Florida real estate sales associates, brokers and broker associates with an active license must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) in each two year renewal period.
The 14 hour requirement consists of 8-hours of specialty continuing education, 3-hours dedicated to an update of Florida laws and 3-hour of Ethics and Business Practices.
Your license will lapse into involuntary inactive status if you fail to complete the 14 hour continuing education requirement and pay the renewal fee prior to midnight Eastern on your license expiration date.
Once your license lapses into involuntary inactive status, you have up to 12 months to complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay your renewal fee plus a late fee.
If you fail to complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay the requisite fees within 12 months of your license expiration date, you will then be required to take 28 hours of license reactivation education.
If you allow your license to lapse beyond 24 months from the expiration date, your license will be deemed null and void. If your license becomes null and void, you will have to start the licensing process all over again.
With the exception of the first renewal period as we’ll explain below, the continuing education requirements for Sales Associates, Brokers and Broker Associates in Florida are identical.
Note that real estate licensees who are attorneys and in good standing with the Florida Bar are exempt from the 14 hour continuing education requirement.
Continuing education requirements are more extensive in the case of the first renewal period (18 to 24 months post-licensure) and vary by license type, as we explain below.
Click on the sections below to learn more.
Florida Real Estate Agent Continuing Education FAQ:
How many CE hours are required for Florida real estate agents?
Who is exempt from real estate continuing education requirements in Florida?
Can I request an extension to complete my continuing education requirements?
When do I need to renew my Florida real estate license?
How do I keep track of my continuing education?
What are the post-licensing requirements for Florida real estate sales associates?
What are the post-licensing requirements for Florida real estate brokers?
Do excess continuing education credits carry over into the next renewal period?
What happens if I don’t complete Florida real estate CE requirements?
Can I receive CE credit for attending a Florida Real Estate Commission Meeting?
How many CE hours are required for Florida real estate agents?
Florida real estate sales associates, brokers and associate brokers with an active license must complete 14 hours of continuing education during each 24 month license renewal period.
The 14 hour requirement consists of 8-hours of specialty continuing education, 3-hours dedicated to an update of Florida laws and 3-hour of Ethics and Business Practices.
If you fail to renew your license within 12 months of the expiration date, you are required to complete 28 hours of continuing education (in the form of a reactivation education course) instead of 14 hours.
If you allow your license to lapse beyond 24 months from the expiration date, your license will be deemed null and void. If your license becomes null and void, you will have to start the licensing process all over again.
This means you’ll need to complete an application, submit applicable fees and electronic fingerprints, take the pre-licensing course and pass the state exam. Don’t make this mistake!
Your license renewal date is either on March 31st or September 30th, whichever date is closest to your license approval date.
Who is exempt from real estate continuing education requirements in Florida?
Florida real estate licensees who are attorneys and in good standing with the Florida Bar are exempt from 14 hours of continuing education according to Florida Statute 475.451(6).
Per the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, “To receive this exemption we will need to either have a copy of your Bar card or the Bar card membership number provided to the Department, upon your initial application or 1st renewal after becoming a Florida Bar member, so a modifier can be added to your license.”
Keep in mind that attorneys are still required to pay all license renewal fees when due.
Moreover, paralegals who are registered members of the Florida Bar are not exempt from continuing education requirements.
Can I request an extension to complete my continuing education requirements?
The Florida DBPR does not grant extensions to licensees for the 14 hour continuing education requirement.
However, you may be able to apply for an extension if your license has been in involuntary inactive status for more than 12 months and you’re unable to complete the 28 hour reactivation education course (and pay all renewal and late fees) within 24 months of the expiration date of your license.
You may also qualify for a 6-month hardship extension in the case of your post-license education requirement for your first license renewal.
Per DBPR, “If you are a licensee required to complete post-license education by your initial expiration date and you have a hardship, you may submit a written request with supporting documentation to request an extension of your renewal. The request will be reviewed and determined if it falls within the hardship requirements. You may mail this request to: Division of Real Estate – Licensing Section, Attn: Hardship Extension, 400 West Robinson Street, Suite N-801, Orlando, Florida 32801. You may also fax to (407) 317-7245 attn: Licensing Section.”
When do I need to renew my Florida real estate license?
You must renew your Florida real estate license every two years by midnight on March 31st or September 30th. Your license expiration date is whichever of these two dates is closest to your original license approval date. You can look up your license expiration date here.
If your license expiration date falls on a holiday or weekend, the renewal is extended to midnight Eastern Standard Time on the next business day.
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How do I keep track of my continuing education?
We recommend keeping detailed records of the continuing education courses you take, including the date, title and number of credit hours provided by each CE class.
The most practical way to do this is to keep an email record or to maintain a spreadsheet or other document with all of this information.
All continuing education course providers in Florida are required to submit electronic attendance files to the DBPR.
Chapter 455, Florida Statutes, requires the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) to monitor all continuing education activities of licensees.
A Licensee who has received a 4-year degree, or higher, in real estate, from an accredited institution of higher education is exempted from the post-license education requirement.
For subsequent license renewal periods every two years, Florida real estate sales associates must complete 14 hours of continuing education.
A Licensee who has received a 4-year degree, or higher, in real estate, from an accredited institution of higher education is exempted from the post-license education requirement.
For subsequent license renewal periods every two years, Florida real estate brokers must complete 14 hours of continuing education.
Do excess continuing education credits carry over into the next renewal period?
No. You may not carry over excess continuing education hours from the current renewal cycle into the next renewal period.
For example, let’s say you complete a total of 21 hours of continuing education during your renewal cycle which expires on March 31st. The 7 hours in excess of the 14 hour requirement may not be carried forward into the next renewal period.
What happens if I don’t complete Florida real estate CE requirements?
Your Florida real estate license will become involuntary inactive if you fail to complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay the renewal fee prior to midnight Eastern Time on the date of your license expiration. You may not participate in any licensed activities while your license is in involuntary inactive status.
Once your license lapses into involuntary inactive status, you have up to 12 months to complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay your renewal fee plus a late fee.
If you fail to complete 14 hours of continuing education and pay the requisite fees within 12 months of your license expiration date, you will then be subject to additional education requirements in the form of 28 hours Reactivation Education.
If you allow your license to lapse beyond 24 months from the expiration date, your license will be deemed null and void. If your license becomes null and void, you will have to start the licensing process all over again.
Can I receive CE credit for attending a Florida Real Estate Commission Meeting?
Yes. Florida DBPR guidelines and Florida Statute 475.182 allow you to receive 3 hours of specialty continuing education credit once per renewal cycle for attending the legal agenda session of the Florida Real Estate Commission meeting.
Be sure to follow these specific instructions in order to receive credit:
The registration form looks like this:
