Real Estate Licensing in Brownsville CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required for any person who acts as a real estate broker, sales associate, or property manager in exchange for compensation. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a broker as any person who, for compensation or promise of compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or business opportunities, or negotiates or offers to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of real property or business opportunities. A sales associate is any person employed by or associated with a broker to perform these same activities. Property managers who manage residential or commercial properties for compensation also require licensure.

How to Get Licensed

Real estate licensing in Florida is administered by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). To become a licensed sales associate:

  1. Complete Pre-License Education: Enroll in a DBPR-approved 63-hour real estate sales associate course.
  2. Pass the Sales Associate Exam: After course completion, apply to take the Florida real estate sales associate exam through Pearson VUE.
  3. Apply for Your License: Submit your application to DBPR with proof of exam passage, fingerprinting, and a background check.
  4. Affiliate with a Broker: You must work under an active Florida real estate broker. The broker submits a sponsorship agreement to DBPR.

To become a broker, you must have at least 24 months of active experience as a sales associate within the preceding 5 years, complete a 72-hour broker pre-license course, and pass the broker exam.

Reference: Fla. Stat. § 489.105

Local Requirements

Brownsville CDP is located in Miami-Dade County. While real estate licensing is a state-regulated function, local requirements may apply to business operations.

Consult the Brownsville Municipal Code for any local business licensing, zoning restrictions, or municipal regulations that apply to real estate offices or operations within Brownsville CDP.

For local building permits or property-related municipal requirements, contact the Brownsville Building Department or the Miami-Dade County Building Department, as Brownsville CDP is an unincorporated area of Miami-Dade County.

Exemptions

Florida law exempts the following from licensure:
- Property owners selling or leasing their own property
- Employees of property owners managing the owner's property without compensation beyond salary
- Attorneys licensed in Florida acting in a professional capacity
- Persons acting under court order or as executor/administrator of an estate

Fla. Stat. § 489.105

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)