How to Get Your Real Estate License in Hialeah, Florida

If you want to help people buy, sell, or rent property in Hialeah, the first step is earning a Florida real estate sales associate license. A practical place to begin is Florida real estate pre-licensing education from Leap Real Estate, where you can review an approved course option before starting the state application process. Florida requires applicants to meet specific education, examination, fingerprinting, and brokerage requirements before they can work with clients.

Hialeah is a particularly practical market for people who enjoy relationship-based sales. The city contains dense residential neighborhoods, established single-family areas, condominium communities, apartment properties, and commercial corridors. Many households use both English and Spanish in daily life, and clients may need help understanding contracts, financing steps, inspections, insurance questions, title work, and closing schedules. A successful local agent must combine Florida licensing knowledge with the ability to communicate clearly across a multilingual, fast-moving Miami-Dade market.

Florida Real Estate License Requirements

Florida’s entry-level real estate credential is the sales associate license. A sales associate may perform licensed real estate activities under the direction of an employing broker.

Before applying, confirm that you meet these basic requirements:

You must be at least 18 years old.
You must hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
You must have a United States Social Security number.
You must complete the required Florida-approved 63-hour pre-license course.
You must pass the Florida real estate sales associate examination.
You must complete the required background check and fingerprinting process.

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation lists these requirements in its official sales associate application checklist.

A four-year degree or higher in real estate may qualify an applicant for an education exemption, but the exemption should be confirmed with DBPR using the required certified transcript. Do not assume that a general college degree eliminates the 63-hour course; the exemption is tied to a real estate degree or another qualification recognized by Florida regulators.

Step 1: Complete the 63-Hour Pre-License Course

Florida requires prospective sales associates to complete a 63-hour pre-license course based on the Florida Real Estate Commission, or FREC, syllabus. The course covers the fundamentals of real estate practice, Florida license law, brokerage relationships, contracts, financing, property rights, and related subjects.

The 63 hours are instructional hours as defined by Florida rules, not necessarily 63 consecutive clock hours in a classroom. The course includes an end-of-course examination. You must successfully complete the course and retain proof of completion.

Your course completion is generally valid for two years. If it expires before you take the state examination, Pearson VUE will not accept it as valid proof of eligibility, and you may have to repeat the education requirement.

Can you take the course online?

Yes. Florida-approved real estate education may be available through distance or online education, depending on the provider and course approval. Online study can be useful for Hialeah residents balancing work, family responsibilities, and Miami-Dade commuting patterns.

An online course still requires serious preparation. Set a weekly schedule, complete every module, take practice questions, and keep digital and printed copies of your completion documentation. Before enrolling, verify that the provider and course are approved for Florida pre-licensing education.

For a flexible starting point, review online Florida sales associate licensing education and compare the course format, student support, exam preparation, and enrollment details.

Step 2: Submit Your Florida License Application

You may submit the sales associate application before completing the pre-license course, although you must show valid proof of course completion before sitting for the state examination.

The application is submitted to DBPR. You will provide identifying information, disclose applicable criminal or disciplinary history, and pay the required application fee. Review every answer carefully. An incomplete application, missing disclosure, or request for additional records can extend the approval process.

Florida’s official checklist identifies the sales associate application as form RE 1 and directs applicants to pay the required fee shown through the current application process. Fees can change, so use the current DBPR application instructions rather than relying on an old blog post or social-media estimate.

Official costs to plan for

The state examination fee listed by Pearson VUE for the Florida real estate salesperson examination is $36.75.

Other costs may include:

The DBPR application fee shown on the current RE 1 application.
Fingerprinting and electronic Livescan service charges.
Tuition for the 63-hour course.
Exam preparation materials or practice tests.
Brokerage onboarding, association, lockbox, marketing, or technology expenses after licensing.

Fingerprinting and course charges are not necessarily the same for every applicant or provider. Ask for an itemized total before paying. Military veterans, spouses, and Florida National Guard members may qualify for certain fee waivers, reimbursements, or discounts under Florida’s application rules.

Step 3: Complete Fingerprinting and the Background Check

Applicants must complete a background check as part of the licensing process. Florida requires fingerprints to be submitted through a Livescan service provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The DBPR checklist advises applicants to submit fingerprints immediately after submitting the license application. Fingerprint results may take up to five days to reach the Department after submission, although the total licensing timeline can be longer if records require review or additional information.

When making a Livescan appointment, bring the identification documents requested by the provider and make sure the provider submits the prints for the correct Florida real estate licensing purpose. Keep your receipt and confirmation details.

A criminal record does not automatically mean an application will be denied. However, full and accurate disclosure matters. If DBPR requests court documents, dispositions, or explanations, respond promptly and organize the records clearly.

Step 4: Get Approved for the Pearson VUE Exam

The Florida sales associate examination is administered by Pearson VUE. Once DBPR approves you for the examination and you have completed the required education, schedule the test through Pearson VUE.

The Pearson VUE fact sheet lists the real estate salesperson examination fee as $36.75 and provides a 3½-hour time allotment.

The examination tests both general real estate principles and Florida-specific laws and practices. Review the candidate materials carefully before scheduling. Prepare for topics such as:

Property ownership and legal descriptions.
Real estate contracts.
Financing and mortgages.
Appraisal and market value.
Brokerage relationships.
License law and commission rules.
Advertising and escrow requirements.
Florida-specific regulations and terminology.

Hialeah students should not rely only on general national real estate vocabulary. Florida questions require attention to state rules, license categories, disclosures, brokerage supervision, and transaction procedures.

If you do not pass, follow Pearson VUE and DBPR instructions for retesting. Use the score report to identify weak areas instead of repeating the same study routine.

Step 5: Activate the License With an Employing Broker

Passing the examination does not mean you can independently practice real estate. A Florida sales associate must be registered with an employing broker to operate actively.

The broker provides legal supervision, transaction oversight, office policies, forms, training, and systems for serving clients. Interview several brokerages before choosing one. In Hialeah, consider whether the brokerage offers:

Spanish-language or multilingual support.
Training for first-time agents.
Familiarity with Miami-Dade contracts and transaction customs.
Guidance on condominium, rental, and residential transactions.
Clear commission and fee explanations.
Lead-generation and technology support.
Accessible supervision during evenings and weekends.

Ask how the brokerage handles contract review, escrow questions, advertising approval, open houses, showing safety, and disputes. A high commission split may be less valuable than strong supervision when you are new.

A brokerage that understands Hialeah’s neighborhoods can also help you learn how client needs differ between condo buyers, multigenerational households, renters transitioning to ownership, investors, and sellers preparing older homes for market.

Step 6: Complete the 45-Hour Post-License Requirement

Before the first renewal period ends, a Florida sales associate must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education and the required examination or examinations.

This requirement is separate from the initial 63-hour course. It is also separate from later continuing education. Treat it as a deadline immediately after receiving your license, not as an item to postpone until the renewal date approaches.

The first license period may be shorter or longer than expected depending on the date the license is issued and the expiration date assigned by DBPR. Check the expiration date on your license and calendar the post-license deadline.

Failure to complete the first-renewal post-license requirement on time can cause the license to become null and void. A four-year degree or higher in real estate may affect the education requirement, but verify any exemption with DBPR.

Step 7: Complete 14 Hours of Continuing Education

After the first renewal period, Florida licensees generally must complete 14 hours of continuing education during each subsequent two-year renewal period.

The current structure includes:

Three hours of Florida law core instruction.
Three hours of business ethics and practices.
Eight hours of specialty education.

Continuing education helps agents keep up with changes affecting contracts, disclosures, brokerage conduct, fair housing, ethics, technology, and Florida law. For an Hialeah agent, useful specialty subjects may include property management, condominium transactions, landlord-tenant issues, financing, insurance, or fair housing—provided the selected course is approved and relevant to your work.

How Long Does It Take to Get Licensed?

A realistic timeline is usually measured in weeks or months rather than a few days. The fastest path depends on:

How quickly you complete the 63-hour course.
Whether you pass the course examination on schedule.
How long DBPR takes to process the application.
How quickly fingerprint results are received and reviewed.
Pearson VUE appointment availability.
Whether you pass the state examination on the first attempt.
How soon you select an employing broker.

A motivated student may complete the education requirement quickly through an online format, but rushing can increase the risk of failing an exam or submitting an incomplete application. Build extra time into your plan if you have a prior record, need official documents, work irregular hours, or are coordinating family responsibilities.

Earnings and Career Opportunities in Hialeah

A Florida real estate license does not guarantee a salary, hourly wage, or commission income. Many sales associates are compensated through commissions, and income can vary substantially based on transactions closed, brokerage arrangements, market conditions, expenses, experience, and the amount of time devoted to the business.

Early expenses may include transportation, signs, marketing, phone service, professional tools, association dues, insurance, and continuing education. You may also need savings while building a client pipeline.

Hialeah offers several possible career directions:

Residential buyer representation.
Listing and seller representation.
Rental and leasing services.
New-construction sales.
Condominium transactions.
Relocation assistance within Miami-Dade County.
Property management, subject to applicable licensing and brokerage rules.
Commercial real estate after gaining experience.
Real estate investment support and referral relationships.

The city’s dense neighborhoods and proximity to major employment areas can create a broad range of client conversations. Some buyers may prioritize commute time, parking, school considerations, or access to family. Sellers may need help with pricing strategy, repairs, documentation, showings, and coordinating a move. Multilingual communication can be valuable, but agents must explain that they are not attorneys, tax professionals, inspectors, lenders, or insurance advisors.

A Practical Hialeah Launch Plan

Before enrolling:

Confirm that you meet the age, education, and Social Security number requirements.
Choose a Florida-approved 63-hour course.
Create a study schedule that works around Miami-Dade travel and family commitments.
Submit the DBPR application accurately.
Complete Livescan fingerprinting promptly.
Schedule Pearson VUE after receiving approval and completing education.
Interview brokerages before or immediately after passing.
Calendar the 45-hour post-license deadline.
Build a local prospecting plan focused on neighborhoods and client needs you genuinely understand.
Keep written records of fees, deadlines, course completion, exam results, and brokerage documents.

For another enrollment option, explore Florida sales associate pre-licensing courses before committing to a provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a college degree required to get a Florida real estate license?

No. Florida requires applicants to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have a United States Social Security number, complete the required education, and pass the examination. A four-year real estate degree may qualify for an education exemption.

Can a Hialeah resident complete the course online?

Yes, if the selected provider offers a Florida-approved distance education course. Confirm approval, attendance or testing rules, course completion documentation, and technical requirements before enrolling.

How much is the Florida real estate exam?

Pearson VUE lists the Florida real estate salesperson examination fee as $36.75. Application, fingerprinting, education, and business expenses are separate.

Do fingerprints have to be completed before applying?

DBPR’s checklist states that applicants must submit fingerprints through an approved Livescan provider immediately after submitting the license application.

Can I work independently after passing the exam?

No. A sales associate must operate under an employing broker. The broker supervises licensed activity and provides the structure required to begin practicing.

What happens if I miss the 45-hour post-license deadline?

The initial renewal requires 45 hours of approved post-license education. Failure to complete it by the license expiration deadline can cause the license to become null and void.

How often is continuing education required?

After the first renewal period, licensees generally complete 14 hours of continuing education during each two-year renewal period.

Is real estate a salaried job in Hialeah?

Not necessarily. Compensation depends on the brokerage arrangement and transactions completed. Review commission splits, fees, expenses, and tax responsibilities with the brokerage before starting.

Authoritative Sources