Florida
Florida Real Estate Exam: Complete 2026 Prep Guide
Florida is one of the busiest real estate testing markets in the country, and its first-time pass rate is commonly cited around 50%. This guide covers the Florida sales associate exam format, Florida-specific topics, and a focused study plan.
Florida Exam Requirements at a Glance
Pre-licensing education: 63-hour approved course
Exam provider: Pearson VUE
Exam format: 100 multiple-choice questions
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Passing score: 75% (75 correct out of 100)
Exam fee: $36.75 (as of 2026)
Background check: electronic fingerprinting required before licensure
Age requirement: 18 years old
Application: through the Florida DBPR (Department of Business and Professional Regulation)
What Is on the Florida Exam
The Florida sales associate exam has two components: a national portion covering broad real estate concepts and a Florida-specific portion covering state laws and regulations.
The national portion covers property ownership, contracts, agency, finance, valuation, fair housing, and land use — the same topics tested in every state.
The Florida-specific portion is where most candidates struggle. It covers topics that are unique to Florida or have Florida-specific rules.
Florida-Specific Topics You Must Know
These are the Florida topics that catch candidates off guard because they are not covered in national study materials.
Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) — structure, authority, and powers. Know that FREC has 7 members appointed by the Governor.
Homestead exemption — Florida's homestead law protects the primary residence from forced sale by creditors. The exemption is up to 1/2 acre within city limits and up to 160 acres outside city limits.
Ad valorem property tax — Florida's property tax is based on assessed value. Know the homestead exemption amount ($50,000) and how Save Our Homes limits assessment increases to 3% per year.
Documentary stamp tax — Florida charges $0.70 per $100 of the sale price on deeds. Miami-Dade County has a higher rate ($0.60 + surtax).
Intangible tax — charged on new mortgages at $0.002 per dollar of the mortgage amount ($2 per $1,000).
Florida landlord-tenant law — specific rules for security deposits (must be returned within 15–60 days depending on whether deductions are made), eviction procedures, and lease requirements.
License law — Florida-specific rules for licensure, continuing education (45 hours for first renewal, 14 hours thereafter), and disciplinary actions.
Escrow requirements — Florida brokers must deposit escrow funds within a specific timeframe and follow FREC escrow dispute resolution procedures.
4-Week Florida Study Plan
Week 1: Take the diagnostic. Review results. Deep-study your weakest national topics (usually contracts and finance). Do 50+ practice questions on national content.
Week 2: Study agency, property ownership, and fair housing. Take a full-length practice exam at the end of the week. Target 65%+.
Week 3: Focus on Florida-specific topics: FREC, homestead, doc stamps, intangible tax, Florida landlord-tenant law, and license law. Do 50+ Florida-specific practice questions. Take another practice exam. Target 72%+.
Week 4: Review missed questions, study real estate math, take 2 more timed practice exams. Rest the day before. Target 78%+ on final practice exam.
Exam Day Tips for Florida
The exam is administered at Pearson VUE testing centers throughout Florida. Arrive 30 minutes early. You will need two forms of ID, including one government-issued photo ID.
You cannot bring personal items into the testing room — no phone, no notes, no calculator (an on-screen calculator is provided). You will receive a whiteboard or scratch paper for calculations.
You have 3.5 hours, which is generous for 100 questions. Do not rush. Read each question carefully, eliminate obviously wrong answers, and flag questions you want to revisit.
Results are provided immediately after you finish the exam. If you pass, you can apply for your license through the Florida DBPR.
Start Your Florida Exam Prep
The free diagnostic identifies your weakest Florida topics so you can study what matters most.
Keep Studying Smarter
These are the best follow-up pages if Florida is your target state.
Florida Exam FAQ
How long is the Florida real estate course?
The required pre-licensing course is 63 hours. It can be completed in person or online through a FREC-approved school. Most online students complete it in 2–4 weeks.
How quickly can I take the exam after finishing the course?
You can schedule your exam as soon as your course completion is reported to the DBPR. Most candidates schedule within 1–2 weeks. The sooner you take it, the more you will remember from the course.
What happens if I fail the Florida exam?
You can retake the exam after a 24-hour waiting period. You must pay the exam fee ($36.75) again. There is no limit on the number of retakes, but your course completion is valid for only 2 years.
Is the Florida exam harder than other states?
Florida's pass rate (around 50%) is slightly lower than the national average. The Florida-specific portion, particularly FREC rules, homestead, and documentary stamps, is where many candidates lose points.
Do I need to pass the national and state portions separately?
In Florida, the exam is scored as a single test — you need 75 out of 100 correct overall. There is no separate passing threshold for national vs. state portions.