How Much Does a Real Estate License Cost in Florida?

Sticker shock happens a lot when folks first look into getting their real estate license in Florida. The price can be more than most people expect, and there’s a lot more involved than just signing up for a class. If you’re planning to step into the property game, knowing where your money goes makes it way less stressful—and you won’t get blindsided halfway through.

First thing to know: you can’t skip anything. There are required courses, state fees, a test, background checks, and a few sneaky extras most people miss. But every single aspiring agent has to pay the same basic charges, so once you know them, you can plan ahead and worry less about surprise bills. We’ll walk through each part so you get a grip on every dollar you’ll need to shell out—no vague answers, just what really happens.

• Breaking Down the Basics: What You Have to Pay
• Pre-License Education Costs
• State Application and Exam Fees
• Fingerprinting and Background Check
• Extra Costs Nobody Warns You About
• Tips for Saving Money and Getting Started

Breaking Down the Basics: What You Have to Pay

Let’s get down to real numbers. When you’re looking to get a real estate license in Florida, there are a few specific fees you have to pay, no way around them. These aren’t suggestions—they’re required, and the state tracks every step.

Here’s where your money goes right out of the gate:

• Pre-license course tuition: You need to complete 63 hours of state-approved education. Most Florida real estate schools charge between $120 and $400 for the course, depending on whether it’s online or in-person and if extras are included.
• State application fee: The official application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) will cost you $83.75 as of June 2025.
• Exam fee: When you book your state licensing exam, expect to pay $36.75 each try. Yes, you can retake it if needed (each attempt costs the same).
• Fingerprinting/background check: Florida requires a background check for all new licensees. The fingerprinting fee is usually $50–$80, and you can get it done at several approved locations statewide.

Add those up, and you’re looking at a ballpark range of $290 to $600 just for the things you can’t skip. If you fail the test and need a retake, or if you need extra study tools, those numbers go up.

Keep in mind: there are a few one-time costs, but also some that could repeat (like test retakes). It’s smart to budget for the high end so you don’t get caught short. People often forget about little add-ons like getting transcripts or paying for notary stamps—so always leave a buffer in your savings before you start.

Pre-License Education Costs

If you want to become a real estate license holder in Florida, you can’t get around pre-license education. The state requires everyone to finish a 63-hour course from an approved school before you even think about applying for your license. There’s no skipping this, even if you’ve watched every episode of those house-flipping shows you love.

Now for the real question: how much will it set you back? On average, most online schools in Florida charge anywhere from $120 to $400 for the full 63-hour course. If you go with a fancy in-person classroom, you might see prices closer to $400–$800. Pick your poison—online is usually cheaper and gives you way more flexibility. Either way, you’ll find some differences in pricing depending on whether the package includes extras, like practice exams, textbooks, or cram sessions. Don’t just chase the lowest price, though. Some of the cheapest schools have terrible pass rates, which means you could end up taking the exam more than once and paying extra again.

Here’s a quick look at the range you can expect:

If you want to know what the real estate world says? Here’s a straight-up quote from the Florida Real Estate Commission:

"The 63-hour pre-license course is a mandatory step for all real estate sales associates. Applicants should ensure their course provider is approved and be aware that costs and included materials may vary widely."

Here’s a simple tip: check if the school’s package covers your exam prep. If not, you might want to grab a separate study guide or online practice test set, which usually costs an extra $25–$70. Also, keep an eye out for deals—schools often run sales, especially in summer or at year-end, which can knock $50–$100 off the price if you’re lucky.

Make sure to factor in every material or add-on you might need. The bottom line? For the required education in Florida, expect to spend at least $120, and possibly several hundred dollars more, depending on how you want to learn and what kind of support fits your style.

State Application and Exam Fees

Once you finish your pre-license course, you’re not done yet. You still need to pay two main things: your application fee to the state and the fee for your actual licensing exam. These are fixed charges, so you can’t skip or bargain-shop for them.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) handles the whole process. Here’s what you’ll pay as of June 2025:

• State application fee: $83.75. This is a non-refundable fee you pay to submit your official application, no matter if you get approved or not. You pay this online to the DBPR.
• Exam fee: $36.75. Pearson VUE runs Florida’s real estate exam. You’ll pay this fee each attempt, so if you need a re-take, budget for that.

If you mess up part of the application or your paperwork’s off, you’ll have to fix it and might need to pay again. Double-check your info before hitting submit—that little bit of effort can save you a lot.

Here’s an at-a-glance look at these main fees:

Pro tip: Don’t drag your feet once you pass your pre-license course. Your application is valid for two years, but if you wait too long and things expire, you’ll have to pay all over again. For those on a tight budget, set aside at least $120 just for these two steps. When you’re budgeting all your costs, these fees are non-negotiable. The real estate license process in Florida really doesn’t let you skip the paperwork or the fees.

Fingerprinting and Background Check

There’s no skipping this step if you want a real estate license in Florida. Before the state even considers your application, they want to know who you are and whether you’ve got any criminal history. Everyone—no exceptions—has to do electronic fingerprinting and pass a background check.

Here’s how it goes. You can’t just go to your local police station. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) only accepts fingerprints done through approved LiveScan vendors. These businesses are scattered all around Florida, from Miami strip malls to Orlando office parks. You pick one, schedule an appointment (online or by phone), bring two forms of ID, and get it done in about 10 minutes. It’s quick, but don’t put it off—the prints must get sent directly to the state by the vendor.

The cost? As of June 2025, you’ll pay somewhere between $50 and $80 for this. The price depends on where you go, but in most metro areas, it’s right around $65. Pay attention to the receipt—they may ask for a copy when you apply for your license.

Once the fingerprints are in, the state runs a background check. If you’ve ever had trouble with the law, don’t panic right away. Minor things like traffic tickets won’t hold you back, but serious charges (think felonies or fraud) could complicate things. Still, each case gets reviewed individually. People with old convictions sometimes get approved if they’re upfront about it.

A quick tip: get your fingerprints done before you apply for the state exam or license. Why? The background check can take a few weeks, and if it isn’t finished, they won’t let you move to the next step. Delays here are the #1 reason new agents get frustrated.

Extra Costs Nobody Warns You About

Here’s the part way too many people miss—the costs sneak up, and they’re real. Sure, the class and real estate license fee are obvious, but there’s a batch of expenses that most folks don’t talk about until it’s too late. If you don’t budget for these, you might have to pause everything just when you think you’re nearly licensed.

Let’s call it the hidden menu. For starters, you’ll need to pay for your required “post-licensing” course in your first renewal cycle. This isn’t optional and typically runs between $100 and $200. Then there’s the cost of becoming part of a local board of Realtors, which most brokerages expect—these dues can be $500 or more per year. Don’t forget about lockbox or MLS access. Having access to listings usually means a subscription fee, often $300–$600 per year, but some regions toss in setup fees around $50–$100, too.

• Required post-licensing classes (within 18–24 months): $100–$200
• Local Realtor association fees: $500–$1,500/year
• MLS (Multiple Listing Service) dues: $300–$600/year
• Marketing materials (business cards, signs, website): $100–$500 to start
• Errors & Omissions insurance (E&O): $200–$400/year
• Continuing education (annual, after first cycle): $30–$100

Startup marketing stuff bites, too. You’re expected to look professional right away, so business cards, personal branding, and even a starter website can total a few hundred dollars in the first few months. A lot of new agents get caught off guard by the required Errors & Omissions insurance, often mandatory with most brokerages before you ever show your first house. Expect to pay $200 to $400 each year for this alone.

See how fast it adds up? Here’s a quick look at these common extras:

Add it up, and you’re easily looking at another $1,000 to $3,000 stacked on top of the basics. Anyone telling you otherwise probably hasn’t paid their own fees yet. If you want to get a head start, start saving and ask your future broker for a full list of must-have memberships and subscriptions—better to know than to get stuck scrambling three months in.

Tips for Saving Money and Getting Started

Getting a real estate license in Florida isn't cheap, but there are smart ways to keep your wallet happier through the process. Start by shopping around for pre-licensing courses. Prices range from $120 to $400, and state law says your class just needs to be 63 hours from a licensed school—that means you don’t have to pay top dollar just for a big name. Look for sales or bundle deals, especially around holidays or at the start of the year. Some online schools throw in exam prep tools for free, which could save you another fifty bucks.

Don’t skip your homework on fingerprinting providers. The state sets the background check cost (usually $50 to $80), but some local outlets charge less for processing. Check if your area has a walk-in option that’s cheaper than the mail-in route.

• If you’re already working another job, look for online courses with flexible schedules—no need to pay extra for rush options.
• Ask if your future real estate brokerage will reimburse any license or course fees. Some brokerages pay these as a sign-on perk, but you have to ask for it upfront.
• Re-using study materials from a friend or buying second-hand books is legit. Most schools update content yearly, but the exam topics don’t swing wildly in one year.

One last tip: keep an eye out for hidden extras. The application fee (currently $83.75 with the state) won’t change, but things like exam retakes (about $39 a pop) or test-prep crash courses can sneak up if you’re not careful. Block out a chunk of time each week for studying so you only have to pay for the state exam once. The faster you pass, the faster you’re out of the spending cycle and on your way to making commissions.

And here’s a little hack—some folks join local real estate associations as students, which can unlock discounts on continuing education and networking events. It’s an easy way to save if you’re sticking with the business for the long haul.