Real Estate Licensing in Bay Harbor Islands, Florida
Who Needs a License
Any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or offers to perform these acts, must hold a Florida real estate license. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "real estate broker" is defined as any person who, for another and for compensation or promise of compensation, sells or offers to sell, exchanges or offers to exchange, buys or offers to buy, or rents or offers to rent any real property or business opportunity.
A "real estate salesman" is defined as any natural person who is employed by a licensed broker to perform these same activities on behalf of the broker.
This applies throughout Bay Harbor Islands, Miami-Dade County.
How to Get Licensed
Real estate licensing in Florida is regulated by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not a local town authority.
For a Salesman License:
- Work under a licensed broker (you cannot work independently)
- Complete a 63-hour prelicense course approved by DBPR
- Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) salesman examination
- Submit fingerprints for background check
- Apply through DBPR with your sponsoring broker's approval
For a Broker License:
- Complete a 72-hour broker prelicense course
- Have at least 24 months of experience as a licensed salesman within the 5-year period before application, OR equivalent experience
- Pass the FREC broker examination
- Submit fingerprints for background check
- Apply directly to DBPR
Full details are in Fla. Stat. § 489.105.
Local Requirements
Bay Harbor Islands operates under the Bay Harbor Islands Municipal Code. Review this code for any local amendments or additional requirements beyond state law that may apply to real estate activity within town limits.
Contact the Bay Harbor Islands Building Department or Town Hall for clarification on local zoning compliance, property transfer disclosures specific to the town, or any municipal code provisions affecting real estate transactions.
Exemptions
Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, exemptions exist for:
- Property owners selling or leasing their own property
- Attorneys licensed in Florida acting as such in real estate transactions
- Licensed mortgage brokers or loan originators in limited contexts
- Persons managing property on behalf of owners
Check the full statute for complete exemption details and conditions.
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)