Real Estate Licensing in Hosford CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required for any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates, attempts to negotiate, or offers to negotiate any of these transactions on behalf of others.[^1] This includes:

• Real estate sales associates
• Real estate brokers
• Property managers (in certain capacities)
• Persons advertising real property for sale or lease

Activities performed by owners of their own property, or by salaried employees of licensed brokers performing purely administrative functions, may not require licensing depending on the specific circumstances.[^1]

How to Get Licensed

State Licensing Process:

1. Meet Prerequisites: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a resident of Florida or have a Florida business address, and be honest and truthful.

2. Education: Complete the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC)-approved pre-licensing course for the desired license type (sales associate or broker).

3. Examination: Pass the Florida Real Estate Exam administered by an approved testing vendor. Sales associates must pass a state exam; brokers must pass both state and broker-specific exams.

4. Application: Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate. Applications are processed at the state level—not locally.

5. Sponsorship: Sales associates must be sponsored by a licensed broker before submitting their application.

Reference Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for statutory definitions and requirements governing real estate professionals in Florida.

Local Requirements

Liberty County and Hosford CDP:

Real estate licensing is regulated entirely at the state level by DBPR. However, local requirements may apply to real estate operations, property management offices, or brokerage locations within Hosford CDP.

Consult the Hosford Municipal Code for any local zoning, occupancy, or business registration requirements applicable to real estate brokerages or offices operating within the municipality.

For questions about local permits or business licensing, contact the Hosford Building Department or Liberty County offices.

Exemptions

Persons exempt from licensing include:

• Owners selling or leasing their own property
• Attorneys licensed in Florida performing real estate services as part of legal practice
• Salaried employees of licensed brokers performing administrative or clerical duties (not negotiating transactions)
• Receivers, trustees, or guardians performing duties under court order[^1]

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

[^1]: Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions. Florida Statutes. http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/

Hosford Municipal Code. Municipality of Hosford CDP, Florida. https://library.municode.com/fl/hosford-cdp-florida

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