How to Renew Your Florida Real Estate License: A Step-by-Step Guide for Busy Agents
- Prolicense Florida
- Aug 3
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 23
Are you aware that your Florida real estate license renewal requirements change completely after your first renewal cycle? Your initial license expires in just 18 to 24 months after passing the state exam, demanding substantial educational commitment to keep your hard-earned credentials active.
First-time renewals require sales associates to complete 45 hours of post-license education, while brokers need 60 hours. Miss this critical first deadline, and you'll start over from square one – retaking the pre-license course and the state exam. After your first renewal, the requirements shift to 14 hours of continuing education during each subsequent two-year license period.
We've designed this step-by-step guide to help busy agents like you manage the renewal process effectively. Whether you're approaching your first renewal or handling ongoing requirements, knowing the specific deadlines (March 31st or September 30th) [2] and required coursework keeps your professional standing secure. The 14-hour continuing education requirement breaks down into 3 hours of Florida Core Law, 3 hours of Real Estate and Business Ethics, and 8 hours of Specialty Credit.
Course options include both online and classroom formats from various approved providers, with costs typically ranging from $150 to $250. Here's everything you need to know about keeping your Florida real estate license active and compliant.
Know Your License Expiration and Renewal Deadlines
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Tracking your Florida real estate license expiration date is essential for maintaining your professional status. This critical deadline occurs only once every two years, making it easy to overlook among daily business activities. Here's what you need to know about managing these important deadlines.
How to find your license expiration date
Your license expiration date appears clearly on the hard copy of your license. Lost your physical license? You can verify your expiration date through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) website. Visit the DBPR site and click on the "Verify a License" link at the top of the page. Search by your name or license number to locate your information. The license status and expiration date will appear in the right column of your search results.
Your new expiration date won't update in the system until within 60 days of your current expiration date, even if you've already completed your education requirements and paid fees.
Understanding the March 31 and September 30 cycles
Florida real estate licenses expire every two years on either March 31 or September 30, depending on when you first obtained your license. This biannual system divides licensees into two groups to prevent overwhelming the system with simultaneous renewals.
The DBPR will notify you via email when your license is due for renewal. Mark your renewal date in your calendar and set a reminder three months in advance.
All renewal requirements must be completed by midnight Eastern Standard Time on your expiration date. If your expiration date falls on a weekend or holiday, the renewal period extends until midnight on the next business day.
What happens if you miss the deadline
Missing your renewal deadline carries serious consequences. Your license becomes "involuntarily inactive," prohibiting you from legally conducting real estate transactions. You'll face a $25 late fee.
You have 12 months after expiration to complete your continuing education requirements, pay the renewal fee, and the late fee to reactivate your license. Failing to reactivate within this 12-month window requires completing a 28-hour reactivation education course.
Any license that remains involuntarily inactive for more than two years becomes null and void. Once this happens, you must start the licensing process completely from scratch – retaking pre-licensing courses and the state exam.
Complete Your First Renewal with Post-Licensing Education
Your first renewal operates differently than all subsequent renewals, requiring specific post-licensing education rather than standard continuing education.
45-hour requirement for Sales Associates
Newly licensed sales associates must complete 45 hours of approved post-licensing education before their first renewal deadline. This requirement applies within the first 18-24 months after receiving your initial license. Your specific renewal date falls on either March 31st or September 30th, depending on when your license was initially issued. The post-licensing course covers real estate law, ethics, client skills, valuation, marketing, financing, and advanced career growth strategies.
You'll need to pass a 3-hour final exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions, requiring a minimum score of 75% to pass. Fail twice, and you'll need to retake the entire course before attempting the exam again.
60-hour requirement for Brokers
Brokers face a more demanding first renewal process, requiring 60 hours of post-licensing education. You can complete these as a single course or as two 30-hour courses (typically Broker Investment and Broker Management). This education must be completed before your first renewal deadline, which occurs 18-24 months after receiving your license.
Where to take approved courses
Both online and classroom formats are available from numerous state-approved providers. Online options offer flexibility, allowing completion at your own pace, often with support from real estate instructors available by phone or online. Course providers electronically report your completion to the DBPR upon passing the exam.
What happens if you miss the first renewal
Failing to complete your post-licensing education by your deadline has serious consequences - your license becomes null and void. You must restart the entire licensing process from scratch, including retaking the pre-license course and state exam. Unlike standard renewals, there is absolutely no grace period for this requirement.
Meet Ongoing Florida Real Estate CE Requirements
Your license renewal becomes more straightforward after completing your first renewal cycle. The education requirements shift from post-licensing to continuing education (CE). Every two years, all licensees must complete a total of 14 hours of approved continuing education.
Breakdown of the 14-hour CE requirement
The 14-hour continuing education requirement applies equally to all licensees—Sales Associates, Brokers, and Broker Associates all follow identical CE requirements. This standardization simplifies your planning process. The renewal cycles continue following the same pattern established during your first renewal.
Core Law, Ethics, and Specialty hours explained
Your 14 hours of CE must be divided into three specific categories:
3 hours of Florida Core Law - Covers updates to Florida real estate laws
3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices - Focuses on ethical conduct
8 hours of Specialty education - Allows you to choose from various approved elective courses
This distribution keeps you current with legal changes while developing your professional expertise in areas that interest you most.
Where to find approved CE courses
You can complete your CE requirements through:
Online distance education courses
Traditional classroom settings
Always verify that your chosen provider is approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). The DBPR maintains an updated list of approved education providers on their website through their online education search tool.
Tips for tracking and submitting CE credits
Most approved providers electronically report your course completions directly to the DBPR. Keep all your completion certificates as backup documentation. This precaution can save you significant headaches if any reporting errors occur.
For Florida Bar members in good standing, you're exempt from the 14-hour CE requirement—simply notify the DBPR at 850-487-1395. All CE requirements must be completed by midnight Eastern Standard Time on your expiration. You'll then need to renew your license online through the DBPR website.
Renew or Reactivate Your License Online
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Once you've completed your education requirements, renewing your Florida real estate license online becomes straightforward. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) provides a user-friendly portal that streamlines this essential process.
Step-by-step guide to Florida real estate license renewal online
Renewing your license through the DBPR portal involves these specific steps:
Visit MyFloridaLicense.com and log in to your account (create one first if you haven't already)
Link your current license to your online account if not already connected
Verify completion of required education (post-licensing or continuing education)
Pay the renewal fee ($64 for Sales Associates, $72 for Brokers)
Confirm your renewal status afterward through the portal
Start this process at least 90 days before your expiration date to avoid last-minute pressure. DBPR sends renewal notices via email, so keep your contact information current.
How to reactivate an involuntary inactive license
Your license became involuntarily inactive? You have options based on timing:
Inactive for 1-12 months: Complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay a late fee [20]
Inactive for 13-24 months: Complete a 28-hour reactivation course and pay a late fee [20]
Inactive for over 24 months: Your license becomes null and void, requiring you to restart the licensing process entirely
Check your license status by visiting the DBPR website and searching using your name or license number.
Submitting a Continuing Education Deficiency letter
DBPR records may not reflect your completed education occasionally. When this happens:
You'll receive a Continuing Education Deficiency (CED) letter
Mail this letter along with copies of your course completion certificates to the Bureau of Education and Testing
Include your license number on all correspondence
Exemptions for Florida Bar members
Active Florida Bar members in good standing receive specific exemptions:
Exempt from the 14-hour continuing education requirement
Must still pay all renewal fees when due
Not exempt from post-licensing education in their first renewal cycle
Must provide Bar card or membership number to DBPR for verification
First-time DBPR online users need to create an account and link existing licenses, while returning users simply ensure their license is properly linked before proceeding.
Conclusion
Your Florida real estate license represents significant investment in your professional future. Protecting this credential requires staying current with renewal requirements and deadlines. Whether you need post-licensing education for your first renewal or the standard 14 hours of continuing education for subsequent cycles, the key lies in planning ahead.
Mark your expiration date on your calendar and set reminders at least 90 days before the deadline. This gives you adequate time to complete necessary coursework and handle the online renewal process through the DBPR portal. Keep digital copies of all your course completion certificates as backup documentation. While approved providers report your completions electronically, having personal records prevents headaches if reporting errors occur.
Florida Bar members remain exempt from continuing education requirements after the first renewal cycle but must still pay all required fees on time. All other licensees must complete their specific education requirements before attempting renewal.
The renewal process becomes straightforward once you understand the requirements. With proper planning and adherence to the guidelines outlined in this guide, you can manage these requirements efficiently while focusing on growing your real estate business. Your license represents years of hard work - protect this valuable credential by staying current with renewal requirements and deadlines.
Florida real estate agents must navigate different renewal requirements and strict deadlines to maintain their professional credentials and avoid costly penalties.
• Track your biannual renewal deadline - Florida licenses expire every two years on March 31st or September 30th, with no grace period for missed deadlines.
• First renewal requires extensive education - Sales associates need 45 hours of post-licensing education, while brokers need 60 hours before their first renewal.
• Ongoing renewals need 14 CE hours - After your first renewal, complete 3 hours Core Law, 3 hours Ethics, and 8 hours Specialty education every two years.
• Missing deadlines triggers penalties - Late renewals incur $25 fees, licenses inactive over 12 months require 28-hour reactivation courses, and licenses inactive over 24 months become null and void.
• Renew online through DBPR portal - Complete education requirements first, then use MyFloridaLicense.com to pay fees ($64 for Sales Associates, $72 for Brokers) and finalize renewal.
Start your renewal process at least 90 days before your expiration date to ensure adequate time for education completion and avoid the stress of last-minute deadlines. Florida Bar members are exempt from continuing education requirements but must still pay renewal fees on time.
FAQs
How do I renew my Florida real estate license?
To renew your license, complete your required education (post-licensing for first renewal or continuing education for subsequent renewals), then visit MyFloridaLicense.com to pay the renewal fee before your expiration date. Sales Associates pay $64, while Brokers pay $72.
What are the continuing education requirements for Florida real estate license renewal? After your first renewal, you must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years. This includes 3 hours of Florida Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours of Specialty education.
What happens if I miss my license renewal deadline?
If you miss the deadline, your license becomes involuntarily inactive. You'll incur a $25 late fee and have 12 months to complete your education requirements and reactivate your license. After 24 months of inactivity, your license becomes null and void.
Are there any exemptions for Florida real estate license renewal requirements?
Active Florida Bar members in good standing are exempt from the 14-hour continuing education requirement for license renewal. However, they must still pay all renewal fees and are not exempt from post-licensing education in their first renewal cycle.
How often do I need to renew my Florida real estate license?
Florida real estate licenses must be renewed every two years. Your specific renewal date will fall on either March 31st or September 30th, depending on when your license was initially issued.