Broker vs. Sales Associate CE in Florida: What Each License Needs

Florida has two real estate license types, sales associate and broker, and each has its own education path. The good news for renewals: once you are past your first renewal, the continuing education requirement is the same 14 hours for both. The differences are in the education you take before that first renewal and in what it takes to move from sales associate to broker. This guide lays it out side by side.

The short answer

After the first renewal, sales associates, broker associates and brokers all complete 14 hours of FREC-approved continuing education every two-year renewal cycle: 3 hours of Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours of specialty education. Before the first renewal, CE does not apply; instead, sales associates complete 45 hours of post-licensing education and brokers complete 60 hours.

Side-by-side comparison

Post-licensing: the first-renewal requirement

Post-licensing education is not continuing education. Under section 475.17, Florida Statutes, a sales associate must finish the 45-hour post-licensing course before the first renewal; if it is not completed, the license becomes null and void, and the person must retake the sales associate pre-license course and pass the state exam to be licensed again. A broker who misses the 60-hour post-licensing course before the first renewal also loses the broker license; the statute allows that person to obtain a sales associate license by completing the 14-hour continuing education course within 6 months after the broker license expired. Licensees with a four-year degree in real estate from an accredited institution are exempt from post-licensing education.

Continuing education: the same 14 hours for everyone

From the second renewal onward, the requirement does not depend on license type. Brokers, broker associates and sales associates each complete 14 hours per two-year cycle. Make sure the course shows Core Law and Ethics & Business Practices credit so the hours count toward the right categories, and that the provider reports your completion to DBPR before you renew.

Two reads worth doing before you renew: check your CE hours with DBPR to confirm what is on record, and see how the 14 hours break down for the course categories.

Moving from sales associate to broker

To qualify for a broker license, a sales associate needs at least 24 months as an active licensee within the preceding five years, must have completed the sales associate post-licensing course, and must complete the 72-hour broker pre-license course and pass the broker exam. After becoming a broker, the 60-hour broker post-licensing course is due before the first broker renewal; after that, the familiar 14-hour CE cycle applies.

Which course should you take this cycle?

• First license, first renewal coming up: your 45-hour (sales associate) or 60-hour (broker) post-licensing course, not CE.
• Second renewal or later, either license type: 14 hours of CE.
• Not sure where you stand: look up your license and education record on MyFloridaLicense.com.

For the rules in one place, see Florida CE requirements and the Florida license renewal guide.

Take your 14 hours of CE free

If you are a Florida sales associate or broker past your first renewal, you can complete all 14 hours online at no cost. The course is provided by Sunstate Real Estate School and sponsored free by DCA Florida Homes for Sarasota and Charlotte County agents.

FAQ

General information only, based on section 475.17, Florida Statutes and FREC requirements; confirm your own record with DBPR.