Obtain Your Florida Real Estate License in Less Than 5 Weeks

When you choose to start a new career as a real estate agent in Florida, you don’t want to waste any time obtaining your license. The primary goal in getting your real estate license is to schedule and pass the state exam. After passing the state exam, you will be able to activate your license with a broker and start earning commissions.

Candidates typically take from 10 to 20 weeks to fulfill the real estate licensing requirements, but it can be accomplished much faster. If you plan diligently, you can get the entire process done in less than five weeks.

Use these six tips to speed up the process of getting your license:

Tip 1: Don’t try to memorize the real estate license course.

There is too much content for this approach. Move at a steady pace through the chapters and don’t be discouraged if it feels that you are not retaining all the content. You will have plenty of opportunities to challenge your memory with quizzes, flashcards and, most importantly, the end-of-course practice exam. Cognitive science shows that spacing repetitions boosts your ability to retain knowledge.

Tip 2: Pass the end-of-course exam the first time.

The pre-license end-of-course exam must be passed the first time. If you don't pass the first time, you will have to wait 30 days to retake the exam as prescribed by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). Practice tests and flashcards provided before the end-of-course exam will help you retain the course content without relying on the creation of your own study materials. Plus, accessing these materials before the exam allows you to test your knowledge and focus your review time in areas where you need it most. Retake the practice exam(s) as many times as necessary until you get at least 85% to maximize your chance of passing the pre-license course final exam – the first time.

Tip 3: Get your fingerprints taken before completing the pre-license course.

Get your fingerprints taken as early as two weeks before you expect to complete your pre-license course. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will retain the results of your background check for 12 months. If you are out-of-state, the process of scheduling, taking, and sending your results to the DBPR may take up to two weeks. Get your fingerprint requirement done early so you can check off one of the four steps to licensure. The results will be held by the DBPR, waiting to be matched with your real estate license application.

Tip 4: Submit your application promptly.

To expedite the approval process, you should submit your real estate application online the same day you complete the pre-licensing course. The Florida DBPR will start processing your application, and match your information with your background check. Submitting your application earlier also allows you more time to cure any issues with your application.

Tip 5: Take practice exams.

As you wait for your application approval, take practice tests to prepare for the state exam. This is the most important step you can take to prepare to pass the state exam. Some schools proudly advertise over 1,000 practice questions and answers, which can be too time consuming and unproductive. It is better to focus on about 300 to 400 questions that really reflect the style of actual state exam questions. These simulations are designed to help familiarize you with the content and types of questions on the exams, and then provide feedback on your areas of strength and weakness. Repeat these practices exams until you get 85% and you can be confident that you are ready for the state exam.

Tip 6: Don’t wait too long to schedule your state exam.

Avoid postponing the scheduling of your state exam until you feel 200% sure that you will pass the first time. The worst-case scenario if you fail the first time is that you will need to practice a bit more and retake it. The state exam can be rescheduled immediately for $58, an expense easily recovered with your first commission. There is no limit in terms of how many times you can retake the state exam.

If you diligently follow these simple tips, you will be set up on the fast track to obtaining your real estate license in Florida.