Florida has real estate license reciprocity with Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Nebraska, Rhode Island, and West Virginia. Nonresidents can skip pre-licensing, pass a 40-question law exam, and must keep post-license education up to date.
If you’re licensed in any of these, you can skip Florida’s full pre-licensing course but you must pass a 40-question Florida-specific real estate law exam. You also need to live outside Florida when you apply and keep your home-state license active.
Whether you’re looking to expand into Florida’s vacation home market, make your license more portable for referrals, or handle second-home clients, mutual recognition can be a smart move.
But remember: you still need a Florida broker relationship to stay compliant, plus you’re responsible for post-license education and continuing ed, no skipping those steps.
At Realty Hub, we’ve designed our 100% commission flat-fee brokerage model to make holding a Florida license as simple and cost-effective as possible. No franchise fees, no hidden costs, just the flexibility to keep more of what you earn while staying compliant in every state you work.
If you want clear steps, hidden tips, and insider pitfalls to avoid, keep reading.
Quick Answer: Florida’s Reciprocity States
Here’s the full list of states that have a mutual recognition agreement with Florida:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Nebraska
- Rhode Island
- West Virginia
If you hold an active real estate license in good standing in any of these states, and you don’t live in Florida, you can apply to skip the 63-hour Florida pre-licensing course.
Instead, you’ll need to pass the 40-question Florida-specific law exam, prove your license history, and complete post-license and continuing education to stay compliant.
Mutual recognition is popular for agents looking to cover high-demand vacation and relocation markets in Florida’s coastal areas. But don’t assume this makes you a Florida Broker by default, Florida grants you an equivalent license to what you already hold.
How Florida’s Mutual Recognition Really Works
Let’s clear up a myth: mutual recognition does not mean you can practice real estate in Florida without a Florida broker.
- Florida requires you to affiliate with a Florida brokerage that sponsors your license, and that’s non-negotiable.Â
- If you got your original license by reciprocity in your home state, you won’t qualify here.
- Florida only recognizes original education and exam credits.
- You’ll also need an up-to-date certificate of license history showing you’re active and in good standing, and that means no expired or inactive status back home.
Do You Need to Live in Florida?
Here’s what trips up a lot of agents: you must be a nonresident at the time you apply.
If you move to Florida before submitting your mutual recognition application, you’ll lose your eligibility and have to complete the full pre-licensing course and state exam instead.
Think of it this way: mutual recognition is Florida’s way of trusting your out-of-state experience, but only if you’re truly practicing out-of-state. If you decide to move here later, that’s fine, just get your license first.
Also, keep your home license active and in good standing. Letting it lapse can cancel your Florida status, too. A lot of agents lose reciprocity because they forget that detail.
What States Can You Use Your Florida License In?
This one trips up a lot of new agents: holding a Florida license doesn’t automatically mean you can practice real estate in other states. Florida’s mutual recognition works one way, it recognizes certain out-of-state licenses, but it doesn’t grant outward reciprocity to other states.
If you’re a Florida Sales Associate or Broker and want to operate in Georgia, for example, Georgia may allow recognition if you meet their requirements, but you’ll need to verify their rules.
Always check the other state’s licensing laws and any local brokerage or MLS requirements.
And don’t confuse mutual recognition with license portability or co-brokerage agreements. Mutual recognition lets you skip some steps in getting licensed. Portability or co-brokerage lets you handle out-of-state transactions under certain conditions, but those are separate topics entirely.
Stay compliant: always affiliate with a broker in each state where you actively work.
Pro Tips for Expanding Your Business
Mutual recognition can be more than just a legal shortcut, it can open up serious earning potential if you do it right:
- Use your Florida license to tap high-demand vacation rental and second-home markets. Out-of-state buyers trust agents who know both sides of the transaction.
- Consider a referral-only approach if you want passive income without extra overhead, some part-time agents do this to keep costs low while maintaining an active license.
- Double-check your marketing: if you’re on a real estate team working across state lines, confirm you’re displaying your license properly for each state.
- Flat-fee, 100% commission brokerages like Realty Hub keep your multi-state licensing costs lean, no hidden franchise fees, no surprise desk charges, and no forced upsells.:
Is Florida’s Reciprocity Worth It?
If you’re a nonresident agent eyeing Florida’s strong relocation and vacation markets, mutual recognition can be a smart, low-cost way to expand your reach.
It’s especially useful for part-time agents, multi-state teams, and investor-focused agents who want to handle deals legally without repeating full coursework.
Keep in mind: the costs and compliance don’t stop once you get approved. You’ll still need to maintain your home license, pass the Florida law exam, complete post-license education, and affiliate with a Florida broker.
For some, it makes more sense to simply get a new Florida Sales Associate license, especially if you plan to move here full-time. Either way, the math is simple: choose a brokerage model that doesn’t drain your commission with unnecessary splits or fees. That’s where we come in.
Ready to Keep 100% of Your Commission?
If you’re exploring Florida license reciprocity, chances are you’re tired of giving away a big cut of your hard-earned commission just to expand your reach.
Here’s where Realty Hub fits in:
- Low overhead: We’re a flat-fee brokerage, just $100 per year and $100 per transaction. No franchise fees, no desk fees, no surprises.
- Support when you need it: We handle your compliance questions and keep you on track with post-license and continuing education reminders, but we won’t micromanage your business.
- Built for independent agents: If you want freedom, efficiency, and a broker who won’t babysit you, we’re the right fit. If you need daily hand-holding, mandatory sales meetings, or promised leads, we’re not.
With Realty Hub, you can expand your business into Florida without sacrificing your freedom or your paycheck. That’s what we mean by support when you need it, independence when you don’t.
If you’re ready to keep 100% of your commission and stay fully compliant, check out how our flat-fee model works, and see if Realty Hub is your next smart move.
FAQs About Florida License Reciprocity
Is the Florida law exam difficult?
It’s 40 questions focused on Florida real estate law, shorter than the full 100-question licensing exam. But don’t underestimate it. Many agents fail because they assume general experience is enough. We recommend a dedicated prep course focused on Florida law.
What happens if I fail the mutual recognition exam?
You can retake it. Most agents who fail the first time didn’t prep for the unique details of Florida’s laws on disclosures, escrow, and licensing compliance.
Can I keep my license active in both states?
Yes, and you should. If your home license goes inactive, your Florida recognition goes with it. Make sure you renew both on time and meet all post-license and continuing education deadlines.
Do I still need continuing education in Florida?
Absolutely. Mutual recognition doesn’t exempt you from post-license requirements (45 hours for Sales Associates, 60 for Brokers) or your biannual continuing education.
How do I submit my license history to Florida?
Request a certificate of license history from your current state’s licensing board and include it in your DBPR application. Without this, your mutual recognition won’t be approved.
Is mutual recognition the same as license portability?
No. Mutual recognition lets you get licensed faster in Florida. Portability rules allow limited cross-state deals under certain conditions, but don’t assume they’re interchangeable.
