Personal Requirements

• You must be at least 18 years old, possess a valid Social Security number and pass a criminal background check to qualify for a sales associate or broker's real estate license. You must submit an application to the Florida Division of Real Estate for both license types. As of 2010, the fee for a sales associate application is $105, and the fee for a broker's application is $115. Your fingerprints are required for the background check during the application process. Florida does not retain your criminal history for more than six months after your prints are taken, so you must submit your completed application for the license before the background check expires.
  
  

Education

• You must possess at least a high school diploma or the equivalent and pass the 63-hour sales associate pre-license course for a sales associate license. A broker license applicant has to pass a 72-hour broker's pre-license course. The pre-license course has to be approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission.
  
  

Passing Exam

• Both a sales associate and broker license applicant have to pass an examination administered by Pearson Vue, a nationwide commercial testing company, in Florida. You must apply to the Florida Division of Real Estate to obtain authorization before making a reservation to take the test. As of 2010, the exams for a real estate sales associate and broker are three-and-a-half hours long and cost $31.50.
  
  

Experience

• You do not need experience if you are applying for a sales associate license. However, a broker must be able to prove previous real estate experience. You may apply for a broker's license if you have been an active sales associate under the supervision of at least one broker or in the employ of a government agency for two out of the last five years. If you currently have a broker's license from another state or a country allowed by the DRE, you can apply for a broker's license in Florida as long as you have had your license for at least two out of the last five years.