa Bay's real estate market remains one of the most active in the Southeast. Population growth, continued migration from northern states, and strong demand across Hillsborough, Pinellas, and Pasco counties have kept transaction volume high. For anyone considering a career in real estate, 2026 is a practical time to get licensed, inventory is shifting, buyers are re-entering the market, and experienced agents are in demand. Here is exactly how to make it happen.

Step 1: Confirm You Meet the Basic Requirements

Before enrolling in any course, verify that you qualify under Florida law. Under Chapter 475, Florida Statutes, a Sales Associate applicant must:

Be at least 18 years old
Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
Be a US citizen or legal alien with work authorization
Pass a background check (criminal history is reviewed, but does not automatically disqualify applicants)

If you have prior criminal history, it is worth reviewing your record before investing in coursework. DBPR evaluates each case individually, and you can request a background review before applying.

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

Florida requires 63 hours of pre-license education from a state-approved real estate school before you can sit for the exam. This course covers the core subject areas tested on the Florida Sales Associate exam, including brokerage relationships, escrow rules, fair housing, real estate math, and contracts.

In the Tampa area, candidates have several delivery options:

In-person classroom courses offered by local real estate schools in Tampa, Brandon, and Clearwater
Online self-paced courses approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), which allow you to work through the material on your own schedule
Hybrid formats that combine online content with scheduled live sessions

Completion of the 63-hour course includes a mandatory end-of-course exam. You must pass this school-administered exam before your completion certificate is issued. That certificate is required to register for the state exam.

Subjects that consistently carry the most exam weight include brokerage relationships under Florida Statute 475.278, escrow deposit timelines, documentary stamp taxes, and fair housing protections. Reviewing the 19 exam topics covered on the state exam will help you prioritize as you move through your course material.

Step 3: Submit Your DBPR Application

You can submit your Florida real estate license application to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) before or after completing your 63-hour course, many candidates apply early so their background check clears while they finish studying.

Key application details:

Application fee: $83.75 (non-refundable)
Submitted online at myfloridalicense.com
Requires disclosure of any criminal history, prior license suspensions, or disciplinary actions in any state
Background check is conducted automatically as part of the application

Processing time varies, but most applications are approved within 2 to 4 weeks when submitted with complete documentation. You will receive an eligibility confirmation from DBPR, which you will need to schedule your Pearson VUE exam.

Step 4: Schedule and Pass the State Exam

The Florida Sales Associate exam is administered by Pearson VUE. The exam fee is $36.75 per attempt, paid directly to Pearson VUE at the time of scheduling.

Pearson VUE offers testing centers throughout the Tampa Bay region, including Tampa and nearby cities. Available locations are shown when you schedule your exam at pearsonvue.com.pearsonvue.com/fl/realestate when you are ready to schedule, as testing sites do change.

The state exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. A passing score is 75 out of 100. The exam is closed-book, but A basic calculator is available during the exam for the math portions. Topics you should be confident on before exam day include:

Brokerage relationship disclosures and duties (single agent vs. transaction broker vs. no brokerage)
Escrow deposit deadlines, sales associates must deliver deposits to the broker by the end of the next business day, and brokers must deposit into escrow within 3 business days of receipt
Documentary stamp taxes, $0.70 per $100 on deeds statewide (with a Miami-Dade exception), $0.35 per $100 on promissory notes
Homestead exemption structure and the Save Our Homes cap
Fair housing protected classes under both federal law (7 classes) and Florida's Chapter 760 (which adds age and marital status)

Use practice questions to simulate exam conditions. Reviewing the formula sheet for tax calculations and proration math is especially important, real estate math questions appear throughout the exam and are highly learnable with focused practice. The glossary is a useful reference for locking in statutory terms before test day.

Step 5: Activate Your License with a Broker

Passing the exam does not automatically activate your license. A Florida Sales Associate license must be held under a licensed Florida broker to be active and allow you to legally practice real estate. Once you have selected a sponsoring broker, they submit the activation through the DBPR system.

In the Tampa Bay market, new agents have the option of joining large franchise brokerages, independent local brokerages, or transaction-fee model brokerages. Consider mentorship availability, commission splits, and training support when evaluating firms, especially for your first year.

What Comes After Licensing

Florida licenses renew every 2 years. For your first renewal, you must complete 45 hours of post-license education. After that, ongoing renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education every 2 years, including 3 hours of core law, 3 hours of a specialty topic, and 8 hours of electives.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to get a real estate license in Florida?

The state-required fees total $120.50: a $83.75 DBPR application fee and a $36.75 Pearson VUE exam fee. You will also pay separately for your 63-hour pre-license course, which varies by school and format but typically ranges from $100 to $400.

Where can I take the Florida real estate exam near Tampa?

Pearson VUE offers testing centers throughout the Tampa Bay region, including Tampa and nearby cities. Available locations are shown when you schedule your exam at pearsonvue.com. Availability and exact addresses are listed at the Pearson VUE website, visit Pearson VUE's Florida Real Estate page to view current testing locations and appointment availability.

How long does it take to get a real estate license in Tampa?

Most candidates complete the process in 8 to 12 weeks. The timeline depends on how quickly you finish the 63-hour course, how long DBPR takes to process your application (typically 2 to 4 weeks), and your exam scheduling availability.

What score do you need to pass the Florida real estate exam?

A passing score is 75 out of 100 on the Florida Sales Associate state exam. If you do not pass on the first attempt, you may retake the exam by paying the $36.75 fee again and rescheduling through Pearson VUE.

Do I need to renew my Florida real estate license, and how often?

Yes. Florida real estate licenses renew every 2 years. Your first renewal requires 45 hours of post-license education. All subsequent renewals require 14 hours of continuing education, including a mandatory 3 hours of core law.

There is no mandatory waiting period between exam attempts. If you do not pass, you may reschedule and pay the $36.75 Pearson VUE exam fee again, provided your DBPR application approval remains valid.

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

AhaPrep is built specifically for Florida real estate exam candidates. The platform covers all state-tested topics with practice questions, a formula sheet for math problems, and a glossary of key terms, everything organized around what actually appears on the Florida Sales Associate exam. Visit ahaprep.com to start preparing.