You can’t earn commissions or sell homes with an inactive real estate license in Florida, but you can earn referral income legally.
If you’ve earned a Florida real estate license but haven’t been active in a while, or you’re considering stepping back, you’re not alone. I’ve talked to countless agents in that exact position: experienced professionals who still value their license but don’t want the full-time grind, the MLS dues, or the pressure of hitting sales quotas.
So what can you actually do with an inactive license?
More than most agents realize.
You can’t sell homes or collect commission directly on real estate transactions, but you can:
- Legally earn referral income
- Maintain your license status without losing it
- Set yourself up to reenter the field whenever you’re ready.
The key is knowing how to work within Florida’s licensing structure and finding the right brokerage model that respects your time, your autonomy, and your long-term goals.
Learn in this guide how long your license can stay inactive, how to avoid losing it, and step-by-step options to keep earning without full-time work. Let’s break it down.
Inactive Status in Florida Isn’t the End, It’s a Strategic Pause
Voluntary vs. Involuntary Inactive: What’s the Difference?
As a broker, I see a lot of confusion around what it actually means to have an inactive license. Let’s clear it up.
If your Florida real estate license is marked voluntarily inactive, that means you chose to step back. Maybe you’re focusing on another career, raising a family, or just taking a breather. The key is: you’re still in good standing.
On the other hand, involuntary inactive status isn’t something you choose, it happens when you miss a license renewal deadline, skip continuing education, or fall out of compliance with DBPR rules. That status still gives you time to fix things, but there’s a clock ticking.
Key Deadlines That Matter
Once you go involuntary inactive, you’ve got up to 2 years to bring things back into compliance.
- During that time, you’ll need to complete the appropriate continuing education and file reactivation paperwork through the Florida DBPR.
If you wait longer than 2 years? Your license becomes null and void. You’d need to start over with pre-licensing education and the exam.
Switching statuses is easy. If you’re active and want to step back, you can file a voluntary inactive request through the DBPR’s online portal. You don’t need a broker’s permission, you’re in control.
If you’re coming back after a lapse, we’ve helped agents reenter the field through hardship reinstatements, especially after medical or financial setbacks. Florida allows licensees to petition for reinstatement if there’s a documented hardship, but you must act within six months of expiration.
What You Can (and Can´t) Legally Do with an Inactive License
What You Can’t Do
Obviously. You cannot sell real estate or collect a commission while your license is inactive. That includes showing homes, listing properties, negotiating deals, or earning any direct income tied to a real estate transaction.
You also won’t have access to your local MLS or electronic lockbox systems. Most associations restrict that access to active members in good standing.
That said, inactive doesn’t mean irrelevant.
What You Can Do
Here’s what’s still fully on the table for you as an inactive Florida agent:
- Earn referral income: You can legally get paid to refer buyers and sellers to licensed, active agents. If they close, you get a slice of their commission. Most referral fees fall between 20–35%, depending on the deal.
- Join a referral-only brokerage: At Realty Hub, we allow licensed agents to operate in a referral capacity without joining an MLS or paying REALTOR® dues. That means no board fees, no lockbox requirements, and no desk quotas.
- Use your license as an educational asset: Whether you’re mentoring, writing about real estate, or investing, having that license boosts your credibility.
- Potential tax benefits: Talk to a CPA, but in many cases, you can still deduct business-related expenses tied to your license status.
Become a Referral Agent to Earn Income Without Reactivating Your License
Referrals aren’t just “better than nothing.” For many of our agents, they’re a legitimate side income, without listings, open houses, or cold calls.
Is “Referral Only” Just a Gimmick?
Absolutely not. The term Referral Only was originally coined by the REALTOR® association, not the state, and it’s often misunderstood.
Here’s the reality: being in a referral role doesn’t mean your license is limited.
Real-Life Examples of Passive Income
We’ve seen agents in every stage of life thrive using this approach:
- Retired agents who no longer want to actively sell but still stay connected and earn.
- New parents who pause their business but keep referral income flowing.
- Military spouses and traveling professionals who live out of state yet keep their Florida license active and profitable.
- Investors and part-time agents who selectively refer out leads they can’t personally take.
It’s flexible, compliant, and proven, and we’ve built our infrastructure around making it seamless. Whether you want to step back or step sideways, referral income lets you keep earning without going all in.
How to Reactivate Your License (If You Choose To)
If you’re ready to return to active status, the path is straightforward, as long as you’re within that two-year window. At Realty Hub, we guide agents through this process every month, and we’ve streamlined it to take the guesswork out of getting back on track.
What You Need to Do
Your exact requirements depend on how long your license has been inactive:
- Less than 12 months? You’ll need to complete 14 hours of Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)-approved continuing education.
- Between 12–24 months? You’re required to complete 28 hours of reactivation education.
No matter your timeline, you must affiliate with a licensed Florida broker to become active again. That’s a hard requirement, Florida law doesn’t allow self-sponsorship.
Step-by-Step Reactivation Checklist
Here’s how to go from inactive to fully active:
- Complete the required education based on your time inactive.
- Submit Form RE-11 to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).
- Pay the reactivation and renewal fees through your DBPR account.
- Find a sponsoring broker and officially affiliate under them.
How Long It Takes
If everything is in order, reactivation typically takes 1–3 business days. We’ve had agents join Realty Hub, finish their CE, file the paperwork, and return to active status within a week, sometimes faster. Our support team is quick to respond and can help resolve hiccups with DBPR if they arise.
Questions You May Have About Inactive Licenses
Can I use my license to buy my own home?
Not unless your license is active. Even if you’re buying your own property, Florida requires you to be affiliated with a broker if you’re hoping to earn commission or use your license in the transaction. If your license is inactive, you’re treated like any member of the public.
Can I switch between active and inactive status freely?
Yes, you can. Agents regularly move between statuses based on life and business needs. Just remember to file the correct status change with DBPR and remain compliant with education and fee requirements during any inactive period.
Can I earn referral fees with an inactive license?
Yes, but only if you’re affiliated with a referral brokerage like Realty Hub. The state allows licensed (but inactive) agents to earn from referrals, but you must do so through a compliant structure. We’ve designed our referral program specifically for this, low cost, no association requirements, and full legal compliance.
Do I need to join a REALTOR® association to reactivate?
No. REALTOR® membership is not required to activate your license, it’s only necessary if you join a brokerage that mandates association membership (many do). At Realty Hub, we don’t. You decide whether to join an association, and you’re never forced into paying dues just to be active.
Ready to Turn Your Inactive License Into Income?
If you’re searching what to do as an inactive real estate agent in Florida, you’re likely facing one of two problems: you want to avoid losing your license, or you want to make money with your license, without going back to full-time real estate.
We’ve helped hundreds of agents solve both.
At Realty Hub, we built our model for agents who want flexibility, low overhead, and a way to stay in the game on their terms. Here’s how we make that possible:
What We Offer:
- A flat-fee referral program: Just $100/year and $100 per transaction. No commission splits, no hidden costs.
- No MLS or board membership required: Stay compliant without paying $1,000+ in dues.
- Fast reactivation support: If you’re ready to go active again, we’ll walk you through the process in days, not weeks.
Is This for You?
✅ This is for you if:
- You’re licensed in Florida and want to earn without selling full time.
- You’re retired, in a career pivot, moving out of state, or just need a break.
- You’re tired of handing over 20%–30% of your commission for services you don’t use.
❌ This isn’t for you if:
- You want a full-service, high-touch team that provides leads and mandatory training.
You expect a traditional office environment or weekly hand-holding.
What Your Life Looks Like with Realty Hub
Imagine keeping your license active without draining your bank account. You’re not paying for MLS or REALTOR® dues unless you choose to. You’re sending referrals, getting paid, and staying in control of your real estate career, without jumping through hoops or hitting sales quotas.
You’re not wasting your license. You’re using it to work smarter.If that sounds like the future you’re after, we’d love to help you get there. 👉 Join Realty Hub