Using Out-of-State Experience to Qualify for a Florida Broker License – TSRE Support Center

Qualifying real-estate experience from another state—or, in some cases, another country—may satisfy the experience portion of a standard Florida broker application. Experience credit is not the same as mutual recognition or five-year endorsement, and it does not automatically waive the Florida broker course or examination.

DBPR determines whether your experience qualifies. Ask DBPR to review the license history, dates, status, jurisdiction, and work relationship before you rely on the experience. TSRE cannot approve broker-experience credit.

The experience requirement

Section 475.17(2)(b), Florida Statutes, provides several ways to meet the broker-experience requirement. The most common out-of-state route is at least 24 active months during the preceding five years as a sales associate under one or more licensed brokers.

The statute also recognizes:

a current and valid sales associate license held for at least 24 months during the preceding five years while employed by a governmental agency for a salary and performing authorized real-estate duties; or
a current and valid broker license held for at least 24 months during the preceding five years in another state, U.S. territory or jurisdiction, or a foreign national jurisdiction.

What experience credit changes

Approved experience can satisfy the experience component of the Florida broker application. This can allow someone who was licensed and active elsewhere to apply for a Florida broker license without first spending 24 months as a Florida sales associate.

What experience credit does not change

Unless DBPR approves a separate exemption or special route, the applicant must still:

complete the FREC-approved 72-hour Florida broker pre-licensing course;
pass the full Florida broker state examination;
be at least 18 and hold a high-school diploma or equivalent;
provide a United States Social Security number;
submit the broker application, fee, fingerprints, and background information; and
satisfy any post-licensing and renewal requirements after licensure.

A qualifying four-year or higher degree in real estate may separately waive the broker pre-licensing course. That exemption requires DBPR review.

Required license history

The DBPR out-of-state-experience checklist requires a current certification of license history from the jurisdiction whose experience is being claimed. The certification should contain the initial examination type, current license status, disciplinary information, and the number of active or valid months during the relevant period.

Request the certification early and follow DBPR's current timing and submission instructions.

Which route should you ask DBPR about?

At least 24 active months in the preceding five years: ask about the standard Florida broker application using out-of-state experience.
At least five years holding a broker license that is active now or was active within the last two years: also ask whether broker endorsement applies.
Non-Florida resident with an equivalent active broker license from a current agreement state: also ask whether mutual recognition applies.

DBPR should identify the correct route. Do not choose only by comparing course costs or examination length.

Need more personalized support?

For experience 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 choosing the broker course or exam-preparation option.

Official references and application

References checked October 20, 2026.