Real Estate Licensing in Plant City, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required to engage in any activity defined as operating as a real estate broker, sales associate, or property manager. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines these roles broadly: any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property; negotiates the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or lease of real property; advertises real estate for sale or lease; or acts as an intermediary between buyer and seller.

If you perform these activities—even occasionally or for a single transaction—you need licensure. This includes managing rental properties or collecting rent on behalf of owners.

How to Get Licensed

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

Steps:

1. Complete a pre-licensing course from a DBPR-approved provider (63 hours for sales associate; 72 hours for broker)
2. Pass the Florida real estate license exam
3. Apply to DBPR with proof of course completion and exam passage
4. Submit fingerprints for background screening
5. Receive your license from DBPR

For detailed exam requirements, course providers, and application procedures, contact DBPR directly or visit their website. Licensing is handled entirely at the state level under Fla. Stat. § 489.105.

Local Requirements

Plant City operates under the Plant City Municipal Code. Review the Plant City Municipal Code for any local amendments, registration requirements, or local business tax obligations that may apply to licensed real estate professionals operating within city limits.

Real estate transactions in Hillsborough County (where Plant City is located) may have county-level requirements. Consult the Plant City Building Department or Hillsborough County offices to confirm whether local registration, permits, or business licensing is required beyond state DBPR licensure.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 provides exemptions for:

• Owners selling their own property (not on behalf of others)
• Attorneys licensed in Florida when engaged in their professional practice
• Employees of licensed brokers acting solely under broker supervision without separate compensation
• Banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions performing certain activities

Other exemptions exist; review the statute directly to determine applicability to your specific situation.

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
• Plant City Municipal Code

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