Florida Real Estate Exam: Everything You Need to Know

Florida Real Estate Exam Quick Facts:

The Florida real estate licensing exam is a 100-question, computer-based test administered by Pearson VUE. You need a score of at least 75 out of 100 (75%) to pass.

Before you can sit for the exam, you must complete 63 hours of approved pre-licensing education and submit an application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Once approved, you have a 2-year window to pass.

The exam covers Florida-specific real estate law, general principles and practices, and math. About 50–55% of first-time test takers pass on their first attempt, so focused preparation matters.

Florida is one of the most active real estate markets in the country, and getting licensed here opens the door to a genuinely rewarding career. But before you can start working with buyers and sellers, you'll need to clear one final hurdle: the state licensing exam.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know to prepare — from how the exam is structured and what topics it covers, to how to schedule it, what to bring on test day, and the most effective strategies to pass on your first try.

How to Schedule the Florida Real Estate Licensing Exam

Before you can begin the process to schedule your real estate exam, you’ll need to complete the 63-hour pre-licensing course and receive your certificate of completion. 

Once you’ve received your completion certificate, you can submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s online portal. 

The DBPR will review all materials and confirm within ten business days that you’re eligible to take the real estate licensing exam. 

Submitting your application requires getting your fingerprints taken so a background check can be run. This usually costs between $50 and $80, and you’ll have to go to one of the approved sites to get this completed. You’ll also have to pay an application fee of $39.37. 

After you’ve received approval, you can officially schedule your Florida real estate exam! Florida contracts with a private company called Pearson Vue to schedule and administer the real estate exam. There is a $36.75 exam fee that you’ll be required to pay when you schedule your exam. 

Where Do You Take the Florida Real Estate License Exam?

You can take the Florida real estate exam in person or online through Pearson Vue’s website. If you’re interested in taking the test in person, Pearson Vue has testing locations across the state in the cities of: 

•  Altamonte Springs
•  Deerfield Beach
•  Gainesville
•  Jacksonville
•  Miami
•  Orlando
•  Plantation
•  Port Charlotte
•  St. Petersburg
•  Tallahassee
•  Tampa

You can review the exam schedule and pick a date and time that works best for you by visiting the Pearson Vue website. If you need to cancel or reschedule your exam for any reason, you must do so at least two business days in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. 

Can You Take the Exam Online?

Florida is a state that allows real estate examinees to take the licensing test online in the comfort of their own homes or office. There are specific rules and requirements for taking the exam online, though, so make sure to review any technical requirements to ensure you have the correct systems. 

By taking the exam online, a live proctor will monitor your exam through the webcam and ensure you are securely taking the exam without any help or other resources. 

What to Bring on the Day of Your Exam

Whether you take the test at home online or in person at a test center, you’ll still be required to have a valid photo ID. Some acceptable forms of ID include a driver’s license, passport, or alien registration card. Make sure your license matches your legal name exactly, or you will be turned away and denied the ability to take the exam. 

Also, on exam day, test takers for the Florida real estate exam will be required to photograph the front and back of their Pre-licensure Education Completion Certificate during the check-in process. Pearson Vue recommends bringing your mobile device for this and ensuring you have it during your check-in on exam day. Otherwise, you will have to reschedule and pay the exam fee again. 

If you plan to take your exam at a local Pearson Vue test center, you are able to bring a basic hand-held calculator to use for the math questions. But if you are taking the exam at home, you are not allowed any paper or calculator and will have to use the tools within the testing system. You can review more about the testing software on Pearson Vue’s website. 

Take a Free FL Real Estate Exam

Here is a short 10-question Florida exam to test your real estate knowledge. This exam mimics our practice exams featured in our exam prep package. If you want the full package, tap the button below.

What is on the Florida Real Estate Exam?

The Florida real estate exam will cover similar topics as your pre-licensing course does, making your decision about where to complete your education requirements even more important.

The exam covers the following topics and categories: 

Once you submit your exam, you’ll receive your score immediately and see if you passed or failed. However, you won’t be able to see which questions you got right or wrong unless you schedule a review after the exam. 

Will There Be Math on the Exam?

You can expect about 6% of the real estate exam to be various math calculations and questions. To prepare for this, it’s recommended to be comfortable using a calculator and have basic knowledge of common real estate calculations. This can include things like interest, prorated items, property area calculations, square footage and more. 

Since you won’t be allowed to use any other resources on the exam, test takers should remember the following calculations:

• 43,560 square feet/acre
• 5,280 feet/mile

Is the Florida Real Estate Exam Hard?

Passing the Florida real estate exam requires focus and preparation to ensure you pass —but it’s not impossible! There is a 50% pass rate on the exam. Since only about half of test takers pass, it’s common that many people will have to take it more than once in order to obtain their real estate license. 

In order to pass the Florida real estate exam, you’ll need to get 75% of the questions right or 75 out of 100 questions. Once you pass the exam, the Florida Real Estate Commission will issue your license, usually within ten business days. 

That’s why finding the right guided study help is crucial so you pass on the first try. 

How Many Questions Are on the Florida Real Estate Exam?

The Florida real estate exam contains 100 questions: 45 on general principles & practices, 45 on Florida and federal real-estate law, and 10 math calculations.

What is the Passing Rate for the Real Estate Exam in Florida?

In Florida, around 50 to 55% of exam takers pass, indicating it is certainly not an easy test. However, with the proper preparation and studying, you can feel confident that you know the test material and can pass on the first try. 

Keep in mind that if you fail, you can schedule a review session and see exactly which questions you missed. This can further help you prepare for taking the test a second time. 

How Many Times Can You Take the Real Estate Exam?

If you don’t pass your real estate exam on the first try, don’t worry! You can retake the exam as many times as needed until you pass. You’ll have to wait 24 hours before scheduling your exam again, and you’ll have to pay the $36.75 exam fee every time you need to take the test. 

How to Pass the Florida Real Estate Exam

To successfully pass the Florida real estate exam and begin your career in real estate, it is essential to invest time and effort in an exam prep program. A guided program will reinforce the lessons from your pre-licensing coursework and equip you with study tools to prepare for the multiple-choice questions on the exam. 

Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your exam prep and be ready for the Florida real estate exam.

Create a Study Schedule

Consistency is key when it comes to studying. By creating a study schedule and sticking to it, you can set yourself up for success with consistent studying. Whether your schedule gets hectic or you prefer more structure in your routine, dedicating specific study time for your real estate exam will ensure that you prioritize it when the moment arrives. 

Put time on your calendar and use a timer during the study session to stay focused. We suggest studying a bit every night or every other night. You'll appreciate taking the time to schedule and maintain a consistent exam prep routine in the future!

Use Acronyms and Mnemonic Devices

Sometimes it can help to incorporate an acronym or mnemonic device to help remember different real estate terminology or processes. These are study strategies that use rhyming words or phrases to help your brain remember vocabulary words. You might be familiar with the common mnemonic device, Roy G. Biv, to remember all the colors of the rainbow. 

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Join a Study Group

A study group is a great way to meet friends, prep for the real estate exam and have accountability throughout the process. While some people focus better by studying alone, joining a study group allows for connections with fellow students and new methods of learning and retaining information. 

Plus, you can collaborate with others to discuss ideas and solve problems, all while making new relationships and new ways to study the material. Additionally, being part of a study group provides extra responsibility leading up to the exam, which can help maintain consistency with your study schedule.

Get Guided Help

Even if you’ve completed your pre-licensing classes, signing up for additional guided help through a real estate program can specifically help you prepare for the exam. Unlike your general pre-licensing education, a guided help program helps provide skills and tips specific to taking the exam. By finding the right guided prep program to work through the exam materials, you’ll get the prep you need to ace your exam and get your license. 

Make sure you find a trusted and reputable guided prep program to help you study for your Florida real estate exam. When you sign up for our real estate crash course and exam prep program you’ll get access to our suite of study materials, including:

• Over 1,500 Florida real estate exam practice questions 
• Customizable practice state exams
• Vocabulary flashcards
• Video explanations by real estate experts
• E-book study guide
• And so much more

FAQs

Q: Do I need to complete my pre-licensing course before I can schedule the exam?

‍Yes. You must finish all 63 hours of approved pre-licensing education and receive your course completion certificate before the DBPR will accept your application. You cannot schedule through Pearson VUE until DBPR formally confirms your eligibility — which typically takes around 10 business days after a complete application is submitted.

Q: What happens if my DBPR eligibility approval expires before I pass?

‍Florida statute 475.17 sets an eligibility window within which you must pass the exam after DBPR approval. If you do not pass within that period, your application expires and you will need to resubmit it to the DBPR and pay the application fee again before you can sit for the exam. Your 63-hour pre-licensing education does not need to be repeated, provided it is still current. Confirm the exact window length directly with DBPR before scheduling, as this can change.

Q: If I fail, can I see which questions I got wrong?

‍You will not be shown the individual questions. However, Pearson VUE provides a score report broken down by content category, which shows how you performed in each topic area. You can also request a formal exam review session with DBPR to go over your results in more detail — though note that scheduling a retake within 21 days of that review requires a customer service override.

Q: Once I pass, what do I need to do before my license expires for the first time?

‍Passing the exam is not the final step. You must still activate your license under a sponsoring broker to legally practice. Once active, sales associates are required to complete 45 hours of post-licensing education before their initial license expiration date. Check your license expiration date on your DBPR online account as soon as you activate.

Final Thoughts on the Real Estate Exam in Florida

Getting your Florida real estate license is an exciting opportunity to dive head-first into the world of real estate. After all the coursework and preparation, you should feel confident heading into the test on exam day. 

If you need an extra boost of confidence and want to pass your exam, we can help. With a pass guarantee, you can know your investment will save you time and money when taking your Florida real estate exam.