Real Estate License from South Dakota to Florida: Does It Transfer? (2026)
Last verified: 2026-07-21 · source: Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR ↗
A real estate license transfers from South Dakota to Florida by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR, verify your South Dakota license, and meet Florida's endorsement requirements. 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.
Verify this exact pair in the checker
Same data, interactive — with share link and board links.
Verdict
Licensure by endorsement
Florida publishes no agreement covering South Dakota, but it does evaluate out-of-state licensees individually — so this move runs on Florida's endorsement judgment rather than a guarantee. The requirements below are what the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR commits to in writing; for anything discretionary (exam waivers, education credit), get the commission's answer in writing before you rely on it.
What changes, South Dakota → Florida
| South Dakota (current) | Florida (destination) | |
|---|---|---|
| Training hours | — | 63 |
| Application fee | $225 (Application Fee - Salesperson (reciprocal only) $225; plus a $50 DCI fingerprint fee and an approx. $98 state-portion exam fee payable to the testing company) | $62.75 (DBPR RE-1 state application fee; the PSI/testing-vendor exam fee and the electronic fingerprint fee are paid separately) |
| Processing time | Commission does not publish a processing-time estimate | No board-stated timeframe; the license is issued after DBPR reviews the application and the applicant passes the 40-question Florida law exam |
| Licensing authority | South Dakota Real Estate Commission (SDREC) / SD Department of Labor & Regulation | Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR |
The destination column is what you must satisfy — Florida sets the rules for this move.
Step by step
- Confirm Florida's current requirements on the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR website (linked below) — rules change.
- Submit the endorsement application to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR (application linked below).
- 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
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Does Florida accept a South Dakota real estate license?
A real estate license transfers from South Dakota to Florida by endorsement — there is no automatic reciprocity, but you do not start over. Apply to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) / DBPR, verify your South Dakota license, and meet Florida's endorsement requirements. 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.
Which exams will I take moving from South Dakota to 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 the move cost?
$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).
Can I keep selling in South Dakota after I'm licensed in Florida?
Yes — real estate licenses stack. Keep the South Dakota license active (renewals and CE continue separately) and you hold both; many border-market agents do exactly this.
Sources
Primary sources only — official boards and compact commissions. Data last verified 2026-07-21.
- Florida FREC — Mutual Recognition States (10-state list; 40-question law exam) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- Florida DBPR — RE-1 Sales Associate Application (application fee $62.75; mutual recognition section) ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Real Estate Commission - Non-Resident Licensing Information ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Real Estate Commission - License Types and Requirements ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
- SD Real Estate Commission - Fee Schedule ↗ (accessed 2026-07-21)
Reviewed by Billy Reiner, Editor · verified against primary sources 2026-07-21
How we verify · All sources · spot an error? [email protected]