Real Estate Licensing in Lighthouse Point city, 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 selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property, or offering to perform these services for compensation.[^1]

A "real estate broker" is defined as a person who, for compensation, sells, buys, exchanges, leases, or rents, or offers to sell, buy, exchange, lease, or rent real property, or who collects rent or negotiates or attempts to negotiate a lease or rental agreement.[^1]

A "real estate sales associate" is defined as a person employed by or associated with a broker who assists the broker in performing these activities.[^1]

If you are engaged in real estate transactions in Lighthouse Point for compensation, you need a license unless you qualify for an exemption.

How to Get Licensed

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

Step 1: Complete pre-licensing education. You must complete a 63-hour course for a sales associate license or a 72-hour course for a broker license through an approved Florida real estate school.

Step 2: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission exam. Sales associates and brokers must pass separate state exams administered by Pearson VUE.

Step 3: Apply for your license through DBPR with proof of exam passage, fingerprinting for background screening, and other required documentation.

Step 4: Maintain your license through continuing education (8 hours every 2 years for active licensees).

For specific current requirements, exam dates, and application procedures, contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Division of Real Estate.

Local Requirements

Real estate activities in Lighthouse Point are subject to the Lighthouse Point Municipal Code. Review this code for any local amendments, zoning restrictions, or additional requirements that may apply to real estate transactions or property management within the city.

Contact the Lighthouse Point Building Department or City Clerk's office to confirm whether any local licensing, permits, or registrations are required beyond the state real estate license.

Exemptions

Exemptions from Florida real estate licensing include:

• Owners selling or leasing their own property without compensation beyond the transaction itself[^1]
• Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida when performing services in their professional capacity[^1]
• Receivers, trustees in bankruptcy, administrators, executors, and other court-appointed fiduciaries[^1]
• Employees of property management companies handling day-to-day operations if they do not negotiate leases or rentals[^1]

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

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