Florida real estate license and CE requirements
What the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) asks of licensees, with a link to the official source for every figure.
Last reviewed October 15, 2026. Next review due October 2027.
Florida asks for 14 hours of continuing education every two years: a 3-hour Core Law course, a 3-hour Business Ethics course and at least 8 hours of specialty courses. An hour of Florida CE is 50 minutes of instruction, and a licensee who takes Core Law in each year of the period earns specialty credit for the second sitting.
Your first Florida renewal is different. Instead of the 14 hours, sales associates complete 45 hours of post-licensing education and new brokers complete 60, all before that first renewal date. Active members of The Florida Bar in good standing are exempt from real estate CE.
Florida at a glance
| Licensing body | Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) |
|---|---|
| License levels | Sales associate and broker (broker associate is a broker working under another broker) |
| Sales associate CE | 14 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Core Law (3 hrs) and Business Ethics (3 hrs) once each renewal period, plus at least 8 hrs of specialty courses |
| Broker CE | 14 hours every 2 yearsRequired topics: Core Law (3 hrs) and Business Ethics (3 hrs) once each renewal period, plus at least 8 hrs of specialty courses |
| Post-license education | Before the first renewal: Commission-prescribed post-licensing education of 45 hours for sales associates and 60 hours for brokers (hours of 50 minutes each); the 14-hour CE requirement does not apply to the first renewal. |
| Source | State code or rule text (Florida), checked October 15, 2026 |
Rules change. The Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) is the only authority on what you need to renew; where this page and the official source disagree, the official source is right. Blank figures say "Check with the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation)" because we could not confirm them from an official source.
Optional professional development
Once your CE is done, these ACI designations go deeper on the same ground as parts of the Florida requirements. They are voluntary, they are not CE, and you never need them to keep your license.
Advanced Real Estate Negotiator
The negotiation playbook that protects your clients and your commission.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the AREN is a practical playbook for negotiating offers and counters.
Certified AI Real Estate Expert
Use AI and modern tools to write, market and serve clients in less time.
Optional depth beyond licensing topics: the CAIRE covers using AI tools responsibly in daily work.
Certified Buyer Consultation Specialist
Run the buyer consultation, sign the agreement and defend your fee.
The CBCS covers the buyer consultation, written buyer agreements and compensation conversations in depth.
Questions about Florida
How many CE hours does a Florida sales associate need?
14 hours every 2 years, according to the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Core Law (3 hrs) and Business Ethics (3 hrs) once each renewal period, plus at least 8 hrs of specialty courses.
How many CE hours does a Florida broker need?
14 hours every 2 years, according to the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) (checked October 15, 2026). Required topics: Core Law (3 hrs) and Business Ethics (3 hrs) once each renewal period, plus at least 8 hrs of specialty courses.
Is there post-license education in Florida?
Before the first renewal: Commission-prescribed post-licensing education of 45 hours for sales associates and 60 hours for brokers (hours of 50 minutes each); the 14-hour CE requirement does not apply to the first renewal. Confirm the details with the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation).
Do ACI designations count toward Florida CE?
No. Agent Certification Institute designations are voluntary professional credentials, not continuing-education credit. They are not approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (Department of Business and Professional Regulation) and do not satisfy any part of Florida's CE, post-license or renewal requirements.