Four-Year Real Estate Degree: Florida Education Exemptions

A four-year degree or higher in real estate from an accredited institution of higher education may exempt an applicant or licensee from Florida pre-licensing and post-licensing education requirements.

DBPR determines whether your degree qualifies. Have DBPR review the official transcript before you skip, buy, or begin a required course. TSRE cannot approve the exemption.

What the qualifying degree may waive

Section 475.17(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the initial education-course and post-licensing requirements do not apply to a person who has received a four-year degree or higher in real estate from an accredited institution.

After DBPR approval, this may include:

• the 63-hour sales associate pre-licensing course;
• the 72-hour broker pre-licensing course;
• the 45-hour sales associate post-licensing requirement; and
• the 60-hour broker post-licensing requirement.

What does not automatically qualify

A degree is not automatically covered merely because it is related to business or property. Degrees in business administration, finance, law, construction, property management, or another subject do not automatically satisfy the statutory language.

DBPR must decide whether the credential is a qualifying four-year or higher degree in real estate from an accredited institution.

What the degree does not waive

The exemption does not by itself remove the other licensing requirements. Depending on the license and application route, the applicant may still need to:

• be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent;
• provide a United States Social Security number;
• submit the state application and fee;
• complete electronic fingerprinting and background review;
• meet the broker-experience requirement, when applying as a broker;
• pass the applicable Florida state examination; and
• complete the applicable activation and renewal steps.

The degree exemption also does not automatically waive the regular 14-hour continuing-education requirement after the first renewal.

How to request DBPR review

1. Request an official transcript from the institution that awarded the degree.
2. Follow the current DBPR instructions for submitting the transcript with or in support of the application.
3. Ask DBPR to confirm in writing which pre-licensing and post-licensing requirements are marked exempt.
4. Keep the determination and monitor the DBPR account before any examination or renewal deadline.

Do not rely on the diploma title alone. An official transcript and DBPR review may be required.

Need more personalized support?

For exemption eligibility, contact DBPR at 850-487-1395 or use the DBPR contact form. After DBPR confirms your route, call TSRE at (813) 333-2676 or submit a support ticket for help selecting a course or exam-preparation option.

Official references

• DBPR education and exemption information
• Section 475.17, Florida Statutes
• Rule 61J2-3.008: Pre-Licensing Education
• Rule 61J2-3.012: Equivalency for Prelicensing Education

References checked October 20, 2026.