Real Estate Licensing in Moore Haven city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law defines a "broker" as any person who, for another and for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases any real property or a business opportunity. A "sales associate" is a natural person who works for a broker and performs real estate services on behalf of the broker.

Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, individuals performing these activities on behalf of others for compensation must hold an active Florida real estate license. This includes residential and commercial transactions, property management, and business opportunity sales.

If you are a property owner selling your own property without representing others, or a property manager acting solely for an owner without compensation beyond a salary, you may operate without a real estate license. However, if you represent buyers or sellers for a fee or commission, licensing is mandatory.

How to Get Licensed

Florida real estate licensing is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not a local body.

Steps to licensure:

1. Complete a DBPR-approved pre-licensing course (63 hours for sales associates; 72 hours for brokers)
2. Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission exam
3. Affiliate with a broker (sales associates must work under a licensed broker)
4. Submit your license application to DBPR with proof of course completion and exam passage
5. Pay the required state licensing fee

Specific exam requirements, course providers, and application procedures are detailed in Fla. Stat. § 489.105 and accessible through the DBPR website. No experience requirement exists for sales associates; broker applicants must meet additional experience qualifications under state statute.

Local Requirements

Moore Haven operates under the Moore Haven Municipal Code, available at https://library.municode.com/fl/moore_haven.

Review the municipal code for any local ordinances governing real estate business operations within city limits, including registration, office location standards, or advertising requirements specific to Moore Haven.

Contact the Moore Haven Building Department for information on any local permits or registrations required to operate a real estate business office within city limits.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts:
- Property owners selling their own property (not acting as brokers)
- Attorneys licensed in Florida when performing real estate services incidental to legal representation
- Persons employed solely to manage property for a single owner without compensation beyond salary
- Officers or employees of licensed brokers performing only clerical or administrative tasks

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
• Moore Haven Municipal Code

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