Real Estate Licensing in Pensacola city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required to engage in real estate brokerage or sales activities. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a "real estate broker" as any person who, for compensation or the promise of compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or offers or attempts to do so on behalf of others. A "real estate sales associate" is a person employed by or associated with a broker who performs similar activities under the broker's supervision.

If you represent clients in the purchase, sale, lease, or exchange of real property in Pensacola, you must hold a current, active license.

How to Get Licensed

Licensing in Florida is managed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate.

For a Sales Associate License:
1. Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course from an approved provider
2. Pass the Florida Real Estate Sales Associate Exam
3. Be sponsored by an active Florida broker
4. Submit your application to DBPR with proof of course completion, exam passage, and broker sponsorship
5. Pay the applicable licensing fees

For a Broker License:
1. Hold an active sales associate license for at least 12 months during the preceding 5 years (or equivalent experience)
2. Complete a 72-hour broker pre-licensing course
3. Pass the Florida Real Estate Broker Exam
4. Submit your application to DBPR with required documentation
5. Pay licensing fees

Reference Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete statutory requirements.

Local Requirements

The City of Pensacola is located in Escambia County, Florida. Real estate licensing is regulated entirely by the state through DBPR—there is no separate city or county licensing requirement for real estate brokers or sales associates.

However, if your brokerage maintains a physical office location in Pensacola, you must comply with local zoning and business registration requirements. Contact the Pensacola Building Department for information on permitted uses and any local business licensing needed for your office location.

Review the Pensacola Municipal Code to confirm there are no local amendments or restrictions affecting real estate business operations within city limits.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain persons from licensing requirements, including:
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida, when performing real estate services as part of their law practice
- Property managers handling leases only (not sales or exchanges)
- Owners selling or leasing their own property
- Persons employed by the owner to manage property owned by that employer

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)