If you want to build a real estate career in Sunrise, Florida, the first step is completing Florida’s state licensing process—not a separate city license. A practical place to begin is this Florida-approved pre-licensing course for aspiring sales associates, which can help you satisfy the required education before applying for the state exam. From Sunrise’s residential neighborhoods and planned communities to commercial corridors near Sawgrass Mills and the western Broward County business district, local knowledge can become a valuable advantage after you earn your license.

Florida Real Estate License Requirements

Florida calls the entry-level real estate professional a sales associate. A sales associate may perform licensed real estate services under the direction of a qualifying employing broker.

Before applying, you must meet these basic requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Have a Social Security number.
• Complete the required 63-hour pre-license education.
• Submit an application and required fee.
• Submit electronic fingerprints for a background check.
• Pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Examination.
• Activate the license with a Florida employing broker or keep it inactive until you are ready to affiliate.

DBPR identifies the minimum age, education, Social Security number, fingerprints, and examination requirements in its sales associate application materials. The state’s licensure information also confirms that applicants must be at least 18 and possess a high school diploma or equivalent.

A Florida Bar member in good standing may qualify for an exemption from the FREC-prescribed prerequisite course, but that exception does not automatically eliminate other licensing steps. Most applicants pursuing a first license should plan on completing the full course.

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

Florida requires prospective sales associates to complete a FREC-approved 63-hour pre-license course. The course covers foundational real estate principles, practices, and applicable license law.

The 63 hours are measured as classroom hours, with each classroom hour consisting of 50 minutes under Florida’s regulatory framework. The course also includes an end-of-course examination. You must successfully complete the course before qualifying for the state sales associate examination.

Can You Complete the Course Online?

Yes. Florida-approved real estate education may be available through distance education, including online formats, provided the course and school meet Florida’s approval requirements. Online education can be especially useful for Sunrise residents balancing work, family, or commuting across Broward County.

Before enrolling, confirm that the provider offers a Florida-approved sales associate pre-license course rather than a general real estate class. A properly approved course should prepare you for both the course examination and the state licensing examination.

For students in Sunrise, online study can eliminate regular travel to a classroom while still allowing a structured schedule. Set aside consistent study time for contracts, agency relationships, financing, property ownership, valuation, Florida license law, and brokerage operations.

The completed pre-license course remains valid for licensure purposes for two years from the completion date, according to FREC’s associate requirements document. That period gives you time to complete the application, fingerprints, and state examination, but waiting too long can create avoidable scheduling pressure.

Step 2: Submit the DBPR Application

After completing the course—or while preparing to complete the remaining administrative steps—you can submit the sales associate application to DBPR.

The current DBPR sales associate application lists a $62.75 application fee. Use the current application form and payment instructions because fees and administrative procedures can change.

The application asks for identifying information, education details, and background information. Answer every question accurately and disclose information requested by the form. A criminal history does not necessarily mean automatic denial, but omissions or inaccurate answers can create additional problems during review.

You can apply through DBPR’s online services or follow the submission instructions on the current application. Keep copies of your application, payment confirmation, course completion documentation, and correspondence.

Social Security Number Requirement

Florida requires a Social Security number for a sales associate license application. Make sure the information on your application matches your government records. Differences in names, dates of birth, or identification information can delay processing.

Step 3: Complete Electronic Fingerprints

Sales associate applicants must submit electronic fingerprints as part of the licensing and background-screening process. Fingerprints are generally transmitted through an approved livescan service provider.

The fingerprinting fee is paid to the livescan provider and is separate from the DBPR application fee. The amount can vary by provider, so verify the current price when scheduling. Bring the identification documents requested by the provider and use the same legal name shown on your DBPR application.

Fingerprint processing is one reason to begin the application process early. A delay, mismatch, or additional review can extend the time before you are cleared to proceed.

Step 4: Schedule the Pearson VUE Exam

Once you satisfy the education requirement and receive authorization to test, schedule the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Examination with Pearson VUE.

Pearson VUE lists the Florida real estate salesperson examination fee as $36.75 and the allotted testing time as three and one-half hours. Confirm the current fee, available test centers, identification rules, and scheduling instructions before booking.

The exam is based on Florida’s required real estate knowledge, including state license law and general real estate principles. Course completion alone is not a substitute for exam preparation. Use practice questions, review missed topics, and become comfortable with calculations involving commissions, prorations, loan concepts, property measurements, and closing costs.

FREC’s requirements document states that an applicant must pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Examination with a score of at least 75. If you do not pass, review Pearson VUE and DBPR retake procedures before scheduling another attempt. Additional examination fees may apply.

A Practical Sunrise Exam Plan

A realistic local plan is to complete the course first, submit the application and fingerprints promptly, and reserve a testing appointment as soon as you are eligible. Sunrise residents may find testing locations elsewhere in Broward County or nearby South Florida communities, so check the current Pearson VUE schedule rather than assuming a particular center is available.

Allow travel time, bring approved identification, and avoid scheduling the exam immediately after an overnight work shift. A focused review period of one to three weeks after the course can be useful, although the best timeline depends on your prior experience and study hours.

Step 5: Activate Your License With a Broker

Passing the exam does not mean you can immediately operate independently. Florida requires a sales associate to work under an employing broker to conduct licensed real estate activity.

FREC explains that a new license may be issued in inactive status. Activation can be completed with the DBPR form for becoming active, or the broker can activate the sales associate through the broker’s online account.

Choosing a Sunrise-Area Brokerage

Interview several brokerages before choosing one. The right firm should offer more than a recognizable name. Ask about:

• Commission splits and transaction fees.
• Training for new agents.
• Mentorship and supervision.
• Lead sources and marketing expectations.
• Association and multiple listing service costs.
• Technology, transaction management, and document systems.
• Office access and support for remote agents.
• Coverage of errors-and-omissions insurance.
• Expectations for prospecting, open houses, and client follow-up.

A brokerage serving Sunrise and western Broward County may provide useful familiarity with local subdivisions, condominium communities, homeowner associations, tax considerations, municipal services, commuting patterns, and nearby employment centers. You should still verify property-specific information through official records and required disclosures rather than relying only on local reputation.

Sunrise’s location within Broward County can expose a new agent to a mix of residential resale, rentals, relocation, condominium, new-construction, retail, and commercial opportunities. The city’s proximity to major roadways and prominent retail and entertainment destinations also means clients may ask detailed questions about traffic, school boundaries, flood exposure, insurance, association rules, and neighborhood convenience. Treat each issue as a due-diligence question requiring current verification.

Official Costs to Budget

The following are the specific government or testing fees identified in the available official materials:

| Item | Current listed amount |
|---|---:|
| DBPR sales associate application | $62.75 |
| Pearson VUE sales associate examination | $36.75 |
| Fingerprints | Provider-dependent; verify with the livescan vendor |
| Pre-license course | Provider-dependent |
| Initial license or renewal fee | Verify the current DBPR amount before payment |

Florida’s law book lists a biennial sales associate license fee of $64 under the cited fee structure. Because DBPR fee schedules and administrative charges can change, verify the amount shown in the current application, renewal notice, or DBPR online account before submitting payment.

Your actual startup budget will therefore include the course, application, fingerprints, examination, license-related fees, study materials, transportation, and possibly brokerage or association expenses. A brokerage may also charge onboarding, technology, desk, transaction, or marketing fees.

Realistic Timeline

A motivated full-time student may complete the basic process in several weeks, but a more realistic planning range for many part-time applicants is two to four months. That is a planning estimate, not a state guarantee.

A typical sequence looks like this:

1. Enroll in and complete the 63-hour course.
2. Pass the course examination.
3. Submit the DBPR application.
4. Complete electronic fingerprints.
5. Wait for authorization and schedule Pearson VUE.
6. Pass the state examination.
7. Affiliate with an employing broker and activate the license.

The course itself may take a few weeks, depending on whether you study full time or complete online lessons around another job. Application review, fingerprint processing, exam availability, and retesting can extend the timeline.

Do not resign from an existing job based solely on an expected license date. Licensing approval and early real estate income are not guaranteed.

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

After receiving the initial sales associate license, Florida requires 45 hours of post-license education before the first renewal.

This requirement applies even if your license is inactive. DBPR warns that failure to complete the required post-license education by the expiration date can cause the license to become null and void.

The 45-hour course is different from the initial 63-hour pre-license course. Schedule it well before your first renewal deadline. Waiting until the final weeks can create a serious risk if the course is difficult to schedule or if you encounter a technical or examination issue.

Continuing Education and Renewals

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

DBPR’s current information states that continuing education can be completed through distance education or in a classroom. The education requirement is in addition to applicable renewal fees.

Monitor the expiration date printed on your license and notices in your DBPR account. Missing the renewal deadline or education requirement can affect your ability to practice and may create reinstatement costs or other administrative consequences.

Earnings and Career Opportunities in Sunrise

Real estate income is usually commission-based rather than salary-based. Earnings depend on completed transactions, price points, commission agreements, brokerage splits, expenses, market conditions, lead generation, and whether you work full time or part time. No earnings level is guaranteed by obtaining a Florida license.

New agents should budget for expenses before expecting consistent income. These may include transportation, professional dues, marketing, signs, photography, continuing education, technology, insurance, and brokerage charges.

A Sunrise sales associate might pursue several paths:

• Residential buyer representation.
• Listing and seller representation.
• Condominium and townhouse transactions.
• Rental and relocation services.
• New-construction sales.
• Luxury or waterfront-adjacent markets elsewhere in Broward County.
• Commercial leasing and investment property.
• Property management, if separately qualified and working within applicable rules.
• Referral business and relocation networks.
• A future broker license after gaining experience and meeting additional requirements.

Local specialization can make your service more useful. You might focus on first-time buyers, condominium owners, relocation clients, investors, renters transitioning to ownership, or homeowners preparing to sell. Learn Sunrise’s neighborhoods, municipal processes, association documents, insurance concerns, transportation routes, and surrounding Broward communities—but verify current information for every transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a Sunrise license in addition to a Florida license?

No separate Sunrise real estate license is identified in the Florida sales associate process. You need the Florida DBPR license and must operate under a Florida employing broker.

Can I take the 63-hour course online?

Yes, an approved provider may offer distance education. Confirm that the specific course is approved for Florida sales associate pre-licensing before enrolling.

How much does the Florida real estate exam cost?

Pearson VUE lists the sales associate examination fee as $36.75 in its official fact sheet. Confirm the current amount when scheduling.

What score is required to pass?

FREC’s requirements document states that the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Examination requires a score of at least 75.

Can I work independently after passing?

No. A sales associate must be activated under an employing broker to perform licensed real estate services. The license may otherwise remain inactive.

When do I complete the 45-hour post-license course?

You must complete the 45-hour sales associate post-license requirement before the first license renewal.

How often is continuing education required?

After the initial post-license period, active licensees generally complete 14 hours of continuing education every two years.

Is real estate a salaried career?

Usually not. Many sales associates receive commission income and pay business expenses, so income can vary significantly by transactions, brokerage agreement, market conditions, and personal production.

Authoritative Sources

• Florida DBPR Real Estate Commission home page
• DBPR Sales Associate License Application
• DBPR Real Estate Commission Licensure Information
• FREC Real Estate Associate Requirements
• Pearson VUE Florida Real Estate Examination Fact Sheet
• Florida Real Estate Law Book
• Florida sales associate pre-licensing education information