Frequently Asked Questions

  • Yes, you can. You do not have to be a Florida resident or U.S. citizen to obtain a Florida real estate license.

  • • Take and complete the 63-hour Pre-Licensing Course at the Watson School of Real Estate in person or online

    • Pass 63-hour Pre-Licensing Course End-of-Course exam with a grade of 70 or higher

    • Pass the state license exam with a grade of 75 or higher

    • Complete 45-hours of Post-License education before first license renewal (18-24 months): 14-hours of continuing education every 2 years thereafter

    • Applicant must be 18 years of age or older

    • Applicant must have a high school diploma or equivalent

    • Applicant must be able to pass a background check

    • You must have a valid Social Security number

  • The Department of Business & Professional Regulation (DBPR) will determine whether your background will prevent you from licensure. When you submit your state application through myfloridalicense.com, you will need to submit any documents pertaining to your record. DBPR will then either approve you or deny your application. For students with a criminal background, we recommend that they wait for DBPR approval prior to enrolling in our school.

  • Students that are unsuccessful on their first End of Course Exam attempt will need to wait 30 days before they are eligible to retest. A student is permitted two attempts to test within a one-year period. If a student is unsuccessful on their second attempt, the student will need to retake the entire course again before being eligible to retest again.

  • The fee includes instructor course, books, class materials, and end-of-course exam.

  • If you choose to attend the Watson School of Real Estate, you’re not obligated to affiliate with Watson Realty Corp. nor are you automatically hired.

  • The DBPR now requires fingerprinting to be in electronic format. To make an appointment, call 877-238-8232. We also provide mobile fingerprinting service for the in-classroom sessions. You can also visit DBPR’s website for a state-wide list of electronic fingerprint vendors.

  • A Sales Associate license is the initial license needed to start working in the real estate field.

    A Broker’s license is only attainable once you have been an active Sales Associate for at least 24 months within the last five-year period.

  • Possibly. Please contact your school administrator at (844) 448-7495 for eligibility.

  • Upon successful completion of your 63-hour Pre-License course, you will receive a course completion certificate. Your course completion certificate is valid for two years from the final exam date. Your state application is also good for two years. Whichever is completed first will be when your two-year period begins.

  • There is not a limit on exam attempts inside the two-year window.

  • To get a license, there are four fees involved:

    1. School Tuition (Watson Tuition) $349*

    2. Fingerprinting (Using the classroom vendor) $55 - $83*

    3. State Application $84

    4. State Testing Center Fee $57.75

    Total: $546 - $574*

    *Fees subject to change without notice

  • Pre-Licensing students are permitted to miss up to 8 hours of class time. If a student misses more than 8 hours, they are only allowed to make up time if the absence is due to a student or family illness, according to state regulations. They must make up the hours and specific missed units within 30 days of their course's final exam date. To coordinate making up missed hours, please contact the office at (844) 448-7495. If a student does not make up their missed hours within 30 days, the student will need to retake the course at no additional cost within one year of the original course date.

  • We recommend that students bring materials to take notes with such as pens, pencils, and highlighters. Textbooks will be provided on the first day of class.

  • Upon passing your state exam you will be eligible to hang your license with a broker, then you are able to practice real estate.

  • DBPR is an acronym for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. For more information visit myfloridalicense.com.

  • FREC is an acronym for Florida Real Estate Commission. For more information visit What is FREC.

  • 14 hours of Commission-approved instruction, every two years, in the classroom, online, or by correspondence. Commission prescribed Core Law and Ethics must be included.

  • When a license is not renewed at the end of the license period, it is involuntary inactive. If voluntary inactive for more than 2 years, it automatically expires and becomes null and void. If a licensee applies to the Department to be placed on inactive status and has paid a fee, competed their CE, that is voluntary inactive.