Getting your real Estate agent License in South Florida can open numerous possibilities for some serious cash. You’ll be helping people to buy, sell and rent properties, and in places like Miami, there’s always plenty of high-rolling clients. If you’re looking to get into the industry, here’s what you have to do to get your real estate license in South Florida.

1. Meeting the necessary requirements
Before you can get started on your real estate license quest, you’ll have to make sure you meet the basic requirements for licensure. You have to be 18 years old, with a valid social security number, and a high-school diploma or GED.

2. Take a pre-license education class
The state of Florida requires you to complete 63 hours of pre-license courses before taking the exam. There are numerous options both online and in a classroom, and course work can be done in English or Spanish.

3. Submit the state license application
You’ll want to do this before beginning your class so you can avoid any delays that might occur after receiving your license. You can find the application online at the Department of Business and Professional Regulation website (http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/), and you can download a printable application there as well. On the application, you have to fill out questions relating to your identity, previous licenses, and other background questions. There’s an $89 fee to process the application.

4. Fingerprinting
As part of the licensure process, you’re going to have to undergo a background check that requires you to have your fingerprints taken by a state accredited “Livescan” vendor. It’s an easy process, taking only a few minutes. The most common way to get fingerprinted is through Pearson VUE, the same company that will administer your real estate exam. The fee for fingerprinting is $53.50 (Hey, nobody said getting your license would be cheap!)

5. Attend classes
Here’s where things get a little tough.In addition to the 63-hour pre-licensing course and final exam, there’s a 45-hour post-license course, which you have to complete within the first cycle of renewing your license.

When you finish the course, your school will give you a completion certificate. This will remain valid for two years, and you’ll have to hang on to this, as you’ll need it to register for your real estate license exam.

6. Take the exam
At this point, you’re on the last leg of getting your real estate license in South Florida. After studying carefully, you’ll sit for the state real estate exam. You’ll have three and a half hours to complete the exam, for which there’s a $31 fee.

Scheduling an exam isn’t difficult; you can even schedule your exam the day of. When you get to the exam appointment, you will need to show two forms of your identification, both containing your signature, and photo. Remember that certification from your pre-license education class? Now’s when you’ll need it.

The exam contains 100 multiple-choice questions and to pass you’ll have to earn a score of 75 or better. As soon as you complete the exam, you’ll receive an official score report.

7. Find your broker
Before you can officially activate your license, you’ll need to find a brokerage and a sponsoring broker who will supply a signed statement that verifies you are working under his or her guidance. You cannot operate independently as a real estate agent in the state of Florida. You can only work under a sponsoring broker. The broker will take a commission, typically 50% of all your deals, but they will also supply you with all the tools, training and, ideally, the best leads to be successful in your real estate career.

Soon after your broker submits the paperwork verifying sponsorship, you’ll receive your actual license card. With that in hand, you can get to work closing deals throughout South Florida. Rumor has it that Gloria Estefan’s looking for a new house!