Real Estate Licensing in Bowling Green city, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensing for individuals and entities engaged in real estate brokerage and sales activities. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" is defined as a person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or a business opportunity, or who offers or attempts to perform these acts on behalf of others. A "sales associate" is a person employed by or associated with a broker to perform similar activities.

If you buy, sell, lease, or manage real property for others in exchange for compensation, you need state licensure.

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—not a local authority.

Steps:

1. Satisfy education requirements: Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course approved by DBPR for sales associates, or a 72-hour broker pre-licensing course for brokers.

2. Pass the state exam: Take and pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) exam administered by a testing vendor authorized by DBPR.

3. Apply through DBPR: Submit your application, exam results, and fees directly to the Division of Real Estate (not the city).

4. Background screening: DBPR will conduct fingerprinting and background checks as required by Fla. Stat. § 489.105.

Consult the DBPR Division of Real Estate website for current exam schedules, course providers, and application procedures.

Local Requirements

Bowling Green city does not issue separate local real estate licenses. However, once licensed by the state, you may be required to comply with Bowling Green Municipal Code regulations governing real estate operations within city limits.

Review the municipal code for any local business tax requirements, office registration, or zoning restrictions applicable to real estate brokers or sales associates conducting business in Bowling Green.

Contact the Bowling Green Building Department or City Clerk to confirm whether local permits, registrations, or business licenses are required as a supplement to state licensure.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain activities from licensing requirements, including:

• Transactions involving your own property (when not in the business of selling real property)
• Legal counsel licensed to practice law
• Officers or employees of lending institutions engaging in their official capacity
• Property managers employed directly by property owners (without taking a broker role)

Review the statute for a complete list of exemptions.

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
• Bowling Green Municipal Code

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