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If you want to keep your real estate license active in the Sunshine State, it is your responsibility to keep up with the continuing education requirements in Florida. In this article, we’ll introduce you to our top picks for Florida real estate continuing education providers and why they’re the best choice for your CE needs.
Top 3 Florida Real Estate Continuing Education Providers
(Florida continuing education package prices as of September 2023)
Florida Real Estate Continuing Education: Helpful Info
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Florida Real Estate Governing Body:
Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation
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Post-licensing Requirements:
45 Hours
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Continuing Education Requirements:
4 Hours Every 2 Years by March 31 or September 31
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Renewal Fee:
$32 for Sales Associates, $36 for Brokers
The requirements for first-time and subsequent renewals are different, and we’ll help you understand that in the how-to-renew section. If you’re renewing your real estate license in Florida for the second time, you must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) every two years. Let’s take a look at our top schools for
Best Florida Real Estate Continuing Education Provider for Course Selection: The CE Shop
- Typical price per individual CE course: $9
- Noteworthy course: Did You Serve? Identifying Homebuying Advantages for Veterans
The CE Shop made our list because of its variety of individual CE courses. They began as a continuing education provider—hence the name. As you continue to renew your license over the course of your career, you’ll appreciate the ability to choose from a range of topics for your elective credits.
The CE Shop Pricing
In Florida, The CE Shop offers one self-paced CE renewal package.
- 14-hour Florida CE Package ($35): Enjoy all the required courses, including Core Law and Ethics, to complete your Florida CE requirements.
(Florida continuing education package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
The CE Shop makes fulfilling your CE requirements as easy as possible, every time. Their easy-to-use website and online platform make getting through your courses a snap.
Room to Improve
While The CE Shop offers all you need in their CE package, you won’t find a subscription option with extra career features.
Bottom Line
Choose The CE Shop to get your CE courses done via a reliable and convenient online school.
Best Florida Real Estate Continuing Education for Live Instruction: Gold Coast Schools
- Typical price per individual CE course: $15
- Noteworthy course: Management Of Escrow Accounts
Gold Coast Schools offers every course format under the sun, making it an easy choice for anyone about to renew their license. You can take your 14 hours of CE courses by correspondence, online self-paced, livestream, or in-person classes across nine locations.
Gold Coast Schools Pricing
Gold Coast Schools offers a 14-hour CE package in four different formats, and each includes reporting to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- Correspondence ($26): Aside from the core CE courses, you’ll get a complete CE course textbook.
- Online ($26): You’ll get instant access to course material for up to a year with unlimited test attempts.
- Livestream ($99): Attend scheduled livestream classes to network with other agents from the comfort of home.
- Classroom ($99): Attend in-person classes across seven locations over two days to complete your courses quickly.
(Florida continuing education package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
The Gold Coast Schools’ livestream and classroom courses are perfect for anyone who doesn’t have the discipline required for self-paced learning. You’ll be guided through your course in just two days.
Room to Improve
We wish the price jump between self-paced and livestream classes wasn’t so steep. If you’re looking for a cheaper option, check out OnlineEd.
Bottom Line
Gold Coast Schools is a perfect choice to complete your CE credits in two days if self-paced online learning isn’t for you.
Best Budget Florida Real Estate Continuing Education: OnlineEd
- Typical price per individual CE course: $9-$12
- Noteworthy course: Fair Housing
OnlineEd made our list because they’re a simple, convenient option for a great price. Their course highlights core concepts with video clips. Plus, you’ll get the textbook in PDF and e-pub format, which makes it perfect for reading on a tablet or e-reader.
OnlineEd Pricing
In Florida, OnlineEd offers one comprehensive CE package:
- Florida Complete CE Package ($20): This includes your Florida law and ethics courses, videos, and e-books.
(Florida continuing education package prices as of September 2023)
Best Feature
We appreciate the simplicity of OnlineEd’s CE courses, which are perfect for learners who prefer to work with a text but want access to videos for key concepts.
Room to Improve
You may run out of new elective courses if you retake OnlineEd’s CE package. Unlike The CE Shop, they don’t have as many options to choose from.
Bottom Line
OnlineEd is for you if you imagine yourself reading through your course material at home or on the go on your tablet or e-reader.
How We Selected the Best Florida Real Estate Continuing Education Providers
To come up with the best Florida real estate continuing education providers, our team at The Close used a weighted rubric to score each school according to the following criteria:
Read more about The Close’s methodology here.
How to Renew Your Florida Real Estate License
Let’s make sure you understand the real estate license renewal requirements in Florida. They are slightly different for first-time renewals and subsequent renewals for both sales associates and brokers.
First Sales Associate Renewal
For first-time renewals, sales associates are required to take a 45-hour post-licensing course and pass a course exam. Your renewal period is between 18 and 24 months, depending on when you successfully completed your real estate license exam.
First Broker Renewal
For first-time broker renewals, you must complete a 60-hour post-licensing course within the first 18 to 24 months of receiving your license, depending on the date you passed your license exam.
Subsequent Sales Associate or Broker Renewal
For second and subsequent renewals, sales associates and brokers have identical requirements. You must complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years by either March 31 or September 30, depending on the date of your last renewal.
Your 14 hours of CE credits must include three hours of Core Law, three hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and eight hours of elective courses.
Florida Real Estate License Renewal: FAQs
Have more questions? We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions below. If there’s something we’ve missed, let us know in the comment section.
How do I renew my Florida real estate license?
You can renew your license through Florida’s Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) Online Services portal. Create an account, pay your renewal fee ($32 for sales associates, $36 for brokers), and submit proof of completing your CE requirements to receive your renewed license by email.
If you’re creating an account for the first time, follow the DBPR’s tutorial to set up your account. The DBPR website also offers a tutorial on how to link your license to your online account.
When do I have to renew my Florida real estate license?
You must renew your Florida real estate license two years after the date of your initial licensure. Depending on the date of your initial licensure, your license deadline will be either March 31 or September 30, whichever is closest to your license approval date. Check your license for the exact expiration date.
What happens if I miss the deadline to renew my Florida real estate license?
If you miss the deadline to renew your license, your real estate license becomes inactive, which means you are not allowed to practice real estate here. If your license stays inactive for up to a year before you renew, you’ll only need to complete your 14-hour CE courses and pay a late fee of $25.
If your license is in inactive status for more than 12 months but less than 48 months, you’ll have to take a 28-hour reactivation course and pay a $25 late fee. For more information, check out the DBPR’s tips for renewal.
After two years of inactive status, your license is null and void, and you must retake your prelicensing course and state exam all over again to get licensed.
What if I can’t renew my license online?
If you’re unable to use the DBPR’s Online Services website, you can renew by mail by filling out the license renewal application and mailing it along with your check or money order for renewal fees to DBPR at Blairstone Road, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-2500.
More Career Resources From The Close
We hope our list of continuing education providers will make starting your renewal process as easy as possible. We’re here to support and celebrate every step of your real estate career. Don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to get articles sent directly to your inbox and join our Facebook Mastermind Group to connect with agents nationwide.
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