As we kick off 2026, the Florida real estate landscape isn’t just shifting—it’s undergoing a full-scale structural renovation. Between a major suite of new transaction forms released on January 5 and a bombshell legislative bill (HB 607) that could dismantle decades of licensing requirements, Florida professionals find themselves at a critical crossroads.

Here is everything you need to know to stay compliant and competitive this month.

1. The January 5 Forms Update: Clarity in Compensation

On January 5, 2026, Florida Realtors released a critical update to the standard forms library, aligning with evolving national standards and enhancing transparency for consumers.

For agents, pairing these changes with targeted contract and CE training is one of the most efficient ways to stay ahead of the curve, especially through focused online options like OnLine Training’s Florida real estate continuing education catalog  Real Estate CE.

Key Form Changes

The CASSB-1 (Compensation Agreement): This new “heavy hitter” replaces multiple older forms to provide a single, clear document for handling compensation from a seller (or seller’s broker) to a buyer’s broker outside of the MLS. To build confidence using the new compensation language in real transactions, agents can integrate scenario-based practice inside their required or elective CE hours through OnLine Training’s real estate CE bundle Real Estate CE.

Exclusive Buyer Brokerage Agreement Updates: The latest version now includes an explicit Audio/Visual Surveillance clause, acknowledging that sellers may have recording devices active during showings and clarifying expectations for all parties. This is an ideal topic to address in a structured online course that covers buyer representation, ethics, and fair dealing, which you can fold into your next CE renewal cycle via OnLine Training’s Florida real estate continuing education offerings Real Estate CE.

Vacant Land (VAC-15): In a win for consistency, the VAC-15 now counts time in calendar days, aligning with the standard residential contracts and reducing confusion on deadlines. Time-calculation, inspections, and deadlines are exactly the kinds of skills that can be reinforced in a focused online CE environment, such as OLT’s bundled 14-hour Florida real estate CE package at Real Estate CE.

2. Legislative Alert: Is Mandatory CE Ending? (HB 607)

The most talked-about topic in Tallahassee this week is HB 607, a wide-ranging deregulation bill that would significantly reshape how Florida regulates real estate and other professions. If passed during the current session, this bill would represent one of the most significant shifts in the modern history of Florida’s real estate licensing framework.

The Proposal

Elimination of Post-Licensing: The bill proposes removing the mandatory 45-hour (Sales Associate) and 60-hour (Broker) post-licensing requirements that currently apply to first renewals. Until anything changes in law, new sales associates still must complete Florida’s 45-hour post-licensing course on time, which you can do 100% online through OnLine Training's Post Licensing Course.

Abolition of CE: Mandatory 14-hour biennial continuing education would be eliminated for real estate licensees under HB 607’s draft language. As of January 2026, those 14 hours are still required, and agents can satisfy their entire renewal in one place using OLT’s Florida real estate CE catalog  Real Estate CE.

Structural Shift: Many powers currently held by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) would be transferred directly to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), centralizing more authority at the agency level.

If signed into law in its current form, the proposed changes would take effect on July 1, 2026, making 2026 renewals a critical year to stay on top of both statutory requirements and transition guidance.

3. Strategic Advice: The Value of “Voluntary” Excellence

If HB 607 passes, the barrier to entry (and staying in) the industry will technically lower, but the market demand for expertise is at an all-time high. In a world where “mandatory” training disappears, voluntary education becomes your greatest competitive advantage, especially for agents who want to stand out with deeper contract, disclosure, and risk-management knowledge.

Professionalism will no longer be defined by a state-mandated checkbox, but by the actual depth of your knowledge and the trust you build with consumers. Agents who continue to seek out structured online training on complex issues—such as condo safety and reserve requirements, inspections, or new disclosure forms—can position themselves as the go-to resource in their markets, using flexible CE and post-licensing options from providers like OnLine Training Real Estate CE.

Conclusion: A Year of Mastery

2026 is the year where the “bare minimum” will no longer be defined solely by the state, but increasingly by the expectations of the market and your clients. Whether you are mastering the new CASSB-1 compensation structures this week, completing your 45-hour post-licensing, or tracking the progress of HB 607, a consistent commitment to education remains the bedrock of your success—and can be maintained efficiently through online providers such as OnLine Training at https://oltraining.com.

Stay sharp, stay informed, and make 2026 your most professional year yet by turning each regulatory change into an opportunity to deepen your expertise.