Florida Real Estate License Renewal: Complete Guide (2026)
Florida real estate license renewal happens every two years, and what you need to do depends entirely on whether this is your first renewal or a later one. First-time renewals require a 45-hour post-license course. Every renewal after that requires 14 hours of continuing education. This guide explains the full Florida real estate renewal process — deadlines, requirements, fees, and how to complete everything online through the DBPR.
Which Florida Real Estate License Renewal Applies to You?
This is the single most important question, because the two paths have nothing in common. Find your situation below.
You’ve never renewed before. You need the 45-hour post-license course. This is a one-time requirement that replaces continuing education for your first renewal only. Continuing education hours do not count toward it.
You’ve renewed at least once. You need 14 hours of continuing education, and you’ll repeat this every two years for the rest of your career.
Not sure which one you are? Check your license record in the DBPR portal. If your license has never been renewed, it will still show your original issue date with no renewal history.
Florida Real Estate License Renewal Deadlines
Florida uses two fixed expiration dates for real estate licenses:
- March 31
- September 30
Your specific date is printed on your license and shown in your DBPR account. Renewal cycles run every 24 months, with one exception: your first cycle runs between 18 and 24 months depending on when your original license was issued.
All education must be completed before your expiration date, not before the day you submit payment. Providers report credits to the DBPR electronically, but that reporting is not always instant — finishing your course the night before your deadline is a real risk.
First Renewal: The 45-Hour Post-License Course
Sales associates renewing for the first time must complete a 45-hour post-license course approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) and pass its final exam. There is no partial credit — all 45 hours must be finished.
Missing this deadline is the most expensive mistake in Florida real estate. Your license becomes null and void, and there is no reinstatement path. You start over from pre-license education and the state exam.
For the full step-by-step process, deadlines, and exemptions, see our detailed guide on how to renew your Florida real estate license for the first time.
Later Renewals: 14 Hours of Continuing Education
After your first renewal, every subsequent Florida real estate license renewal requires 14 hours of continuing education within each two-year cycle. The hours are split between required subjects and electives set by FREC.
Full breakdown, subject requirements, and enrollment details are on our 14-hour Florida continuing education course page.
Florida Real Estate License Renewal Fee
The DBPR does not publish a fixed renewal fee schedule for real estate licensees. The exact amount appears in your online account only when you begin the renewal, and it is typically $32 to $64 for sales associates depending on your license status at the time of renewal.
Renewing after your expiration date adds a $25 late fee. Your course cost is separate from the DBPR fee and depends on your provider.
For a walkthrough of the payment screen itself, see our guide to the DBPR license renewal payment process.
How to Complete Your Florida Real Estate License Renewal Online
- Finish your required education — 45 hours for a first renewal, 14 hours of CE for any renewal after that.
- Confirm your credits posted. Your provider reports to the DBPR, but verify it yourself and keep the certificate. See how to check your continuing education credits with the DBPR.
- Log in to the DBPR portal at myfloridalicense.com and link your license if you haven’t already.
- Submit the renewal application and pay. The fee appears at this step.
- Download your updated license once processing completes.
What If Your License Is Already Inactive or Expired?
- Involuntarily inactive under 12 months: complete 14 hours of CE and pay the reactivation fee.
- Involuntarily inactive 12–24 months: complete 28 hours of reactivation education and pay the fee.
- Over 24 months: the license is null and void. You must start over with pre-license education and the state exam.
An inactive license is not the same as an expired one. Inactive means you’re still licensed but not registered with a broker — you keep renewing on schedule. Verify your exact status in the DBPR portal before assuming which rule applies to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is Florida real estate license renewal required?
Every two years. Florida real estate licenses expire on either March 31 or September 30, and the specific date is printed on your license. The only exception is your first cycle, which runs 18 to 24 months from your original issue date.
How much is the Florida real estate license renewal fee?
The DBPR does not publish a fixed renewal fee. The exact amount appears in your online account when you start the renewal and is typically $32 to $64 for sales associates. Renewing after your expiration date adds a $25 late fee. Your course cost is separate.
What is the difference between the 45-hour and 14-hour renewal requirement?
The 45-hour post-license course is a one-time requirement for your first renewal only. Every renewal after that requires 14 hours of continuing education within each two-year cycle. Continuing education hours cannot be substituted for the 45-hour post-license requirement.
Can I renew my Florida real estate license online?
Yes. The entire process is handled through the DBPR portal at myfloridalicense.com, including verifying your education credits, submitting the application, paying the fee, and downloading your updated license.
Source
Licensing requirements, renewal cycles, and reactivation rules are set by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). Verify your individual status and deadlines at myfloridalicense.com.