Real Estate Licensing in Malabar town, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate broker or sales associate must hold a license to engage in the business of buying, selling, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property, or offering to perform these services for compensation.

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" means any person, partnership, or corporation that sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property and receives compensation. A "sales associate" is a person employed by or associated with a broker who performs brokerage services.

If you list properties, advertise real estate for sale or lease, negotiate transactions, or manage transactions on behalf of others for a fee, you must be licensed.

How to Get Licensed

Real estate licensing in Florida is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC).

Steps:

1. Complete Pre-License Education: Enroll in a DBPR-approved real estate pre-licensing course (63 classroom hours for sales associates; longer for brokers).
2. Pass the State Exam: Schedule and pass the Florida Real Estate Exam administered by a testing vendor.
3. Sponsor Requirement: For sales associates, secure employment with a licensed broker before applying for your license.
4. Submit Application: Apply through DBPR with proof of education completion, exam passage, and sponsorship (if applicable).
5. Fingerprinting: Complete background screening as required.

Applications are submitted to DBPR, not to Malabar town directly. The state, not local government, issues real estate licenses.

Local Requirements

Malabar is located in Brevard County, Florida. Once licensed by the state, you must comply with local municipal regulations.

Review the Malabar Municipal Code for any local business licensing, zoning, or operational requirements that may apply to real estate offices or brokerage activities conducted within Malabar town limits.

Contact the Malabar Building Department to confirm whether additional local permits or registrations are required before opening a real estate office in town.

Exemptions

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.105, the following are exempt from licensing:

• Property owners selling or leasing their own property
• Attorneys licensed in Florida when performing brokerage services as part of legal representation
• Employees of property managers or owners managing property they do not own, under certain conditions
• Persons acting under power of attorney for property owners

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
• Malabar Municipal Code

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