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If you're thinking about getting your Florida real estate license, you've probably heard that you need to complete a 63-hour pre-license course. But what are you actually going to learn?
Here's something I tell my students: Florida's 63-hour real estate pre-license course prepares you for the licensing process, but it doesn't teach you everything you need to know to work as a real estate agent.
That's an important distinction.
The course gives you the foundation required for licensing. Learning how to put that knowledge to work with actual buyers, sellers, and real estate transactions comes with additional training and experience.
The Florida Real Estate Commission establishes the required curriculum for the sales associate pre-license course. It covers a broad range of subjects, including real estate law, property ownership, contracts, financing, appraisal, and real estate calculations.
You're learning the language of real estate, the laws that regulate the industry, and the basic principles you'll need to understand as a licensee.
Some of the material will make sense right away. Other subjects may be completely unfamiliar, especially if you're starting a new career.
That's why I encourage students to ask questions and understand the material rather than simply memorize answers.
A substantial part of your Florida real estate pre-license education focuses on the laws and rules governing real estate.
You'll learn about the Florida Real Estate Commission, licensing requirements, brokerage relationships, and the responsibilities of real estate professionals.
You'll also study what licensed sales associates are permitted to do, the role of their supervising broker, and the consequences of violating real estate law.
These subjects are important for the state exam, but they also establish the legal foundation for your future career.
You'll study different types of property ownership, deeds, title, legal descriptions, and restrictions that affect real estate.
The course also covers the basic legal principles of contracts. You'll learn about concepts such as offer and acceptance, consideration, and the elements of a valid contract.
But there's a difference between understanding contract law and knowing how to complete a real estate purchase contract.
The 63-hour course is not a hands-on class in writing purchase offers, selecting contract forms, or negotiating an actual transaction.
This is where my experience as an active real estate professional adds value. In my classroom, I can show students examples of real estate forms, explain which forms are used in different situations, and connect the textbook material to what happens in an actual transaction.
Those examples help students understand what they're studying. They don't replace the practical training they'll need when they begin working in real estate.
Yes, there's math in real estate school.
You'll learn about mortgages, financing, commission calculations, property measurements, and calculations associated with real estate transactions.
You don't have to be a math expert to get through the course. You do need to understand what a question is asking and practice working through the problems.
I tell students not to get discouraged when they miss a question. Figure out why the answer was wrong, understand the correct approach, and try again.
That's how you learn.
The course also introduces real estate markets, appraisal, investments, and other subjects that help you understand how the industry works.
The course covers the subjects established by the Florida Real Estate Commission, which provide the foundation for your state exam preparation.
However, your school exam and the Florida real estate state exam are two separate examinations.
You'll need to successfully complete your pre-license course, including its end-of-course exam, as part of the licensing process. You'll also need to pass the state exam and satisfy Florida's other licensing requirements.
My advice is to prepare throughout the course. Don't wait until the last class to start reviewing.
Understand the terminology, pay attention to the questions you miss, and make sure you understand why the correct answer is correct.
Not entirely, and I think prospective students deserve to understand that before enrolling.
Real estate school gives you the foundation for licensing. It doesn't replace the experience of working with buyers and sellers, learning your brokerage's procedures, preparing transaction documents, or managing a deal from contract to closing.
Those skills develop through practical training, mentorship, and experience.
What I bring to the classroom at 360 Florida Real Estate School is the perspective of someone who actively works in real estate. I don't just teach the terminology. I explain how the concepts relate to situations students may encounter once they're licensed.
My goal is to help students understand the material, prepare for their exams, and develop a foundation they can build on when they begin their careers.
If you're ready to get your Florida real estate license, your first step is choosing a pre-license course that fits your schedule and how you learn.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, we offer classroom instruction in Clermont and online course options for students throughout Florida.
Whether you're starting a new career or exploring a new opportunity, the 63-hour course is where your real estate education begins.
Visit 360flreschool.com to explore our Florida real estate pre-license courses.
Patti Omalley
Owner and Instructor
360 Florida Real Estate School
One of the questions I get asked most often by prospective students is, "What's your pass rate?"
My answer is simple. You get what you give.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, I do everything I can to prepare my students for their end-of-course exam and the Florida real estate state exam. I teach the required material, explain the concepts, work through practice questions, and help students understand the information they'll need to know.
But there's something I can't do. I can't study for you, and I certainly can't take the exam for you.
Getting your Florida real estate license takes work. How much effort you're willing to put into learning the material is a big part of how prepared you'll be when exam day comes.
Passing the Florida real estate exam requires more than simply showing up for class.
You have to participate, do your homework, study, and ask questions when you don't understand something. You need to spend time reviewing the material outside the classroom, especially the subjects that don't come easily to you.
For some students, real estate math is the biggest challenge. For others, it's contracts, real estate law, financing, or understanding the different types of ownership.
Everybody learns differently, and that's okay. But you have to recognize where you need additional work and be willing to put in that time.
If you don't understand something, ask me. That's why I'm there.
I'll explain it again. I'll give you another example. We'll work through it until you have a better understanding of the concept.
But when you leave the classroom, the responsibility to continue studying is yours.
I bring 19 years of experience in real estate to the classroom as an active real estate broker associate and instructor.
I don't just teach you definitions from a textbook. When we're discussing contracts, financing, agency relationships, or real estate transactions, I can explain how those concepts work in the real world.
Sometimes understanding how something actually happens in a transaction makes the information much easier to learn.
My goal is to help you understand the required course material and prepare for both your end-of-course exam and the Florida real estate state exam.
We work through practice questions, discuss important concepts, and review the subject areas covered by the Florida real estate licensing examination.
I want you to understand the material well enough to recognize what a question is asking, even when it's worded differently from the questions you've practiced.
And I want to be clear about something. No instructor can tell you exactly which questions will appear on your individual state exam or guarantee that you'll pass.
What I can do is teach you the material, share my experience, answer your questions, and give you the tools to prepare.
You have to do your part.
When I assign homework, there's a reason for it.
It's not busywork, and it's not something I assign just to keep you occupied after class.
Homework helps you figure out what you've learned and what you still need to work on.
If you get a question wrong, don't just look at the correct answer and move on. Find out why you got it wrong.
Go back through the material. Read the explanation. Ask questions.
Maybe you misunderstood what the question was asking. Maybe you confused two different concepts. Maybe there's an entire subject you need to spend more time studying.
That's valuable information to have before you sit down for your exam.
The goal isn't to memorize a bunch of answers and hope you see the same questions on exam day.
The goal is to understand what you're learning.
When somebody asks me about my school's pass rate, I want them to understand something important.
A percentage doesn't tell me how much effort you're going to put into preparing for your exam.
Every student comes into the classroom with different experiences, different study habits, and different levels of understanding.
Some students pick up the material quickly. Others need more time and practice.
What matters is what you do with the education you're receiving.
I'll teach you. I'll explain the material. I'll work through questions with you, and I'll do everything I can to help you prepare.
But I can't do the work for you.
If you come to class, participate, complete your homework, study, and ask questions when you need help, you're taking responsibility for your own education.
If you expect to show up, listen for a few hours, and pass without doing any work outside the classroom, you're making things much harder on yourself.
There are no guarantees when it comes to passing an exam. But there is a big difference between hoping you're prepared and actually putting in the work to prepare.
That's what I mean when I say you get what you give.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, I want my students to do more than pass a test. I want them to understand what they're learning and begin building a foundation for their real estate careers.
We offer Florida real estate pre-license education online and in person, so you can choose the learning environment that works for you.
If you prefer learning in a classroom where you can ask questions and work through real-world examples, I'd love to have you join me.
If online education works better with your schedule, that's an option too.
But whichever way you choose to learn, the responsibility to study and prepare is still yours.
I'll do my part.
You do yours.
You get what you give.
If your Florida real estate license is already involuntarily inactive, September 30, 2026 is not a date you want to ignore.
We’ve spent the last couple of weeks talking about active licensees who need 14 hours of continuing education and first-renewal sales associates who need the 45-hour post-license course.
But there’s another group that needs to pay attention.
The people whose licenses are already involuntarily inactive.
If that’s you, your license has not necessarily disappeared. But you cannot conduct licensed real estate activity while your license is involuntarily inactive.
And if you leave it that way too long, the situation can become much more serious.
Check Your License Status First
Before you sign up for anything, look up your Florida real estate license through DBPR and see exactly what your status says.
Don’t guess.
Don’t assume you need the same course somebody else in your office is taking.
Your education requirement depends on your current license status and how long the license has been involuntarily inactive.
If your license has been involuntarily inactive for 12 months or less, you may generally reactivate after completing the required 14 hours of continuing education.
If your license has been involuntarily inactive for more than 12 months but fewer than 24 months, the requirement increases to 28 hours of reactivation education.
That’s why checking your actual DBPR record matters.
The 28-Hour Reactivation Course Is Different From Regular CE
This is another place where people get confused.
The 28-hour reactivation course is not the same thing as the regular 14-hour continuing education course.
It is also not the same thing as the 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License course.
Those are three different education requirements for three different situations.
If your license is involuntarily inactive and you are approaching the end of the allowable inactive period, you need to make sure you complete the appropriate reactivation education before your deadline.
Don’t just register for whatever course sounds familiar.
Make sure you are taking the course that actually applies to your license.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
An involuntarily inactive license can be reactivated.
A null-and-void license is a different story.
A Florida real estate license that remains involuntarily inactive for more than two years automatically expires and becomes null and void.
That means the clock matters.
If you are already in that involuntarily inactive period and September 30 is your deadline, this is not something to keep pushing off.
You do not want to get to October and realize the license you thought you could simply reactivate is now gone.
Why the 28-Hour Reactivation Course Actually Makes Sense
Nobody gets excited about being told they need another class.
I get it.
But if you have been out of active real estate for a while, a lot can change.
Laws change. Rules change. Contracts change. Technology changes. Business practices change.
And the market definitely changes.
So the 28-hour reactivation course is not just about satisfying a licensing requirement.
It is also a chance to get caught up before you start working with buyers and sellers again.
You may remember plenty from when you were active.
You may also be surprised by how much has changed.
Either way, I would rather see somebody come back into the business prepared than jump back in assuming everything works exactly the same way it did before.
Don’t Wait Until September 30 to Figure It Out
If your license is involuntarily inactive, take a few minutes today and look it up.
Check the status.
Check the expiration date.
Find out how long it has been inactive.
Then determine exactly what education you need.
If you are in the September 30, 2026 renewal group, don’t wait until the last day to start figuring this out.
September 30 is the deadline.
It should not be the day you start thinking about what you need.
Reactivate Your Florida Real Estate License With 360
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, we offer the 28-hour Florida Real Estate Reactivation Course online for licensees who need to get their license back into active status.
We also offer 14-hour continuing education and 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License education, depending on where you are in your licensing cycle.
The important thing is taking the correct course.
If you are not sure which one applies to you, check your DBPR record first.
And if you are still unsure, ask before you enroll.
I would much rather help you figure it out now than have you spend time and money taking the wrong course.
You Already Earned the License. Don’t Let It Go.
Maybe you stepped away from real estate.
Maybe life got busy.
Maybe you missed a renewal.
It happens.
But if your Florida real estate license is involuntarily inactive and you want to keep it, deal with it now.
Check your status.
Complete the required education.
Handle your renewal.
And get that license back where it belongs.
Active.
If your Florida real estate license expires September 30, 2026, now is the time to check your education requirements and get them completed.
Not September 29.
Not when somebody in your office reminds you.
Now.
There are two very different education requirements that can apply to Florida real estate sales associates, and the consequences of missing the deadline are very different.
If this is your first license renewal, you generally need the 45-hour Florida Sales Associate Post-License course.
If you are past your first renewal and have a current active Florida real estate license, you generally need 14 hours of continuing education.
Here is the part I really want licensees to understand.
If you need the 14-hour continuing education and fail to properly renew by the deadline, your active license can become involuntarily inactive.
If this is your first renewal and you fail to complete the required 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License education before your license expires, your license becomes null and void.
Those are two very different consequences.
First, Check Your Florida Real Estate License Expiration Date
Florida real estate licenses generally expire on either March 31 or September 30, depending on the individual license cycle.
This article is specifically for licensees whose DBPR record shows an expiration date of September 30, 2026.
Don't assume you know your expiration date. Check your license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Then determine which education requirement applies to you.
That one step can prevent a very expensive mistake.
If you are a Florida real estate sales associate approaching your first renewal after becoming licensed, you generally must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education before the expiration date on your license.
This is not the regular 14-hour continuing education course.
The first renewal is different.
And this is not a deadline you want to miss.
If you fail to complete the required 45-hour post-license education before your first renewal deadline, your sales associate license becomes null and void.
Let me put that in plain English.
You do not simply become inactive and take your 45-hour course later.
You lose the license.
If you want to become licensed again, you generally have to start the licensing process over, including completing the required pre-license education and passing the state licensing examination again.
Think about everything you did to earn that license in the first place.
You took the course. You studied. You applied. You completed your fingerprints and background requirements. You passed the state exam.
Why risk doing all of that again because you waited too long to complete your 45-hour post-license education?
Already Past Your First Renewal? You Generally Need 14 Hours of Continuing Education
If you have already completed your first renewal and your current active Florida real estate license expires September 30, you generally fall under the regular 14-hour continuing education requirement.
The 14 hours consist of 3 hours of Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours of specialty education.
You must also satisfy the applicable DBPR renewal requirements and renewal fee by the deadline.
If a current active licensee fails to properly renew, the license can revert to involuntarily inactive status.
That is different from the first-renewal 45-hour situation.
Your license does not immediately become null and void, but you cannot simply continue conducting licensed real estate activity as though nothing happened.
That is not where an actively practicing real estate professional wants to be.
This is much easier to handle before September 30 than after it.
Don't Confuse the 14-Hour CE Course With the 45-Hour Post-License Course
This may be the most important part of this entire article.
I don't want somebody saying, “I did my continuing education. I'm good,” only to discover that this was actually their first renewal and they needed the 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License course.
For a Florida real estate sales associate, the basic distinction is simple.
First renewal: 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License education.
Later renewal cycles: 14-hour Continuing Education.
They are not interchangeable.
Know which requirement applies to your license before you register for a course.
If you're unsure, check your original license date and your current expiration date through DBPR.
Ask the question now.
Finding out after September 30 is too late.
September 30 Sounds Far Away Until It Isn't
We're in September now, and every renewal cycle I see people who wait.
They know the expiration date is coming. They tell themselves they'll get to it next week.
Then work gets busy.
A transaction blows up.
The kids need something.
They go out of town.
They forget.
Suddenly it's September 28 and they're trying to figure out what course they need and whether they can finish everything before the deadline.
Don't do that to yourself.
Especially if you need the 45-hour post-license course.
You worked too hard to earn your Florida real estate license to lose it over something you could have completed ahead of time.
Online or In Person? Pick the Option You'll Actually Complete
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, we offer options for Florida real estate licensees who need to complete their required education.
If online education works better with your schedule, take it online.
If you learn better in a classroom where you can ask questions, talk through real-world situations, and learn with other agents, take it in person.
The important thing is getting the correct education completed before your deadline.
Don't wait until the last few days and hope everything works out.
Post-Licensing Should Be More Than Checking a Box
I know the immediate goal is maintaining your license.
But I also don't believe post-licensing should feel like 45 hours of sitting somewhere just because the state told you to do it.
By this point, you've actually been in real estate.
Maybe you've worked with a buyer.
Maybe you've written an offer.
Maybe you've sat an open house, attended an inspection, worked through a contract, or had somebody ask you a question you didn't know how to answer.
That's when education starts making more sense.
You have context now.
You're not just memorizing information for a state exam. You're learning things you can connect to the business you're actually trying to build.
Getting the license was step one.
Learning how to use it is the next part.
Continuing Education Matters Too
The same thing applies to experienced licensees completing their 14-hour continuing education.
Real estate doesn't stand still.
Laws change. Rules change. Contracts change. Markets change. Technology changes. Business practices change.
Continuing education is a licensing requirement, but it should also be an opportunity to make sure you're staying current in the profession you're practicing.
You've got to do the hours anyway.
You might as well learn something.
Don't Risk Your Florida Real Estate License Over a Deadline
If your Florida real estate license expires September 30, 2026, take a few minutes today and figure out exactly where you stand.
Check your license.
Check your expiration date.
Determine whether you need the 45-hour Sales Associate Post-License course or the 14-hour Continuing Education course.
Then get it completed.
If this is your first renewal and you need the 45-hour post-license course, missing that requirement can mean your license becomes null and void.
If you are in a later renewal cycle and fail to properly renew your current active license, you can end up involuntarily inactive.
Neither situation is worth putting off something you already know you have to do.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, you can complete your required education online or in person.
If you're not sure which course you need, ask.
I'd much rather help somebody figure that out before September 30 than have them discover afterward that they took the wrong course or didn't complete what their license required.
You earned your Florida real estate license.
Now protect it.
You passed the Florida real estate exam. You joined a brokerage. You’re learning the systems, the contracts, and your local market.
Now comes the question almost every new agent asks:
How do I actually get clients?
A lot of new agents make this harder than it needs to be because they think they suddenly have to become a salesperson everywhere they go.
You don’t.
You don’t need to walk into every room looking for a lead or turn every conversation into real estate. And you definitely don’t need to become some polished version of what you think a real estate agent is supposed to be.
You need to get visible. Talk to people. Build relationships.
Most importantly, be yourself.
You cannot be a silent real estate agent. But that doesn’t mean you have to be a pushy one.
Your first network is probably bigger than you think.
Family. Friends. Neighbors. Former coworkers. People from school, the gym, church, clubs, organizations, and local businesses you frequent.
Let them know you’re in real estate.
That doesn’t mean calling everyone in your phone and asking whether they’re ready to buy or sell a house.
Please don’t do that.
Just have conversations.
If someone asks what you’re doing these days, tell them.
“I just got my real estate license and I’m working with XYZ Realty.”
That may be all you need to say.
People can’t refer business to you if they don’t know what you do. But there’s a big difference between letting people know you’re in real estate and making everyone you meet feel like a prospect.
You’re building relationships, not chasing every person you meet for a lead.
The person you’re talking to may never buy or sell with you. Six months from now, though, their sister may be moving to Florida. Their neighbor may need to sell. A coworker may ask if they know a real estate agent.
Who are they going to think of?
Hopefully, you.
I tell new agents to network all the time.
But networking doesn’t mean walking into an event and seeing how many business cards you can hand out before the appetizers are gone.
Go meet people.
Ask questions. Listen. Find out what they do, where they’re from, and how long they’ve lived in the area.
Be interested in people instead of constantly waiting for your chance to talk about real estate.
People can tell the difference.
Attend local Chamber events, community gatherings, association functions, broker opens, and real estate events. Support local businesses. Get involved in something you actually enjoy.
And I mean actually enjoy.
If you hate golf, don’t join a golf league just because somebody told you successful people play golf.
Find places where you naturally fit.
That’s where real relationships happen.
Your social media is part of your professional presence now, whether you planned on that or not.
People will look you up.
That doesn’t mean your entire social media feed needs to turn into one long real estate commercial.
Please let people get to know you.
Talk about real estate. Share useful information. Explain something buyers or sellers may not understand. Highlight your community. Talk about what you’re learning.
But still be you.
If you’re funny, be funny.
If you’re more serious, that’s fine.
If you love dogs, gardening, restaurants, boating, sports, or whatever else makes up your life, people can see some of that too.
You’re a real estate professional, but you’re also a human being.
Use common sense. Look through your profiles and remember that future clients, brokers, lenders, and other agents may see what you post.
Professional doesn’t have to mean boring.
I think video is one of the best ways to let people get comfortable with you before they ever meet you.
And no, you don’t need a studio.
You don’t need expensive equipment, perfect lighting, or a memorized script.
Pick up your phone and talk.
Answer a common buyer question. Explain something you learned. Talk about a neighborhood. Walk through a property and point out something people might not notice. Share something happening in your local market.
Speak the same way you would if someone were sitting across the table from you.
Because eventually, people are going to meet you.
If your online personality and your real personality are two completely different people, what was the point?
Be who you are from the beginning.
Some people will connect with your humor. Someone else will appreciate how direct you are. Another person may like that you’re patient and take time to explain things.
You’re not going to be the right real estate agent for everybody.
You don’t need to be.
You want the clients who are the right fit for you.
Don’t forget about the other agents in your market.
Yes, they’re technically your competition.
They’re also the people you’ll be doing business with.
Introduce yourself at classes, broker opens, association events, office meetings, showings, and community events.
Get to know agents from other brokerages.
Be professional. Be pleasant to work with. Answer your phone. Return messages. Do what you say you’re going to do.
Agents remember that.
Someday you’ll have a listing and another agent will have the buyer. An agent may need someone to cover a showing. Someone may have a referral outside their market.
Real estate is competitive, but it’s also cooperative.
You don’t need to treat every other agent like the enemy.
You might do everything I just told you and still not have someone call tomorrow morning asking you to list their house.
That’s normal.
Relationships take time. Trust takes time. People usually need to see and hear from you more than once.
That’s why consistency matters.
Keep talking to people.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
Keep making the videos even when the first few get twelve views and three of them are probably relatives.
Every conversation doesn’t need to produce a lead.
Every video doesn’t need to go viral.
Every networking event doesn’t need to produce a closing.
You’re building a business.
One conversation leads to another. One relationship leads to an introduction. Someone remembers your name when they hear, “Do you know a good real estate agent?”
Those little things add up.
While you’re building your real estate business, don’t forget that getting licensed wasn’t the end of your education.
Florida sales associates are required to complete 45 hours of approved post-licensing education before their first license renewal, unless an applicable exemption applies.
After that initial renewal, Florida real estate licensees generally complete 14 hours of continuing education for each renewal cycle.
Don’t wait until your expiration date is staring you in the face.
And don’t look at post-licensing as something you just have to get out of the way.
This is when the education starts making more sense because now you have some real-world context.
You’ve been in the office.
You’ve looked at contracts.
Maybe you’ve gone on a showing or sat at an open house.
Maybe someone finally asked you a question and you thought, “Oh boy. I have no idea.”
That’s okay.
That’s how you start figuring out what you still need to learn.
Passing the Florida real estate exam gets you licensed.
It doesn’t teach you everything you need to know to build a real estate business.
That comes from experience, training, continued education, conversations, mistakes, mentors, transactions, and showing up over and over again.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, I work with people entering the business and with licensed agents continuing their education through Florida post-licensing and continuing education courses.
No matter where you are in that process, remember this:
Don’t try to become somebody else’s idea of what a real estate agent should be.
Be you.
Talk to people.
Listen more than you sell.
Build relationships.
Keep learning.
Keep showing up.
And don’t be a silent real estate agent.
You have completed your required training, learned your brokerage systems, and started studying your local market.
Now it is time to let people know you are in real estate.
You cannot get licensed and then quietly wait for someone to hand you a buyer or seller. Real estate is a relationship business, and relationships start when people know who you are and what you do.
You cannot be a silent real estate agent.
Start with the people you already know.
Tell your family, friends, neighbors, former coworkers, and community contacts that you are now working in real estate.
You do not have to be pushy or turn every conversation into a sales pitch. Simply make sure people know what you do and how you can help.
People cannot refer business to you if they do not know you are in the business.
Start organizing your contacts, collecting email addresses, and staying in touch. You want people to remember your name when they hear that someone is thinking about buying or selling a home.
Your social media is now part of your professional presence.
Review your profiles and remove anything that could hurt your business or immediately divide potential clients. Political arguments, angry posts, and online battles are not helping you build relationships.
That does not mean you should erase your personality.
Be yourself, but remember that buyers, sellers, lenders, other agents, and future clients may look at your social media before deciding whether to work with you.
Make sure your profiles clearly show that you are a real estate professional. Use a current photo, include your contact information, and begin sharing useful real estate content.
Video gives people an opportunity to see your personality and become comfortable with you before they ever call.
You do not need expensive equipment, perfect lighting, or a memorized script. Use your phone and speak naturally.
Talk about what you are learning. Explain something happening in the local market. Share a home-buying tip. Walk through a neighborhood. Answer a common question.
Do not try to sound like every other agent online.
Be who you are.
Your personality is not a weakness. It is one of your greatest strengths.
Some people will connect with your humor. Others will appreciate your energy, patience, directness, or the way you explain things.
You will not be the right agent for everyone, and that is okay. The goal is to let the right people get to know you, like you, and trust you.
Social media matters, but it does not replace meeting people.
Attend chamber events, community gatherings, local business events, open houses, and association functions. Show up when you are invited and have real conversations.
Do not walk into every event trying to collect a lead.
Your goal is to become part of the community and allow people to get to know you over time.
Network, network, network.
The more people you meet, the more opportunities you create for future business and referrals.
Other real estate agents should also be part of your network.
Introduce yourself at training sessions, broker opens, association events, and showings. Collect contact information and begin building professional relationships with agents in your market.
When you eventually have a new listing, you will want a network of agents who may already have the right buyer.
Real estate is competitive, but it is also cooperative. Strong relationships with other agents can become an important part of your business.
You may not receive an immediate phone call after attending one event or posting one video.
Keep going.
Stay visible. Continue learning. Follow up with people. Share useful information and keep showing up in your community.
Trust is not built from one post or one conversation. It develops over time through consistency.
Every conversation, event, video, and new relationship is another stepping stone in your real estate career.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, I teach students that passing the Florida real estate exam is only the beginning.
I also train and mentor new agents as they build confidence, learn the business, and develop the relationships needed for a successful real estate career.
Get out in the community. Let people know what you do. Use social media naturally. Be professional, but always be yourself.
You cannot be a silent real estate agent.
Okay, you have taken the course, passed the Florida real estate exam, received your license, and joined a brokerage.
Now what?
Your first 30 days are about getting set up, learning the business, and preparing for your first client.
Getting licensed does not mean you are finished with training.
Depending on your brokerage, MLS, local board or association, and professional memberships, you may still need orientation, Code of Ethics training, lockbox instruction, or system-specific classes.
Ask your broker what is required, complete it, and make sure all your accounts are active.
Find out where to access contracts, disclosures, forms, training, and transaction support.
Make sure your email, voicemail, contact information, showing system, and brokerage profile are correct.
Most importantly, know who to call when you have a question.
Yes, this matters.
Do not let your first attempt at opening an electronic lockbox happen while buyers are standing behind you waiting to see a home.
Make sure your access works and practice before your first showing.
Set up a daily market watch for the areas where you want to work.
Follow new listings, price changes, pending sales, expired listings, and closed properties.
Visit vacant homes whenever possible. Pay attention to location, condition, layout, upgrades, and pricing.
The more homes you see, the more confident and prepared you will become.
Set up your Zillow, Realtor.com, brokerage, and other professional profiles.
Use a current photo and make sure your phone number, email address, brokerage information, and service areas are accurate.
Write an About Me section that sounds like you.
People may search your name before they call. Make sure what they find looks professional and complete.
Your first 30 days are not about knowing everything or waiting for a closing.
They are about building the foundation.
Complete the required training. Learn your systems. Practice opening a lockbox. Study your market. Visit homes. Finish your profiles.
These are the stepping stones that help you become a prepared and confident real estate agent.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, I teach students that passing the Florida real estate exam is only the beginning.
I also train and mentor new agents as they learn how the business works, build confidence, and prepare for real-world situations.
Getting licensed opens the door. Learning how to use that license is what comes next.
In Part Two, we will cover social media, networking, visibility, and why you cannot be a silent Realtor.
One of the most important decisions you’ll make after earning your Florida real estate license is choosing the brokerage where you’ll begin your career.
I tell my students that choosing a brokerage is a lot like buying a house. Sometimes you just know when something feels right.
Whether you meet with a broker in person or over Zoom, pay attention to how you feel during the conversation. Do they take time to answer your questions? Do you feel respected? Do they seem genuinely interested in helping you build a successful real estate career, or do you feel like they’re simply trying to recruit another agent?
You’re not just choosing a place to hang your license. You’re choosing the people who will help shape the beginning of your career. You should feel confident that you’re joining a brokerage where you’ll be supported, encouraged, and given the opportunity to grow.
One of the first questions I recommend asking is whether the broker is a competing broker.
In other words, if a lead comes into the brokerage, does the broker keep that opportunity, or is it shared with the agents? Every brokerage operates differently, and understanding how business is handled can tell you a great deal about the company’s culture and how it supports its agents.
As a new real estate agent, training should be one of your highest priorities.
Ask what type of training is available, how often it’s offered, and whether there are additional costs. Find out if you’ll have access to a mentor or someone you can call when you’re writing your first contract or working through a difficult transaction. Those resources can make all the difference during your first year.
Think about your first contract, your first inspection issue, or your first difficult conversation with a client. When those situations arise, will someone be available to guide you? Having experienced professionals you can turn to builds confidence, and confidence is something every new agent needs.
I also encourage every new agent to interview more than one brokerage.
Remember, they’re interviewing you, but you’re interviewing them too.
Ask questions. Meet the broker. Talk with the agents. Learn about the office culture and how people work together. You’re looking for more than a commission split. You’re looking for a place where you’ll continue learning, growing, and developing your skills.
One of the biggest mistakes I see new agents make is focusing only on the commission split.
When you’re just starting your real estate career, training, mentorship, and support are often worth far more than a higher commission.
I know it’s tempting to look at the dollars, but ask yourself this: if you’re earning a larger commission and don’t know how to write a contract, negotiate an inspection issue, or confidently guide a client through a transaction, are you really ahead?
Some brokerages offer higher commission splits because they expect agents to be more independent. Others invest heavily in training, coaching, and mentorship to help new agents build a successful business.
In your first year, don’t make your decision based solely on what you’ll earn from one transaction. Think about what you’ll learn over the next twelve months.
The knowledge, confidence, and experience you gain early in your career will pay dividends long after you’ve forgotten what your commission split was on your first sale.
Every real estate brokerage has its own culture, expectations, and business model. Some are built around developing new agents, while others are better suited for experienced professionals. The key is finding the brokerage that matches where you are in your career today.
Here’s something else I tell my students: your first brokerage doesn’t have to be your forever brokerage.
As your experience grows, your goals may change, and that’s perfectly normal. The important thing is to choose a brokerage that gives you the best opportunity to learn, gain confidence, and build a strong foundation for your future.
I’ve been in real estate for nearly 20 years, and I’ve learned that the brokerage you choose can have a tremendous impact on your education, your confidence, and the direction of your career.
Don’t be afraid to ask the hard questions. You’re making an important career decision, and a good broker should welcome those questions.
Don’t rush the decision.
Interview several brokerages.
Trust your instincts.
The right brokerage won’t just give you a place to hang your license. It will help you become the real estate professional you want to be.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, my goal isn’t simply to help students pass the Florida real estate licensing exam. My goal is to prepare them for the real-world decisions they’ll face after becoming licensed.
Choosing the right brokerage is one of those decisions. Taking the time to find the right fit can help you build the confidence, knowledge, and support system needed for a long and successful Florida real estate career.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear from new agents is that getting a Florida real estate license is the hard part.
The truth is, getting licensed is just the beginning.
Building a successful real estate career takes time, consistency, and a commitment to doing the work every day.
After nearly 20 years in real estate, I’ve learned that the most successful agents aren’t always the smartest people in the room. They’re the ones who consistently show up, continue learning, and build relationships.
I tell my students all the time, if you’re sitting at home waiting for the phone to ring, you’re going to be waiting a long time.
Real estate doesn’t work that way.
If you want to build a successful career, you have to get out into your community. Meet people. Build relationships. Have conversations. Let people get to know you, like you, and trust you. That’s how real estate businesses are built.
Your clients expect you to understand what’s happening in the neighborhoods where they want to buy or sell. They expect you to know current market conditions, pricing, financing options, contracts, and the buying and selling process.
That knowledge doesn’t come from passing a licensing exam.
It comes from continuing to learn every day.
One of the biggest mistakes I see new agents make is believing success happens overnight.
It doesn’t.
The agents who build lasting careers are the ones who answer their phones, return calls, follow up with people, continue their education, and show up every day, even when business feels slow.
Those daily habits may not seem exciting, but they build something incredibly valuable over time.
Trust.
People do business with people they know, like, and trust.
That’s why relationship building has always been the foundation of a successful real estate career.
As your relationships grow, something else begins to happen.
Past clients call you again.
Friends refer their family.
Former customers recommend you to coworkers and neighbors.
Eventually, your business begins to grow through referrals.
A referral-based business isn’t built in a few months. It’s earned through honesty, professionalism, market knowledge, and consistently doing the right thing for your clients.
I always encourage new agents to stop focusing on how quickly they can make money and start focusing on becoming the kind of professional people want to recommend.
The money follows the relationships.
The relationships are built on trust.
And trust is earned one conversation, one client, and one transaction at a time.
Real estate has been an incredible career for me, but it didn’t happen overnight. It was built through hard work, continuing education, meaningful relationships, and showing up every day ready to serve my clients.
If you’re willing to do the work, continue learning, and put your clients first, you’ll build a career that can last a lifetime.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, my goal isn’t simply to help students pass the Florida real estate licensing exam.
My goal is to help them build the foundation for a successful Florida real estate career.
From the first day of class, I encourage students to think beyond getting licensed and start developing the habits, knowledge, and professionalism that lead to long-term success in the real estate industry.
One of the most common questions I hear is:
“How much does it cost to become a real estate agent in Florida?”
The answer depends on the school, fingerprinting provider, and business tools you choose, but most students should budget approximately $2,300 from start to finish.
That estimate includes the required pre-licensing course, fingerprinting, DBPR application, state exam fees, post-licensing requirements, and the basic tools needed to begin a real estate career.
Let’s break down where those costs come from.
The first step in obtaining your Florida real estate license is completing a state-approved 63-hour pre-licensing course.
This course provides the education required by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) before you can move forward with the licensing process.
Course pricing varies depending on the school and whether you choose an online or in-person learning experience. The most important factor is selecting a school that helps you understand the material, not simply memorize information for a test.
Florida requires all real estate applicants to complete electronic fingerprinting through an approved LiveScan service provider.
The fingerprints are submitted to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI for background screening.
Most students can expect fingerprinting costs to range between $50 and $90, depending on the provider.
One of the biggest mistakes students make is waiting until after the course to complete fingerprinting. I always recommend getting fingerprinted while taking the course so you are ready to move forward as soon as class ends.
Before you can take the Florida real estate state exam, you must submit an application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
The application fee is approximately $84, although students should always verify current fees directly with the state.
Submitting your application while taking the course can save valuable time and help avoid unnecessary delays.
Once approved by the DBPR, students are eligible to schedule the Florida real estate state exam through Pearson VUE.
The exam fee is currently $57 per attempt.
While many students pass on their first attempt, others may need additional tries. The important thing is to stay focused, stay prepared, and keep moving forward.
Many students think the costs stop once they pass the state exam.
They don’t.
New real estate agents often have additional expenses such as:
MLS access
REALTOR® association dues
Lockbox access
Business cards
Marketing materials
Post-licensing education
Technology and software tools
The exact amount varies depending on your local market and the tools you choose to invest in.
When students ask me what it costs to become a real estate agent, I usually tell them to budget approximately $2,300 from start to finish.
That estimate includes:
Pre-licensing education
Fingerprinting
DBPR application fees
State exam fees
Post-licensing requirements
Basic startup expenses
The exact amount may vary, but budgeting around $2,300 helps students understand the true investment required to launch a real estate career.
When I tell students to budget around $2,300, the first reaction is often:
“That’s a lot of money.”
My response is simple:
You can’t build a house without a hammer.
Every profession requires tools and resources to be successful.
For real estate professionals, those tools include education, licensing, MLS access, continuing education, marketing, and the resources needed to serve clients professionally.
The licensing process isn’t just an expense—it’s an investment in your future.
Compared to many professions that require years of education, expensive certifications, or significant student loan debt, real estate remains one of the most affordable ways to start a professional career and build a business of your own.
Many students focus on what it costs to get licensed.
A better question might be:
What is the opportunity worth?
Real estate offers one of the lowest barriers to entry among professional careers. While success requires effort, education, and consistency, many agents earn back their initial investment within their first few transactions.
The key is treating your license like a business and committing to the process.
The biggest mistake I see isn’t spending too much money.
It’s losing momentum.
Students finish the course and wait months to complete fingerprinting.
They delay submitting their DBPR application.
They postpone taking the state exam.
The longer you wait, the more information you forget.
That’s why I encourage students to complete fingerprinting and submit their DBPR application while they are still taking the course.
Momentum matters.
Students who keep moving forward often have a much smoother licensing experience.
At 360 Florida Real Estate School, students receive guidance throughout the entire Florida real estate licensing process.
From the 63-hour pre-licensing course to fingerprinting, DBPR applications, and preparation for the Florida real estate exam, our goal is to help students move through the process efficiently and confidently.
Whether you choose online or in-person instruction, you’ll receive the education and support needed to begin your real estate career.
The cost of becoming a Florida real estate agent is more than just a course fee.
It’s an investment in a new opportunity, a new skill set, and potentially a new career.
Understanding the costs upfront allows students to plan appropriately, avoid surprises, and move through the licensing process with confidence.
720 West Montrose Street, Clermont, FL 34711(630) 715-1403
