Transfer Your Real Estate License to Florida: Reciprocity & Endorsement (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR ↗
Florida recognizes real estate licenses from 10 named states (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, West Virginia). Licensees from those states apply to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR under the agreement — Mutual-recognition applicants skip the national exam and the 63-hour pre-license course; a 40-question Florida real estate law exam (30 of 40 correct to pass) is required. From any other state, you apply as a new applicant. Fee: $62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately).
Moving to Florida from a specific state?
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Verdict
Reciprocity with 10 states
Florida's agreement is a list, and the list is the law: if your state appears on it, the streamlined track below applies; if not, no amount of experience substitutes — you use the new-applicant track. Check the list before anything else, and remember it describes states Florida recognizes, which says nothing about the reverse direction.
Mutual recognition covers 10 named states, verified on the FREC page: Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, West Virginia. Licensees who obtained their out-of-state license by reciprocity cannot use mutual recognition. All other states' licensees must apply as new applicants (63-hour course + full exam).
Florida requirements at a glance
| Exam | Mutual-recognition applicants skip the national exam and the 63-hour pre-license course; a 40-question Florida real estate law exam (30 of 40 correct to pass) is required |
|---|---|
| Training hours | 63 hours |
| Additional requirements |
|
| Fees | $62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately) |
| Processing time | No board-stated timeframe; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam |
Step by step
- Confirm Florida's current requirements on the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR website — rules change.
- Submit the reciprocity/endorsement application to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR (application linked on this page).
- Arrange license verification from your current state.
- Be at least 18 and hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Not be a Florida resident at the time of application.
- Have obtained the out-of-state license by meeting that state's own education and examination requirements (not by reciprocity).
- Hold a valid, current, active license in good standing in the mutual-recognition state.
- Submit a certification of license history and complete an electronic fingerprint background check.
- Pay the fees ($62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately)) and allow No board-stated timeframe; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam.
Official links
Coming from a specific state?
Direction matters — these guides cover the exact move into Florida:
All 50 origin states
Frequently asked questions
Does my real estate license transfer to Florida?
Florida recognizes real estate licenses from 10 named states (Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, West Virginia). Licensees from those states apply to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR under the agreement — Mutual-recognition applicants skip the national exam and the 63-hour pre-license course; a 40-question Florida real estate law exam (30 of 40 correct to pass) is required. From any other state, you apply as a new applicant. Fee: $62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately).
Do I have to retake real estate exams in Florida?
Mutual-recognition applicants skip the national exam and the 63-hour pre-license course; a 40-question Florida real estate law exam (30 of 40 correct to pass) is required.
What does a Florida real estate license cost an out-of-state applicant?
$62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately) (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately).
How long does the Florida process take?
No board-stated timeframe; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam — No board-stated timeframe; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam.
Which states does Florida have real estate reciprocity with?
Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, West Virginia (10 states, verified 2026-07-21 against the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR). Licensees from all other states use the standard application.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
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