Real Estate Licensing in Plantation, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires a license to engage in real estate brokerage or sales. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" is defined as any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or who offers, attempts, or agrees to perform these acts on behalf of another. A "sales associate" is a person employed by a broker to perform brokerage services.

You need a license if you:
- Negotiate or attempt to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or lease of real property
- Collect earnest money deposits
- List property for sale or rent
- Show properties to prospective buyers or tenants
- Represent a buyer or seller in a real estate transaction

How to Get Licensed

  1. Education: Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course approved by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR).

  2. Exam: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing examination.

  3. Application: Apply through the DBPR. If you are a broker, you must hold a valid sales associate license for at least 24 months in the five years preceding application.

  4. Fingerprinting and Background Check: Submit to fingerprinting for a criminal background check as part of your application.

  5. Broker Sponsorship: Sales associates must be sponsored by a broker before receiving their license.

Reference Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete licensing definitions and requirements.

Local Requirements

Plantation, located in Broward County, is governed by the Plantation Municipal Code. Real estate licensing is regulated primarily at the state level by the DBPR, but you should consult the Plantation Municipal Code to confirm there are no additional local requirements or restrictions specific to conducting real estate business within city limits.

Contact the Plantation Building Department to determine if any local permits, registrations, or business licenses are required beyond your state real estate license.

Exemptions

Exemptions from licensing include:
- Individuals selling, exchanging, purchasing, or leasing their own real property
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida, when performing real estate services as part of their legal practice
- Employees of property owners managing rental properties owned by their employer
- Persons acting under court order or as receivers, trustees in bankruptcy, administrators, executors, or guardians

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

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