Keeping Your Florida Real Estate License After You Move Out of State
Yes, you can keep your Florida real estate license after you move to another state. Florida does not require licensees to live in Florida. Notify the Florida Real Estate Commission of your change of residency and follow the requirements for nonresident licensees (confirm timing with DBPR), keep renewing with continuing education, and stay registered with a Florida broker if you want to earn referral fees.
What to do when you move
A resident licensee who becomes a nonresident notifies the Commission of the change and complies with nonresident requirements. Confirm the exact steps and timing with DBPR or MyFloridaLicense.com.
| Requirement | What to do |
|---|---|
| Notify the Commission | Report your change of residency within 60 days through DBPR |
| Nonresident forms | File any nonresident forms DBPR requires, such as an irrevocable consent to service of process |
| Address | Update your mailing and email address on your DBPR account |
| Continuing education | Keep completing 14 hours every two years |
| Broker | Stay with a Florida broker to remain active |
Nonresident license applicants file an irrevocable consent form allowing lawsuits related to their Florida real estate activity to be served through the Division of Real Estate. Confirm with DBPR which forms apply to you after a move.
Why keep your Florida license?
- Florida referral income. Friends and family moving to or within Florida can become referrals, paid through your Florida broker.
- Out-of-state referrals. Florida brokers may pay referral fees to brokers in other states, and receive fees from them. Your network in your new state can send you Florida business.
- You might come back. Keeping the license avoids retaking the course and exam later.
- Investment property. You can earn a commission on your own Florida purchases.
What you can and cannot do from another state
| Activity | Allowed? |
|---|---|
| Refer Florida buyers and sellers to Florida agents | Yes, through your Florida broker |
| Receive referrals from agents in your new state | Yes, broker to broker |
| Represent clients in your new state using your Florida license | No; you need that state's license |
| Represent clients in Florida transactions | Yes, if your broker allows and you can serve them properly |
| Buy Florida property for yourself and earn a commission | Yes, with disclosure and broker approval |
Getting licensed in your new state
Some states recognize part of your Florida education or experience; others require a full course and exam. Florida has written agreements with some states for comparable nonresident licensing. Check your new state's real estate commission for its rules on applicants already licensed in Florida.
Keeping your Florida license affordable from afar
Paying Florida Realtor dues and MLS fees from another state rarely makes sense. Most out-of-state licensees keep their Florida license active with a low-fee brokerage that does not require board or MLS membership and earn referral fees when opportunities come up.
Snowbirds and part-year residents
If you split the year between Florida and another state, your legal residency determines whether the nonresident rules apply. If you change your legal residency away from Florida, notify the Commission (confirm timing with DBPR). If Florida remains your legal residence, nothing changes for your license.
Checklist for moving out of Florida
- [ ] Notify the Commission of your new residency within 60 days.
- [ ] File any required nonresident forms.
- [ ] Update your address and email on DBPR.
- [ ] Note your next renewal date and continuing education due.
- [ ] Choose a Florida broker that does not require residency, board or MLS.
- [ ] Tell your Florida network you can still help, through referrals.
Example: earning from your new home state
James moved from Orlando to Charlotte, North Carolina, and kept his Florida license active with a low-fee Florida broker.
- A neighbor in Charlotte mentions she is retiring to Sarasota. James refers her to a Sarasota agent he trusts. His Florida broker signs the referral agreement, and when she closes on a $425,000 condo, James receives his share of a 25% referral fee through his Florida broker.
- His former coworker in Orlando decides to sell. James refers the listing to an Orlando agent and earns another fee.
- A friend asks for help buying in Charlotte. James cannot represent him with a Florida license, so he refers him to a North Carolina agent; the North Carolina broker can pay a referral fee to James's Florida broker.
None of this required Realtor dues, MLS access or living in Florida.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Florida to keep a Florida real estate license?
No. Florida licenses nonresidents. If you move away, notify the Commission and follow nonresident requirements (confirm timing with DBPR).
Can I earn Florida referral fees while living in another state?
Yes, as long as your Florida license is active with a Florida broker, which pays you.
Do I still need continuing education if I live out of state?
Yes. Florida's 14-hour continuing education requirement applies every two years regardless of where you live.
Can I use my Florida license to sell homes in my new state?
No. You need a license in the state where the property is located. You can refer those clients and earn a fee.
What happens if I do not notify Florida of my move?
Notify the Commission and confirm the nonresident requirements with DBPR promptly so your license stays in good standing.
Sources
This article is general information about Florida real estate licensing, not legal or tax advice. Licensing rules, regulatory requirements and fees change and vary by situation, and nothing here creates an attorney-client or broker-client relationship. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) or a Florida real estate attorney before you act.