For those looking to become a real estate agent in Florida, testing is back up and running on a limited basis after shutting down nationwide in mid-March.
Pearson Vue, which administers all Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation licensing exams, is operating some testing sites statewide for essential services, including real estate and real estate appraiser exams, according to a spokesperson for DBPR.
Ten locations in Miami, Deerfield Beach, Plantation, Tallahassee, Tampa, Gainesville, Jacksonville and Port Charlotte began offering exams April 16, and the remaining Pearson Vue testing centers are expected to reopen beginning May 1. All testing centers are required to operate at 50 percent capacity and follow social distancing guidelines.
The essential services exams offered also include building code, community association manager, construction (except plumbing), electrical and landscape architect. Outside of real estate, exams are also offered for asbestos contractors; auctioneer; barber; cosmetology; veterinary medicine; and drugs, devices and cosmetics.
Pearson Vue shut down testing nationwide in mid-March as local and state governments began to order non-essential businesses closed.
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Candidates have to schedule exams in advance, and the testing centers are not accepting walk-ins. Once DBPR approves a candidate’s application and sends a test authorization to Pearson Vue, Pearson Vue will reach out to the candidate to schedule the exam, the spokesperson said.
“We’re trying all we possibly can to not disrupt people trying to get into the profession,” said Christina Pappas, vice president of Florida Realtors and vice president of operations for the Keyes Company.
Earlier this month, the Florida Real Estate Commission approved video conferencing of in-person continuing education courses for licensed agents, allowing them to watch classes via platforms such as Zoom and GoToMeeting through June 8.
The state also pushed the renewal deadline for real estate licenses to the end of April, from March 31, waiving late fees during that period.