Real Estate Licensing in Ives Estates CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate broker or salesperson must be licensed to engage in the business of selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property on behalf of others for compensation. [Fla. Stat. § 489.105] defines a "broker" as any person who, for compensation, sells or offers to sell, buys or offers to buy, exchanges or offers to exchange, leases or offers to lease, or rents or offers to rent any real property or business opportunity. A "salesperson" is any person who, for compensation, performs substantially the same acts under a broker's direction.

If you are acting as an individual agent representing buyers or sellers in Ives Estates CDP, you need licensure. If you are managing a brokerage firm in the area, you also require licensing as a broker.

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 town board.

Steps:
1. Complete pre-licensing education from a DBPR-approved school (63 hours for salesperson; 72 hours for broker).
2. Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission examination.
3. Apply to DBPR with proof of education, exam passage, and fingerprinting for background check.
4. Pay the applicable licensing fee.
5. Designate or become associated with an active Florida broker.

For current exam schedules, application procedures, and fees, contact DBPR directly. The town of Ives Estates does not issue real estate licenses.

Local Requirements

Ives Estates CDP is governed by the Ives Estates Municipal Code. Review this code for any local business operating requirements, sign regulations, or office location rules that may apply to real estate professionals operating within town limits.

Permits or certificates of occupancy for a real estate office in Ives Estates should be obtained through the Miami-Dade County building and permitting authority, as Ives Estates is an unincorporated CDP. Check the municipal code for specific local amendments regarding commercial real estate operations.

Exemptions

[Fla. Stat. § 489.105] exempts certain activities from licensure, including:
- Property owners selling or leasing their own property
- Attorneys licensed in Florida when engaged in real estate transactions incidental to legal practice
- Salaried employees of property management firms handling leasing only (under specific conditions)

Consult the statute for a complete list of exemptions applicable to your 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

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