Hollywood, Florida, offers an appealing setting for a real estate career: Broward County coastal living, established residential neighborhoods, Downtown Hollywood’s walkable business and entertainment district, and proximity to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Palm Beach County. If you want to help clients buy, sell, or lease property in this market, the first step is earning a Florida real estate sales associate license. A convenient way to begin is through Florida’s approved 63-hour real estate pre-licensing course, which can help you satisfy the education requirement before taking the state examination.

Florida does not issue a separate “Hollywood real estate license.” The license is issued statewide by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, or DBPR, through the Florida Real Estate Commission, commonly called FREC. Once licensed, you can work with a brokerage in Hollywood or elsewhere in Florida, subject to the state’s licensing and employment rules.

Florida Sales Associate License Requirements

Before applying, confirm that you meet Florida’s basic eligibility standards. DBPR’s official sales associate checklist states that applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Have a United States Social Security number.
• Complete the required Florida-approved pre-license education.
• Pass the Florida sales associate examination.
• Complete the required background-check and fingerprint process.

A four-year degree or higher in real estate may qualify an applicant for an education exemption, but DBPR requires official documentation for review. A general college degree does not automatically replace the required course.

The Social Security number requirement matters for applicants who have recently moved to Hollywood from another country or state. Resolve any documentation questions with DBPR before scheduling the examination or making nonrefundable arrangements.

Complete the 63-Hour Pre-License Course

Florida requires prospective sales associates to complete a commission-approved 63-hour pre-license course based on the FREC I curriculum. The course covers real estate principles and practices, real estate law, financing, contracts, property ownership, brokerage relationships, and other subjects tested on the licensing examination. DBPR identifies the 63-hour course and its end-of-course examination as the pre-licensure requirement.

The course consists of instructional hours defined by Florida’s rules, not necessarily 63 traditional 60-minute hours. The official law book describes the sales associate course as 63 classroom hours of 50 minutes each, inclusive of the course examination.

Can You Take the Course Online?

Yes. Florida-approved real estate education may be available through distance education, including online formats, provided the provider and course meet the state’s approval requirements. DBPR materials recognize distance education for real estate coursework.

Online education can be especially useful for Hollywood residents balancing work, family obligations, or commuting. A student living near Hollywood Beach may prefer self-paced study before or after work, while someone traveling along the I-95, Florida’s Turnpike, or regional transit corridors may value access from different locations.

Choose a provider carefully. Before enrolling, confirm that:

• The course is approved for Florida sales associate pre-licensing.
• The provider issues acceptable proof of completion.
• The course includes the required end-of-course examination.
• You understand the provider’s attendance, identity-verification, and testing rules.
• The course completion remains valid when you sit for the state exam.

DBPR’s checklist states that the course completion is valid for two years from the completion date. If it expires, the applicant may not be permitted to sit for the state examination without current proof of completion.

Submit the DBPR Application

You may submit the sales associate application before completing the pre-license course. DBPR’s official checklist explains that the course is required before sitting for the state examination, but it does not have to be completed when the application is submitted.

The application process generally involves:

1. Completing the Florida sales associate application.
2. Providing the required personal information and Social Security number.
3. Paying the applicable application fee.
4. Waiting for DBPR to review the application and authorize examination eligibility.
5. Completing fingerprints through an approved Livescan provider.
6. Scheduling the examination after receiving authorization and satisfying the education requirement.

Answer every background question completely and accurately. An arrest, charge, conviction, disciplinary action, or prior license issue does not necessarily mean automatic denial, but failing to disclose required information can create a separate licensing problem.

Fingerprints and Background Check

A background check is part of Florida’s licensing process. DBPR instructs applicants to submit fingerprints through a Livescan service provider registered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement after submitting the application.

Use the exact identifying information supplied in your application. Fingerprint results can be delayed if personal details do not match, if the wrong agency information is used, or if the Livescan submission is incomplete. DBPR states that fingerprint results may take up to five days to reach the Department after submission, although the entire application review may take longer.

Hollywood applicants can choose from approved Livescan locations in Broward County. Confirm that the provider is authorized for DBPR real estate licensing and ask what identification or appointment information is required.

Pay the Official Licensing Costs

Florida licensing costs include separate charges for the application, examination, fingerprinting, and the initial license. The official FREC law book lists the sales associate application fee as $14.75 and the biennial sales associate license fee as $64.

The examination and fingerprint charges are separate and may be collected by the examination vendor or Livescan provider. The total amount therefore depends partly on the provider selected and on the current examination fee schedule. Verify the final amount directly through DBPR and Pearson VUE before paying.

A realistic budget should include:

• The pre-license course tuition.
• The DBPR sales associate application fee.
• The Pearson VUE examination fee.
• Livescan fingerprinting and processing charges.
• The initial license fee.
• Transportation, study materials, and possible retesting costs.

Do not rely on an old blog post or an unofficial fee chart. Florida’s fees and vendor procedures can change, and official sources should control.

Schedule and Pass the Pearson VUE Exam

Florida’s sales associate examination is administered by Pearson VUE. DBPR’s application checklist identifies Pearson VUE as the examination provider.

The state exam tests the knowledge covered by the approved course, including Florida real estate law and general real estate principles. Treat the course final and state exam as separate milestones: passing the course examination does not automatically mean you have passed the state licensing examination.

Practical Exam Preparation

A focused study plan can make the process more manageable:

• Review Florida license law, brokerage relationships, escrow, contracts, and disclosure rules.
• Work through practice questions without memorizing answer patterns.
• Create a list of formulas and vocabulary that require repeated review.
• Study in short sessions rather than waiting until the last few days.
• Schedule the examination only after consistently passing practice tests.
• Bring the identification and course-completion documentation required by Pearson VUE.

If you do not pass, follow the retesting instructions provided by the state and testing vendor. Avoid allowing the two-year course-completion period to run out while delaying a retake.

How Long Does It Take?

There is no single guaranteed timeline. A prepared applicant who completes online education quickly, submits a complete application, finishes fingerprints promptly, receives approval, and finds an available examination appointment may complete the process in a matter of weeks. A slower schedule, application questions, fingerprint delays, limited test appointments, or a failed examination can extend the process to several months.

A practical sequence looks like this:

• Week 1: Compare approved schools and enroll in the 63-hour course.
• Weeks 1–4 or longer: Complete the coursework and end-of-course exam.
• During or after the course: Submit the DBPR application.
• After application submission: Complete Livescan fingerprints.
• After approval and course completion: Schedule the Pearson VUE exam.
• After passing: Activate the license with an employing broker.

The exact timing depends on study pace and government or vendor processing. Build extra time into the plan if you are coordinating a job change, relocation to Hollywood, or a planned start date with a brokerage.

Find an Employing Broker in Hollywood

Passing the exam does not mean you should immediately begin practicing independently. A Florida sales associate works under the direction of a licensed broker. You must select a brokerage and have the broker activate or employ your license before conducting licensed real estate activity.

Interview several brokerages instead of choosing solely on brand recognition. In Hollywood, ask how the brokerage serves different parts of the local market, including:

• Hollywood Beach and nearby coastal properties.
• Downtown Hollywood condos, apartments, restaurants, and small businesses.
• Single-family neighborhoods west of the beach.
• Relocation clients commuting to Fort Lauderdale, Miami, or Palm Beach County.
• Buyers and sellers dealing with condominium rules, insurance concerns, flood exposure, or coastal maintenance.

A brokerage’s training, supervision, technology, lead policies, commission structure, transaction fees, and support can matter more than its office sign. Ask whether new associates receive help with contracts, listing appointments, inspections, appraisal issues, and transaction coordination.

Complete the 45-Hour Post-License Education

Florida sales associates must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education during the first renewal period. DBPR identifies this as a requirement for maintaining the license, and failure to complete it by the applicable deadline can cause the license to become null and void.

The post-license curriculum is more practical than the initial course. It may address property management, appraisal, financing, marketing, technology, listing and selling property, office management, business planning, and time management.

Do not treat post-license education as optional professional development. Track the deadline printed on your license and enroll early enough to complete both the instruction and any required course examination.

Continuing Education After the First Renewal

After the first renewal cycle, Florida licensees generally complete 14 hours of continuing education during each subsequent renewal period. DBPR’s education materials describe the 14 hours as:

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

Continuing education is in addition to the renewal fee. It can help a Hollywood associate stay current on Florida law, transaction procedures, technology, and changing client needs. Distance education may be available, but confirm that the selected course is approved and applies to your renewal period.

Earnings and Career Opportunities

Real estate income is not guaranteed. Sales associates commonly earn through commissions or other brokerage compensation tied to completed transactions, and the amount can vary with production, brokerage agreements, expenses, market conditions, and the type of property served.

That variation is particularly relevant in Hollywood. A new associate might build a business around first-time buyers, residential resales, rentals, relocation, condominiums, waterfront homes, investment properties, or commercial opportunities near Downtown Hollywood. Each niche requires different knowledge and prospecting strategies.

Potential career directions include:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Residential listing services.
• Leasing and rental representation.
• Condominium and coastal property sales.
• Relocation services for tri-county commuters.
• Property management, subject to applicable licensing and brokerage requirements.
• New-construction sales.
• Commercial real estate.
• Later advancement to a Florida broker license.

A new associate should plan for startup and operating expenses rather than assuming immediate income. Budget for transportation across Broward County, marketing, professional services, association or MLS costs if applicable, technology, insurance, and periods between closings.

Building a Hollywood Real Estate Business

Local knowledge can become a practical advantage. Learn how neighborhood character changes from the beach to the mainland, how Downtown Hollywood attracts residents and visitors, and how Broward County connects to Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County employment centers.

Do not rely only on personal impressions. Study public records, municipal information, flood and insurance considerations, condominium documents, zoning, transportation, and current listing activity. Clients need accurate explanations, not generic claims about “the Florida market.”

A strong first-year plan may include:

• Shadowing experienced agents during showings and inspections.
• Learning the contract and disclosure process thoroughly.
• Creating a neighborhood study covering Hollywood Beach, Downtown Hollywood, and inland communities.
• Building relationships with lenders, inspectors, title professionals, and insurance specialists.
• Following up consistently with renters, buyers, sellers, and local contacts.
• Completing post-license education before the deadline.
• Keeping detailed records of expenses, contacts, appointments, and training.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to live in Hollywood to get a Florida real estate license?

No. Florida issues a statewide sales associate license. You can live in Hollywood or another location, but you must satisfy Florida’s education, application, fingerprint, examination, and employment requirements.

Can I get a Florida real estate license without a college degree?

Yes. The basic education requirement is a high school diploma or equivalent, along with the approved 63-hour pre-license course unless an applicable exemption is granted.

Is the Florida pre-license course available online?

Approved distance-education options may be available. Confirm that the specific provider and course are approved for Florida sales associate pre-licensing before enrolling.

How long is the 63-hour course valid?

DBPR states that course completion is valid for two years from the date of completion. An expired completion record may not be accepted at the examination site.

Can I work independently after passing the state exam?

No. A Florida sales associate must work under a licensed broker. Choose an employing broker and complete the activation process before performing licensed activities.

What education is required after I become licensed?

Sales associates must complete 45 hours of approved post-license education during the first renewal period. After that, licensees generally complete 14 hours of continuing education during each renewal period.

How much money do Hollywood real estate agents make?

There is no reliable universal amount for a new associate. Earnings depend on transactions, compensation arrangements, expenses, experience, property type, and market conditions. Treat income projections from schools or brokerages as estimates, not guarantees.

Authoritative Sources

• Florida DBPR Sales Associate Initial Application Checklist
• Florida Real Estate Commission and DBPR Real Estate Information
• Florida Real Estate Education Requirements
• Florida Real Estate Law Book
• Florida DBPR Real Estate Renewal Information