Real Estate Licensing in Hampton, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate broker or sales associate must hold an active license to engage in the business of selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property, or offering to perform these activities for another person in exchange for compensation.[^1]

A real estate broker is defined as any person who, for compensation or valuable consideration, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property; employs, directly or indirectly, one or more sales associates; or maintains an office for the conduct of such business.[^1]

A real estate sales associate is any person employed by or associated with a broker to perform licensed activities under the broker's supervision.[^1]

If you engage in real estate transactions in Hampton without proper licensing, you violate state law and face enforcement action.

How to Get Licensed

To obtain a real estate license in Florida:

1. Complete Pre-Licensing Education: Take a Florida real estate course approved by the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC). Course hours vary by license type.

2. Pass the State Exam: Register with an approved testing vendor and pass the Florida Real Estate Commission exam. The exam covers state law, broker operations, and ethical standards.

3. Apply to FREC: Submit your application through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Include proof of completed education and exam passage.

4. Sponsorship Requirement: As a sales associate, you must be sponsored by an active Florida broker before licensure is granted.

Detailed procedures, fees, and specific educational requirements are established in Fla. Stat. § 489.105 and related statutes administered by the DBPR.[^1]

Local Requirements

Hampton is located in Bradford County, Florida. Review the Hampton Municipal Code for any local zoning, permitting, or operational requirements for real estate offices within city limits.

Contact the Hampton Building Department for information on office permits, zoning compliance, and local amendments to state real estate regulations.

State licensing is issued by FREC; local business operation compliance is enforced by Hampton city government.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 provides exemptions from licensing for certain activities, including:

• Owner-agents selling their own real property without employing agents
• Attorneys licensed in Florida when performing real estate activities as part of legal practice
• Certain property managers under specific conditions

Consult the statute for the complete list of exemptions and their specific conditions.

State Licensing Board Contact

Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC), Department of Business and Professional Regulation
- Phone: 850-487-1395
- Website: https://www2.myfloridalicense.com/real-estate-commission/

References

[^1]: Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions. Florida Legislature. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/

Hampton Municipal Code. https://library.municode.com/fl/hampton

The law belongs to the people. Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, 590 U.S. (2020)