The Florida real estate exam is a mandatory step toward licensure, administered by a third-party vendor under the oversight of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Candidates must follow a specific sequence of logistical steps before scheduling and sitting for the test. Understanding these requirements is essential for locating an authorized testing center and securing an appointment.
Confirming Eligibility and Authorization
Candidates must satisfy mandatory prerequisites before scheduling the state examination. The initial requirement is completing the state-mandated 63-hour pre-licensing course for sales associates, which must be passed. The course must be from a Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) approved school, and the completion certificate remains valid for two years.
Next, an application for licensure must be submitted to the Florida DBPR, along with electronic fingerprints for a mandatory background check. Fingerprints are typically submitted through an authorized Livescan service provider. The DBPR reviews the application and background check, which takes approximately 10 to 30 days to process.
The final step before scheduling is receiving an Authorization Notice or Eligibility Letter from the state. This notification confirms the candidate has met all preliminary requirements and typically arrives via email. It includes a nine-digit Candidate ID number, which signals approval to proceed to the testing vendor’s scheduling portal. Without this official state approval and the Candidate ID, an appointment cannot be booked.
The Official Examination Administrator
The Florida DBPR has designated Pearson VUE as the official testing vendor to manage the administration and delivery of the state real estate examination. Pearson VUE is responsible for all logistical aspects, including maintaining physical testing sites and delivering the computer-based test. The vendor manages the scheduling system, collects the examination fee, and oversees the secure testing environment. Candidates must interact directly with the Pearson VUE system to select a location and secure their reservation.
Locating Testing Centers and Scheduling Your Exam
Once the Authorization Notice is received, candidates must navigate to the Pearson VUE website to access the scheduling portal. The state-provided Candidate ID number is used to verify eligibility and create an account. The scheduling process involves selecting the examination type, such as the Sales Associate or Broker exam, and paying the required fee.
Pearson VUE maintains a network of dedicated testing centers and may utilize temporary sites. Locations are available across major metropolitan areas of Florida, including Miami, Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. Candidates can search the website to view real-time availability and select a convenient location, date, and time. Appointments can often be made up to one day prior to the desired testing date, subject to seat availability.
Candidates should schedule their exam as soon as they receive authorization, especially during peak times, as reservations are first-come, first-served. Registration is finalized upon payment, and a confirmation email detailing the appointment is provided.
Exam Day Logistics and Required Identification
On the day of the examination, candidates must arrive at the designated testing center at least 30 minutes before the scheduled appointment time. This early arrival allows time for check-in procedures and security protocols. Late arrivals may be refused admission and will forfeit their testing fee.
A strict identification policy is enforced at all Pearson VUE testing centers. Candidates must present two forms of valid signature identification, and the names on both documents must exactly match the name used on the application submitted to the DBPR. One form must be a current, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. Student IDs, employment badges, and credit cards are not accepted as the primary photo identification.
Security procedures require that all personal belongings, including cell phones, notes, watches, food, and drinks, must be stored in a secure locker outside the testing room. The exam is administered on a computer system in a closed-book environment. Candidates are monitored by video and audio throughout the 3.5-hour test period. Candidates are provided with an on-screen calculator for computations.
Receiving Results and Post-Exam Requirements
Upon completing the computer-based examination, the results are provided immediately at the testing center. The electronic testing system allows for instantaneous scoring. Candidates who pass the exam, which requires a score of 75% or higher, receive their licensing application paperwork while still at the testing site.
Passing candidates must follow the instructions provided to activate their license, often by having a licensed broker complete the necessary steps. For candidates who do not pass the exam, a score report is provided that includes a numeric score and diagnostic information. These candidates must wait a minimum of 24 hours before they are permitted to reschedule their next attempt through the Pearson VUE system.