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Florida Real Estate License Renewal: March 31 and September 30 Deadlines

By Bryan Berns, Managing Broker · Last updated October 12, 2026

Florida real estate licenses renew every two years and expire on either March 31 or September 30, depending on when you were first licensed. To renew, complete your education (45 hours of post-licensing for your first renewal, then 14 hours of continuing education each cycle) and pay the renewal fee by midnight on your expiration date. Miss it, and your license becomes Involuntary Inactive the next day.

The next big deadline is March 31, 2027. Thousands of Florida licenses expire on that date.

Which date is yours?

Your expiration date is on your DBPR license record at myfloridalicense.com. It does not change when you switch brokers, and it moves forward two years each time you renew. If your license shows March 31, 2027, your next renewal after that will be March 31, 2029.

What you need to renew

Your situation Education due by expiration date Fee
First renewal, sales associate 45-hour post-licensing course Renewal fee
First renewal, broker 60-hour post-licensing course Renewal fee
Every renewal after that 14 hours of continuing education Renewal fee
Current, Inactive license 14 hours of continuing education Renewal fee

The 14 hours are 3 hours of Core Law, 3 hours of Ethics and Business Practices, and 8 hours of specialty education. DBPR sets the renewal fee; check MyFloridaLicense.com for the current amount.

The renewal timeline

When What to do
6 months before Check your expiration date and your education status
90 days before Enroll in your course
60 days before Watch for DBPR's renewal notice by email
30 days before Finish your coursework so the school can report it
By the expiration date Pay the renewal fee through your DBPR online account
After renewal Confirm your new expiration date shows two years later

If your deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, school guidance says it moves to the next business day, but do not count on it. Finish early.

What happens if you miss it

Time after expiration Status What it takes to come back
Day 1 Involuntary Inactive You cannot practice or be paid
Up to 12 months Involuntary Inactive 14 hours of education, missed renewal fees, late fee
12 to 24 months Involuntary Inactive 28-hour reactivation course and exam, fees
More than 24 months Null and void Requalify, unless granted hardship reinstatement within 6 months

New sales associates face a harder rule: if post-licensing is not complete by the first expiration date, the license becomes null and void immediately, with no Involuntary Inactive grace period.

Renewal checklist

Special situations

You already missed your deadline. Do not panic. Your license is Involuntary Inactive, not gone. If you are within 12 months of the expiration date, finish 14 hours of the required education and pay the fees. Act before the 12-month mark, because after that the requirement becomes a 28-hour course with an exam.

You are a new agent who has not started post-licensing. Start now. The 45-hour course takes real time, and there is no grace period for post-licensing; a missed first renewal means a null and void license.

Your license is Current, Inactive. It still has to be renewed with continuing education. Many inactive licensees forget this because they are not working, and slip into Involuntary Inactive.

You plan to switch brokers around renewal time. Your renewal is tied to your license, not your broker, so you can renew and switch in either order. Just do not let the move distract you from the deadline.

Renewal is a good time to review your brokerage

Because renewal comes with a fresh look at your costs, many agents review their brokerage at the same time. If your current setup includes Realtor dues and MLS fees you rarely use, a lower-cost brokerage could save you more than $1,000 a year. If your license is Current, Inactive, renewal is also a natural time to activate it so it can start earning referral fees.

Frequently asked questions

When does my Florida real estate license expire?

On March 31 or September 30, every two years. Your exact date is on your DBPR license record.

Can I renew my Florida license late?

If you miss the deadline, your license becomes Involuntary Inactive. You can reactivate it within 24 months by completing the required education and paying fees.

Does switching brokers change my expiration date?

No. Your expiration date stays the same regardless of which broker you are with.

Do I need to renew an inactive license?

Yes. A Current, Inactive license must still be renewed, with continuing education, every two years.

How do I renew my Florida real estate license?

Complete the required education with an approved school, then pay the renewal fee through your online DBPR account before your expiration date.

Sources

About the author: Bryan Berns, Managing Broker, Firelight RealtyFlorida Real Estate License BK3618997. Bryan Berns is the Managing Broker of Firelight Realty, a Florida brokerage based in Longwood that serves agents statewide.

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.