How much the Florida real estate exam and license cost
Last reviewed: November 2026
The Florida real estate exam cost is not one fee. To get a sales associate license you pay four parties: a real estate school for the 63-hour course, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) for the application, a fingerprint provider for the background check, and Pearson VUE for each exam attempt.
Below is each fee, who collects it, and where the number comes from. Fees change, so confirm the amount on the official page before you pay.
Florida real estate license fees at a glance
| Step | Who you pay | Amount | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63-hour prelicense course | A Florida-approved real estate school | Set by each school | s. 475.17(2)(a), F.S.; DBPR list of approved providers |
| License application (form RE 1) | DBPR | Shown on form RE 1 and at checkout in DBPR Online Services | DBPR form RE 1, Sales Associate Application |
| Electronic fingerprints | An FDLE-approved Livescan provider | Set by each provider; DBPR's own in-person service in Tallahassee is $39 | DBPR Fingerprinting page |
| State exam (each attempt) | Pearson VUE | Shown when you book with Pearson VUE | Pearson VUE Florida Real Estate page |
| 45-hour post-licensing course | An approved school or sponsor | Set by each school | s. 475.17(3)(a), F.S. |
We don't print a dollar amount for the DBPR application or the Pearson VUE exam. The DBPR candidate information booklet (effective January 2025) says DBPR application and licensure fees were being reduced to offset increases in examination fees, and we could not confirm the current amounts from an official page. Check the fee on DBPR's form RE 1 or in DBPR Online Services, and on Pearson VUE when you book.
What the law says about the maximum fee
Florida law caps what the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) may charge. Under s. 475.125(1), F.S., the fee for initial application and examination may not exceed $100, and the initial license fee and renewal fee may not exceed $50 for each year of the license.
Subsection (2) of the same section says application and license fees are refunded if the state is not entitled to them or the application is not completely processed. Exam fees paid to Pearson VUE are a separate matter (see below).
The prelicense course
Before you sit for the exam you need proof that you finished a Florida-approved 63-hour sales associate course. The statute sets the limit at 63 classroom hours of 50 minutes each, including the course exam (s. 475.17(2)(a)1., F.S.). Schools may teach it in a classroom, online (distance learning), or both.
Course prices are set by schools, so we don't list a number. Two rules affect what you pay in the end:
- Your course completion is good for 2 years. If you don't pass the state exam within 2 years of finishing the course, the completion is invalid and you retake the course (s. 475.181(2), F.S.; DBPR RE 1 checklist).
- Applicants with a 4-year degree or higher in real estate may be exempt from the prelicense course (s. 475.17(6), F.S.).
The DBPR application fee
You apply to DBPR online or with the printable RE 1 form. The fee is paid to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. You don't need the course certificate to apply: form RE 1 says sales associate applicants present it to the exam vendor at the time of the exam (see also s. 475.175(1)(b), F.S.).
DBPR offers a Military Fee Waiver form and a Low Income Waiver program, and has separate pages for veterans, military spouses and Florida National Guard members. Check the Military Services and Low Income Fee Waiver pages on myfloridalicense.com before you pay.
Fingerprints and background check
Florida requires electronic fingerprints with every sales associate application (s. 475.175(1)(a), F.S.). DBPR asks you to submit the application first and then get fingerprinted right away through a Livescan provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).
- The provider charges you directly, and the price varies by provider.
- You must give the provider DBPR's ORI number for your profession. A missing or wrong ORI means DBPR never receives your results.
- Prints can't be reused for a different license. DBPR keeps results for 12 months.
The Pearson VUE exam fee
Pearson VUE schedules and runs the Florida exam for DBPR. You pay the exam fee when you schedule (DBPR Examination Information page), by credit card, electronic check or voucher (DBPR candidate information booklet). Pearson VUE's Florida candidate fact sheet adds that payment is not accepted at the test center and exam fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
You can lose the exam fee without testing:
- Cancel or reschedule less than two full calendar days before the appointment (Pearson VUE Florida page), or miss the appointment. DBPR says no-shows pay the exam fee in full.
- Arrive without your course completion certificate. The DBPR booklet says you remain responsible for that day's fee and pay a new fee for the next exam.
- Arrive late without an excused reason and the center can't fit you in. You are classified as a "No Show" and owe that day's fee plus a new fee (DBPR booklet).
The real cost: retakes
Each attempt is a new Pearson VUE fee (DBPR candidate information booklet). A candidate who fails can also request a review of missed questions within 21 days (DBPR candidate information booklet). The cheapest exam is the one you only take once, so practice under exam conditions first: 100 questions, 3.5 hours, 75 correct to pass.
Costs after you pass
- Post-licensing: 45 classroom hours before your first renewal, or the license becomes null and void (s. 475.17(3), F.S.).
- Continuing education: 14 hours each renewal period after that (s. 475.182(1), F.S.).
- Renewal fee: capped at $50 per year of the license term (s. 475.125(1), F.S.).
Who you pay, in order
- School: enroll in the 63-hour course.
- DBPR: submit the RE 1 application and fee.
- Livescan provider: get fingerprinted with DBPR's ORI number.
- Pearson VUE: after DBPR approves you, book and pay for the exam.
For the full process, see our Florida real estate exam guide.
Check your readiness before you pay for the exam
Take our free 50-question Florida practice test. No sign-up, and you get a score by content area. If you need more practice, the paid question bank and full 100-question exams are on the pricing page.
Real Estate Drill is an independent study tool. We are not affiliated with FREC, DBPR or Pearson VUE.