A real estate agent in one state might wish to practise in another state, whether due to their relocation or professional interest. But since the licenses are state specific, they will have to obtain the license in the new state too. But they need not follow the application procedure step by step. Some of the educational and experience requirements may be bypassed.
A real estate agent licensed in another state can apply for real estate broker license in Florida through the following applications:
Through mutual recognition:
Mutual recognition is an agreement through which a state can recognize the educational requirements and experience of a license holder of another state.
Who can apply?
Through this application type, a real estate broker or an equivalent license holder in one of the eight states that has mutual recognition agreement with Florida can apply for a broker license in Florida. The application requirements are as follows:
- Age and citizenship: The minimum age requirement for obtaining a real estate license in Florida is 18 years. Applicants are required to have United States Social Number to apply for any real estate license.
- Original license: This facility is applicable only for license holders in states that have mutual recognition agreement with Florida. The following are the eight states that have this agreement with Florida:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
- Certification of licensure history: The applicant must submit a certification of license history from the state that they are applying for mutual agreement. A minimum of 24 months of experience is required in the preceding five years and the license should be active. The history must include the initial license exam type, current license status and disciplinary information.
License process:
- Application: The application can be submitted online or through mail.
- Online: Register in the Florida DBPR portal, fill the necessary details and provide valid documentation to apply online.
- Offline: The application form available has to be downloaded from the site, printed and filled with the details required and posted through mail.
- Exam: Mutual agreement applicants only have to take the 40 question law portion of the exam based on Florida real estate law. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass the test.
- Fee: The fee for a broker license is $91.75 which breaks down to $14.75 non-refundable application fee, $72.00 license fee and $5.00 unlicensed activity fee.
- License: On passing the test, the testing vendor uploads the grades into the DBPR database and the license number is issued. The applicant can download their license from website on their registered account after about 48 hours of the test.
- Post license: The mutual recognition applicants are subject to the post licensing guidelines of the state. Finish the FREC prescribed post licensing course and submit the completion slip to activate the license.
Through out of state experience:
Out of state experience application is to recognize the experience of a license holder even if the state in which they have a license does not have mutual recognition agreement with Florida.
Who can apply?
Through this application type, a real estate sales associate or a broker can apply to become a broker in Florida without having to be a sales associate first. The application requirements are as follows:
- Age and citizenship: The minimum age requirement for obtaining a real estate license in Florida is 18 years. Applicants are required to have United States Social Number to apply for any real estate license.
- Experience: The applicant must hold an active sales associate or broker license and must have a minimum of 24 months of experience in the preceding five years.
- Certification of licensure history: The applicant must submit a certification of license history from the state in which they hold a license. The history must include the initial license exam type, current license status and disciplinary information.
- Pre-licensing education: Applicants applying for out of state experience are required to complete the Florida 72-hour pre-licensing course. Individuals with a four year real estate degree however are exempt from the course.
License process:
The following are the steps required to obtain a real estate broker license in Florida.
- Application: The application can be submitted online or through mail.
- Online: Register in the Florida DBPR portal, fill the necessary details and provide valid documentation to apply online.
- Offline: The application form available has to be downloaded from the site, printed and filled with the details required and posted through mail.
- Pre-license: Finish the FREC pre-licensing course and get the completion slip.
- Exam: Applicants applying for out of state are required to take the full exam for licensing which consists of 100 questions. A score of 75% or higher is required to pass the test.
- Fee: The fee for a broker license is $91.75 which breaks down to $14.75 non-refundable application fee, $72.00 license fee and $5.00 unlicensed activity fee.
- License: On passing the test, the testing vendor uploads the grades into the DBPR database and the license number is issued. The applicant can download their license from website on their registered account after about 48 hours of the test.
- Post license: Finish the FREC prescribed post licensing course and submit the completion slip to activate the license.