Florida's 14-Hour Real Estate CE, Explained: Core Law, Ethics and Specialty Hours

Every Florida real estate sales associate and broker who is past their first renewal must complete 14 hours of continuing education (CE) before each license renewal. The requirement comes from Florida Real Estate Commission rule 61J2-3.009, and it is the same 14 hours whether your license is active or inactive. Those 14 hours are not one big block of electives, though. They are split into three parts, and each part has its own rules. Here is how the requirement breaks down and how to finish all of it in one free online course.

The three parts of the 14 hours

1. Core Law: 3 hours

Core Law is a 3-hour course whose content is prescribed by the Commission. It covers Florida license law and Commission rules, agency law, and an introduction to other state laws, federal laws and taxes that affect real estate. You must take Core Law once in every renewal period. If you take Core Law in each year of your two-year renewal period, you earn 3 hours of Core Law credit plus 3 hours of specialty credit, but Core Law credit itself is capped at 3 hours per renewal period.

2. Ethics & Business Practices: 3 hours

The 3-hour Business Ethics course is also required once per renewal period. It focuses on professional conduct, honest dealing with customers and other licensees, and the business practices that keep agents out of trouble with the Commission. As with Core Law, taking the ethics course in each year of the renewal period earns 3 hours of ethics credit plus 3 hours of specialty credit.

3. Specialty education: 8 hours

The remaining 8 hours are specialty education: Commission-approved courses on real estate practice topics. Specialty courses run from 2 to 8 hours each, so you can meet the 8 hours with one longer course or several shorter ones. Together, Core Law (3) + Ethics (3) + Specialty (8) = 14 hours.

Quick reference

Who needs the 14 hours (and who doesn't yet)

The 14-hour CE requirement applies from your second renewal onward. Your first renewal is different: newly licensed sales associates complete 45 hours of post-licensing education and new brokers complete 60 hours before their first renewal, instead of the 14-hour CE. If you are not sure which requirement applies to you, our guide to checking your CE hours with DBPR walks through how to look up your license and education record.

Course exams and passing scores

Distance-learning CE courses in Florida end with a course exam. Under the Commission's rule, you need a score of 80% or higher to pass, and if you fail you must review the course before taking a different version of the exam. Plan a little time at the end of each section for the exam rather than leaving it all for the last night before your deadline.

Deadlines: don't leave it to the last week

Florida real estate licenses renew every two years, on either March 31 or September 30 depending on your license. Your CE has to be completed before your license expires, and your school then reports your completion to DBPR. See our Florida license renewal guide for the full renewal steps and the Florida CE requirements page for the rules in one place.

Take all 14 hours free, online

Our 14-hour Florida CE course covers all three parts, Core Law, Ethics & Business Practices and specialty, in one online course you can complete at your own pace. It is provided by Sunstate Real Estate School and sponsored free by DCA Florida Homes for agents in Sarasota and Charlotte Counties, including North Port, Venice, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.

FAQ

Source: Florida Administrative Code Rule 61J2-3.009. This page is general information, not legal advice; always confirm your own requirements with DBPR.