Florida Real Estate Licenses

In order to get Florida real estate licenses, candidates have to attend a school that offers the appropriate courses. While that may sound fairly logical, you might be surprised to find that you have to take pre-license courses to become a real estate sales associate or a broker. In addition, there are requirements that must be met before a sales associate can then become a broker.

Florida Real Estate Licenses Prep Courses

Before you take the state exam, you can take prep courses online that will be of immense help when you get to the testing center. Some of the prep courses you can take for Florida real estate licenses include a math review course, a cram course relating to law only, and a full cram review course. By the time you go to take the sales associate required state exam, you will be ready.

There are several real estate schools located throughout the state of Florida; however, today you can take the prep courses and the actual pre-licensing courses online. Obviously, this means that you will have the opportunity to complete the required courses in much less time than it might take to attend live classes. At home, you can go at your own pace while taking the required 63-hour Florida real estate licenses course either online or using a CD-ROM.

Why Do Associates Need Florida Real Estate Licenses?

Real estate is a business, and, if a person works hard at it, it can be a very lucrative business. As with any business, regulations are in place to protect both the business practitioner and the practitioner's service recipients. Real estate services are defined as any real estate activity that involves an exchange of money.

Interestingly enough, this definition includes something as simple as getting paid for referrals. This means that, if persons perform any real estate services for others who then compensate them, the persons who performed the services must have Florida real estate licenses. If you accept compensation for real estate services and do not have a valid license, you could be subject to a $5,000 fine and/or 5 years in jail for committing a third degree felony.

Who Can Get Florida Real Estate Licenses?

There are some basic requirements for those who want to become Florida real estate sales associates. Applicants do not have to be citizens of either Florida or the United States to apply for a Florida real estate license. They must, however, be at least 18 years of age, have received a high school diploma or GED, and must be of good character and reputation.

Before becoming a real estate sales associate, applicants must take and pass a Florida Real Estate Commission approved 63-hour course. Passing the course requires a score of 70 on the final exam which consists of 100 questions worth one point each. The questions are broken down into sections with 45 questions about principles and practices, 45 on real estate law, and 10 match questions.

Continuing Real Estate Licenses Education

Finally, before the initial license expires, applicants must pass a 45-hour post license course or their new real estate license is void and the person would have to go through the entire process from the beginning a second time. As noted, real estate associates must renew their licenses regularly.

Both the pre-licensing course and the 45-hour post licensing course can be taken online. Subsequent to the 45-hour course, a real estate sales associate is required to take at least 14 hours of study every two years. The main reason for continuing education is to keep the associate abreast of the latest changes in procedures and legal requirements.

The Value of Florida Real Estate Licenses

Florida has long been and continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the country. Real estate changes hands at an unbelievable pace year round as more and more families and individuals recognize the value of Florida real estate. If you're interested in the exciting field of real estate, Florida is one of the best places to be.