What to Expect in the Florida Real Estate License Background Check
If you're planning to become a licensed real estate agent in Florida, you probably expect to take a course, pass an exam, and submit an application. But there’s one step that often raises questions—and sometimes anxiety—for future agents: the background check.
For many aspiring professionals, this part of the process feels like a black box. What are they really looking for? Will a past mistake disqualify you? How long does it take? And what happens if something turns up?
In this guide, we’ll break it down so you know exactly what to expect and how to move through this step with clarity and confidence.
Why a Background Check Is Required for Florida Real Estate Licensing
In Florida, the real estate industry is regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) through the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). These entities are responsible for ensuring that licensed agents meet both educational and ethical standards.
That’s where the background check comes in. It's designed to:
- Protect the public from fraud or misconduct
- Evaluate an applicant’s honesty, trustworthiness, and character
- Ensure compliance with Florida statutes governing professional conduct
This step isn’t about punishing people with a past. It’s about making sure that real estate professionals—who often handle large financial transactions—can be trusted in their role.
When the Background Check Happens
Your background check is triggered when you submit your application for a real estate license through the DBPR. However, before that application can be reviewed, you’ll need to:
- Get fingerprinted by a state-approved provider
- Pay the associated fingerprinting fee
- Include your Social Security number and other personal information in your license application
Once your fingerprints are submitted electronically, they are sent directly to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for processing.
The DBPR uses the results to review your criminal history—if any exists.
What the DBPR Looks For
Many students worry they’ll be automatically disqualified if they’ve ever made a mistake in the past. In reality, not all criminal records are deal breakers. The DBPR and FREC evaluate:
- The nature of the offense (e.g., fraud, theft, violence)
- The date of the offense (more recent offenses carry more weight)
- Whether the offense was a felony or misdemeanor
- Whether it relates directly to real estate or financial misconduct
- Evidence of rehabilitation (completion of probation, letters of recommendation, clean record since)
The key is transparency. If you have a criminal history, you are required to disclose it on your application. Failing to do so can be worse than the offense itself.
What You Must Disclose
You must report any of the following, even if it happened a long time ago or was expunged:
- Felony convictions
- Misdemeanor convictions (especially involving theft, fraud, or moral turpitude)
- Military court-martials
- Criminal charges that resulted in a plea of no contest (nolo contendere)
- Past disciplinary action from other professional licenses—even in different states
Do not assume a sealed or expunged record means you can skip disclosure. If your fingerprint results reveal the offense, and it wasn’t listed on your application, that omission could be grounds for denial.
How Long Does the Background Check Take?
In most cases, the process takes 5 to 10 business days after your fingerprints are submitted. However, if your record has entries that require manual review, it can take longer—sometimes up to 30 days or more.
It’s best to complete your fingerprints as early as possible, ideally right after enrolling in your pre-license course. That way, any issues can be addressed before your exam results or license application are delayed.
What Happens If You Have a Criminal Record?
If your record includes something that raises concern, the DBPR may:
- Request additional documentation (e.g., court records, personal statement)
- Send your application to the Florida Real Estate Commission for review
- Ask you to appear at a FREC hearing (usually for serious or unclear cases)
The FREC considers factors such as the time since the offense, your overall conduct, and whether the offense reflects on your moral character. Many applicants with older, non-violent offenses have been approved—especially when they demonstrate honesty and rehabilitation.
How to Improve Your Chances of Approval
If you have a record and are concerned about the outcome, here are steps that can help:
- Be 100% honest on your application—omissions are worse than the offense
- Provide court records or disposition documents upfront if possible
- Write a personal statement that explains the situation, what you’ve learned, and how you’ve moved forward
- Gather letters of character from employers, instructors, or community leaders
- Show a clean record since the offense and any evidence of growth (education, volunteer work, stable employment)
Transparency, sincerity, and documentation go a long way in showing that you’re a trustworthy candidate.
What If Your Application Is Denied?
If the DBPR or FREC denies your license application, you’ll receive a formal letter explaining why. In most cases, you have the right to:
- Request an administrative hearing
- Submit additional evidence
- Reapply in the future, depending on the circumstances
Denial is not always the end of the road. Many applicants have reapplied after addressing the concerns or waiting a prescribed period.
Where to Get Help
Navigating the background check can feel intimidating, but you don’t have to do it alone. One of the best ways to approach the process with confidence is to enroll in a real estate school that offers guidance beyond the classroom.
At Florida Real Estate School, our pre-license and post-license courses are fully online, state-approved, and designed to prepare you for every step of the licensing journey—including how to interact with the DBPR.
Our support team is familiar with the application and fingerprinting process and can answer questions about timing, documents, and disclosure so you feel informed and prepared.
Conclusion: Know Before You Apply
The background check is a necessary step in becoming a licensed real estate professional in Florida. While it may feel stressful, knowing what to expect—and how to handle it—can eliminate confusion and keep your licensing process on track.
If you’re just getting started, consider beginning with Florida Real Estate School’s 63-hour pre-license course, where you'll not only gain the knowledge to pass your exam but also get clarity on the administrative steps involved.
Licensing is more than passing a test—it’s about meeting the standards of a profession built on trust. With the right preparation, you can move forward with confidence, no matter what your past may hold.