Real Estate Licensing in Starke city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law defines a "broker" as any person who, for compensation or promise of compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases any real property or a business opportunity, or who offers to perform these services.[Fla. Stat. § 489.105] A "sales associate" is a person employed by or associated with a broker to perform real estate services on the broker's behalf.[Fla. Stat. § 489.105]

If you conduct any of these activities for compensation in Starke, Bradford County, you must hold an active license. This includes buying, selling, leasing, or renting residential or commercial property.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not by Starke or Bradford County. Follow these steps:

1. Pre-licensing education: Complete a 63-hour real estate sales associate course from an approved school.
2. Examination: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) exam.
3. Broker sponsorship: Associate yourself with an active Florida broker before you can use your license.
4. Application: Submit your license application to DBPR with proof of education, exam passage, and broker sponsorship.
5. Fees: Pay the required state application and licensing fees.

For current fees, testing dates, approved schools, and detailed procedures, contact DBPR's Division of Real Estate directly. The state statute governing this process is Fla. Stat. § 489.105.

Local Requirements

Starke city does not issue separate real estate licenses. Once you hold a state license, you may conduct business in Starke subject to local zoning, building code, and business tax requirements.

Check the Starke Municipal Code for any local amendments, business tax registration requirements, or property transaction rules specific to the city. Contact the Starke Building Department for information on local permitting or code compliance related to property transactions conducted within city limits.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 provides exemptions for:

• Owners selling or leasing their own property (without employing a licensed agent)
• Attorneys licensed in Florida when performing services as part of legal practice
• Employees of property management companies performing purely ministerial tasks
• Persons acting as principals in their own transactions

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

• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Starke Municipal Code

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