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As a property manager in Florida, your duties may include finding and screening prospective tenants for a property, negotiating the lease terms. You could also be responsible for rent collection, property inspection, maintenance, repair, providing updates, and communicating with the property owner.
To become a property manager in Florida, you need to obtain a real estate salesperson license from the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). This requires you to be at least 18 years old, complete 63 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associates Exam, and work with a licensed property management company. You also need to submit an application and a $83.75 license fee to the FREC.
The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is responsible for issuing real estate licenses and they also have the duty to ensure public interest can be safeguarded.
If you are interested in knowing about the property management career in Florida, this is the guide for you. You’ll learn about the steps to become a property manager in Florida income updates, career outlook, and FAQ about this profession.
But before we start, I want to give a brief disclaimer. This post is not intended as legal advice or state/federal property management training. It is for general information only. Please always follow your State laws and best practices.
When choosing a real estate school, I prefer one where you could take the courses online. This way, you could study at your own pace whenever and wherever. The CE Shop is a trustworthy real estate education provider. You may click here to see whether they offer pre-licensing course in your state. (**)
7 Steps to to Become a Property Manager in Florida
Step 1: Meet the eligibility requirement
- At least 18 years of age
- Have a valid Social Security Number
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent
Step 2: Complete the real estate pre-licensing courses
You need to take 63 hours of pre-license sales associates courses from an approved provider.
The curriculum would include real estate license law, commission rules, authorized relationships, duties, disclosure, brokerage activities, guides for salespersons, penalties and procedures, property rights, title, deeds and ownership restriction, legal descriptions.
Note that these courses are only valid for two years after you complete them.
Step 3: Go through background check
Since the FL Real Estate Commission needs to protect the public interest, they will conduct a background check on all real estate license applicants.
To do so, you must submit fingerprints through the approved Livescan Service Provider. The ORI number for real estate associates and brokers, is FL920010Z.
You should do so at least five days before submitting the application. Then they would send the results to the Florida Department.
Although the fee varies among different vendors, it is usually around $50.
Step 4: Submit an application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
You need to complete the Application for Sales Associate License Form # DBPR RE 1.
In addition to the application, you also need to provide.
- Application fee of $83.75
- Cheque payable to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- If you or your spouse is a military veteran or a Florida National Guard member, then you may be eligible for a fee waiver/ reimbursement/fee discount. For more info, please visit DBPR Military Services
- Electronic fingerprints
- Supporting legal documents
- Proof that you have fulfilled the pre-licensing education requirement
After you have prepared all the necessary documentation, you could mail them to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation 2601 Blair Stone Road, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0783.
Alternatively, you could apply through the online services on their website.
Step 5: Pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam
This examination is to test your knowledge and understanding of real estate law, principle and practices, and mathematics.
The Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam consists of 100 multiple choice questions, and you’ll have 3.5 hours to write it. The required passing score is 75 points. This is a computerized exam administered by Pearson-Vue. The exam fee is $36.75.
After you pass the exam, the exam administrator will send your grade information to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Within 48 hours, your license number should be ready.
The Colibri is the online school that I like. Their Exam Prep have helped thousands of students pass their exam on the first try. They even have a “Pass or Don’t Pay” Guarantee. That’s why confident they are with their program. You may click here to view their exam prep. (**)
Step 6: Work for a Property Management Company
After you pass the exam, you must work with a property management company who holds the real estate broker license in Florida. They are the one who would sponsor your real estate license.
However, not all real estate brokers provide property management services to their clients. Most of the brokers focus only on the buy-sell side of the business. So make sure you find one that specializes in property management in Florida.
Step 7: Maintain the Florida Real Estate Salesperson License
All real estate licensees must renew their license every 24 months. The best is to do so through the FL Department online services.
On the first renewal, you will complete 45 hours of Florida Salesperson post-licensing courses. This needs to be done within 24 months of getting the initial real estate license.
For subsequent renewals, you will take at least 14 hours of Continuing Education.
All these education requirements ensure you are staying current with the updated real estate rules, laws and regulations. It is essential to keep up with the best practices in the industry.
To avoid having interruption to your real estate practice and late fees, don’t wait until the last minute to renew your license.
A Quick Table Summary of Becoming a Property Manager in Florida
| Eligibility | Education | Exam | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citizen of the United States or lawfully admitted alien At least 18 years of age Have a valid Social Security Number Hold a high school diploma | 63 hours of pre-licensing course 45 hours of post-licensing course within 24 months of obtaining license 14 credit hours of continuing education every 24 months | 3.5 hours 100 multiple-choice questions Required passing score is 75 | Pre-licensing courses around $307 Exam fee $36.75 Application fee $83.75 |
FAQ on property management career in Florida
How much does it cost to become a property manager in Florida?
It costs approximately $477.5 to become a property manager in Florida. This includes the expenses to obtain a Florida real estate salesperson license. Here is the breakdown:
- 63 hours of pre-licensing courses with exam prep – $307
- Exam fee – $36.75
- Application fee – $83.75
- Fingerprinting fee – $50
Although the exam prep not mandatory, you may want to invest in it. It can increase your chance of passing the exam on the first try so that you don’t need to waste time and money in retaking it.
How long does it take to become a property manager in Florida?
It takes approximately four months to become a property manager in Florida. But it also depends on the time it takes you to complete the pre-licensing course, exam, background check, application, and get sponsorship by an actively licensed Florida real estate broker.
Can you become a property manager with a felony in Florida?
An applicant with a felony may not obtain a real estate license in becoming a property manager if the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) determines that the offense is severe. They would typically be more alarmed on incidents that impact the applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, character, and integrity.
What is the nature of the crime? Does it have anything to do with the honesty, truthfulness, and reputation of the applicant? Is the applicant currently under probation or parole? All these are factors that may affect a real estate license application.
The FREC will evaluate each case independently. They may also require you to provide further documents and explanation about the incident.
But don’t get discouraged as everyone has a past. The most important is that you can demonstrate that you will serve the public in a fair, honest, and open manner.
Here’s an article that covers how to apply for a real estate license with a felony record. In there, you’ll find practical ideas which could help your application.
Do you need a license to become a community association manager?
Yes, you need to get a Florida Community Association Manager license for providing management services for:
- An association with 10 or more units;
- An association with a budget of $100,000 or more
To get a Florida Community Association Manager License, you must be at least 18 years of age and go through a background check. You also need to complete 18 hours of pre-licensing education, pass the CAM exam, submit the CAM application and license fee.
Whom should I contact if have more questions about becoming a property manager in Florida?
You could contact the Florida Real Estate Commission:
- Division of Real Estate, 400 West Robinson Street, N801, Orlando, Florida 32801
- Telephone: 850.487.1395
- Facsimile: 850.488.8040
How much do property managers make in Florida?
Property managers in Florida make an average annual income of $95,486. It typically range between $82,892 and $109,855. (*) Your earning as a property manager would depend on your skills, knowledge and experience in managing the properties. The type and number of real estate in your managing portfolio may also affect your compensation.
At the beginning phase of your property management career, you could be working as an assistant for a property manager. So your earning could be limited at that time.
But once you have developed the necessary skillset and demonstrated your ability to work independently, there should be a significant improvement to your earning.
(*) Source: Salary.com Dec 28, 2020
Practical tips to build a property management career in Florida
Tip#1: Obtain the Florida real estate license
Although there are certain activities you may perform without a real estate license, the things you can do are very limited.
Once you have a real estate salesperson license, you may work under a licensed real estate broker in providing key components of property management. For example, rent, list, negotiate property rental agreement, rents collection.
If you want to move up in the field, getting a Florida real estate salesperson license is a “must”.
If you are reading up to this point, I bet you must be interested in getting a real estate license. Your first step is to complete the pre-licensing courses. You should select one that has an excellent reputation and long-term track record of satisfying students. The Colibri is exactly that! You may click here to check it out yourself. (**)
Tip#2: Network with other real estate professionals
You may consider joining the National Association of Residential Property Managers (NARPM). This allows you to connect with other property managers, thus learn from their valuable experience and share ideas with one another. You will also find updates on the housing markets, changes to the laws and regulations.
Another group you may consider is the Florida REALTORS. It consists of mostly real estate salespeople and brokers. If you plan to run your own property management company, this can be a great referral source for your business.
Tip#3: Start your own property management company
Rather than working for someone else, you may consider getting a real estate broker license and start a property management company.
This allows you to hire other property managers with a real estate license. Thus, lead to a scalable business model.
However, running a company is very different from working as an employed property manager. You need to figure out all the different aspects of the business, such as marketing, branding, prospecting, hiring, training, and accounting.
The expenses will also be a lot higher. In addition to the broker license, you also need to account for business insurance, staff’s salary and benefits, office rent, furniture, office supplies, software, many more.
To obtain a real estate broker license in Florida, you must:
- Be at least 18 years and have a valid SSN;
- Have at least 24 months of active real estate sales experience in the past 5 years;
- Hold a high school diploma or equivalent;
- Complete 72 hours of pre-licensing courses from an approved education provider;
- Pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Exam;
- Provide fingerprints to a LiveScan service provider;
- Submit an application and a $91.75 fee to the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)
- Complete the 60 hours of post-licensing courses;
- Maintain the broker license
Here’s a complete guide on how to set up a property management company in Florida.
Tip#4: Keep up to date with the real estate laws and best practices
Property managers are constantly tasked with new responsibilities and challenges. With the rise of online rental applications, environmental health and safety requirements, it’s important for property managers to be up-to-date on what their renters are looking for in a home.
You may also consider taking the following courses to equip yourself with the property management knowledge. They are offered by Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM). IREM is an affiliate of the National Association of REALTORS®.
- Managing Residential Properties (**)
- Managing Commercial Properties (**)
- Managing Condominium and Homeowners Associations (**)
Even though they are not part of the pre-license education requirement, your enhanced knowledge will help to set you apart from others in the industry.
I hope you find this career guide helpful. If so, please share it! Thanks!
(**) Affiliate Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you. Our company, JCHQ Publishing will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking on the link. Please understand that we include them based on our experience or the research on these companies or products, and we recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions we make if you decide to buy something through the links. Please do not spend any money on these products unless you feel you need them or that they will help you achieve your goals.
Disclaimer: The information in this post is for general information only, and not intend to provide any advice. They are subjected to change without any notice, and not guaranteed to be error-free. Some of the posts on this site may contain views and opinions from individual not related to JCHQ Publishing. They do not necessarily reflect our view or position.
Reference:
- Candidate Information Booklet for the Real Estate Broker Examination (source)
- Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) (source)
- Salary.com – Property Manager in Florida (source)
