How many questions are on the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate exam?

The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, which may include a small number of experimental pilot questions that do not count toward your final score.

What is the time limit for the FL-RES exam?

Candidates are given a total of 3.5 hours (210 minutes) to complete the 100-question examination.

What is the passing score for the Florida real estate exam?

You must score at least 75 out of 100 points (75%) to pass. The passing score is set by the provider and is the same for every candidate.

Am I allowed to use a calculator during the exam?

Yes. Calculators must be silent, hand-held, battery-operated, nonprinting, and without an alphabetic keypad. Standard four-function electronic calculators or financial calculators (e.g., HP 12, 17, 18, 19) are allowed. No information storage devices like PDAs or palm pilots.

Which section of the exam is the most important to study?

The 'Practice of Real Estate' domain accounts for 30% of the entire exam, making it the most heavily weighted section. This heavily covers Florida license law (Chapter 475, F.S.), FREC rules, and escrow management.

How much should I study for the FL-RES exam?

Most candidates benefit from approximately 80 to 100 hours of dedicated study time, beyond the required pre-licensing course, to adequately retain all Florida statutes, math calculations, and real estate principles.

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FL-RES · Syllabus & Exam Outline 2026

Florida Real Estate Sales Associate

Exam-aligned study paths covering the national real estate core plus Florida law — FREC rules, brokerage relationships, escrow handling, and homestead — in retention-first 15-minute topics.

Start studying free see the outline ↓

Questions: 100 multiple choice questions
Time limit: 3.5 hours
Passing score: 75%
Cost: $36.75
Format: multiple choice
Delivery: Computer-based testing at Pearson VUE testing centers
Calculator: Calculators must be silent, hand-held, battery-operated, nonprinting, and without an alphabetic keypad. Standard four-function electronic calculators or financial calculators (e.g., HP 12, 17, 18, 19) are allowed. No information storage devices like PDAs or palm pilots.
Prep time: ~100 hours

Exam overview

The Florida Real Estate Sales Associate (FL-RES) examination, administered by Pearson VUE on behalf of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), assesses the competency of prospective real estate professionals. This closed-book test measures your knowledge of foundational real estate principles, ethical practices, relevant Florida statutes (like Chapter 475, Part I), and essential mathematical calculations required to successfully operate within the industry. Mastering the test requires a thorough understanding of state-specific guidelines, spanning from authorized brokerage relationships to escrow rules and the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. While the curriculum is extensive, breaking the subjects into focused areas can streamline your preparation. Only Ever maps every domain to concise, 15-minute study topics, making it easy to pace your review, retain complex legal and financial concepts, and approach test day with confidence.

Exam domains & weighting

Each domain's share of the exam — study deepest where the weight is highest. Open one for how to study it and its objectives.

How to study this domain

Focus on differentiating between real and personal property and how each is conveyed. Pay special attention to Florida-specific concepts, such as homestead tax exemptions and protections, as well as tenancy by the entireties.

Key objectives

Real and Personal Property Conveyances
Legal Property Descriptions
Measuring Structures and Land
Liens, Easements, and Encumbrances
Surface, Subsurface, Air, and Water Rights
Basic Types of Ownership and Tenancy
Common-Interest, Trusts, and Business Ownership
Florida Homestead, Estates & Condominiums

Study this domain

Readiness self-check

Tick off everything you can confidently explain. Anything left unchecked is your study list — tap “Review” to jump straight into that domain.

Readiness

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Property Ownership

Review

Can you distinguish between real and personal property, and how each is legally transferred?
Are you able to identify the unique protections and tax exemptions provided under Florida Homestead law?

Land Use Controls

Review

Can you explain the difference between zoning ordinances (public control) and restrictive covenants (private control)?

Valuation and Market Analysis

Review

Do you know the specific scenarios where the Cost-Depreciation approach is preferred over the Sales Comparison approach?

Financing

Review

Can you list the essential elements of a promissory note and distinguish between a title theory and lien theory state?

Contracts

Review

Are you able to define what makes a contract valid, void, or voidable?

General Principles of Agency

Review

Can you name the exact duties a real estate licensee owes when acting as a Transaction Broker in Florida?

Property Disclosures

Review

Are you familiar with the timeline and requirements for the federal lead-based paint disclosure?

Leasing and Property Management

Review

Can you outline how a landlord must hold tenant security deposits under the Florida Residential Landlord and Tenant Act?

Transfer of Title

Review

Do you understand the difference between actual notice and constructive notice when recording a deed?

Practice of Real Estate

Review

Can you describe the seven-step complaint process and the disciplinary authority of the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)?
Are you able to outline the strict rules and timeframes for depositing escrow funds in Florida?

Real Estate Calculations

Review

Can you calculate the state documentary stamp tax on a deed given a specific purchase price?

Quick reference

Florida Regulatory & State Abbreviations

Common acronyms referenced throughout the Florida Real Estate Candidate Information Booklet and state statutes.

DBPR: Department of Business and Professional RegulationThe state agency overseeing professional licensing in Florida.
FREC: Florida Real Estate CommissionThe regulatory body that enforces real estate rules and discipline in Florida.
F.S.: Florida StatuteLegislatively enacted state laws (e.g., Chapter 475, F.S.).
F.A.C.: Florida Administrative CodeAdministrative rules created by state agencies (e.g., Chapter 61J2, F.A.C.).
BET: Bureau of Education & TestingThe DBPR bureau handling examination administration and special testing accommodations.

Frequently asked questions

Good to know

The exam is strictly closed-book. No reference materials or loose-leaf notes are permitted in the testing room.
A small number of experimental 'pilot test' questions may be included. These do not count toward your final score, and additional time is provided if they are included.
To be admitted, candidates must present two forms of valid signature identification (one being a government-issued photo ID).
You must bring your Certificate of Pre-licensure Education Completion to the testing center on the day of the exam. Failure to provide it will result in being turned away and forfeiting the exam fee.
Foreign language translation dictionaries are permitted for ESL candidates but must contain word-for-word or phrase translations ONLY (no definitions or formulas) and must be inspected by test center staff.

Reading isn’t remembering.

Florida tests its own license law heavily — Chapter 475, FREC rules, brokerage relationships, and escrow handling — and most prep blurs it with the national material.

Only Ever teaches the shared national core once, then layers Florida law as focused 15-minute topics — FREC licensing and discipline, brokerage relationships, escrow handling, homestead, and Florida disclosures.

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