Real Estate Licensing in Miami Lakes town, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required to engage in the business of selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property, or offering to perform these services for compensation. [Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a "broker" as a person who, for compensation or promise of compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or a business opportunity, or who offers or attempts to do so.] The same statute defines a "sales associate" as a person employed by a broker to perform licensed activities under the broker's supervision.

If you are negotiating, listing, or facilitating any real estate transaction in Miami Lakes for compensation, you need a license.

How to Get Licensed

Real estate licensing in Florida is issued and regulated by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate—not a local authority.

Step-by-step process:

  1. Complete pre-licensing education. Complete a 63-hour broker course or 24-hour sales associate course from a DBPR-approved provider.

  2. Pass the state exam. After education, pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) examination administered by Pearson Vue.

  3. Apply with DBPR. Submit your application, exam scores, and fingerprints (for background check) to DBPR.

  4. Receive your license. Upon approval, your license is valid statewide—including in Miami Lakes.

Sales associates must work under an active broker. Brokers must maintain a physical office and trust account in Florida.

Reference: [Fla. Stat. § 489.105]

Local Requirements

Miami Lakes is located in Miami-Dade County. Once licensed by the state, real estate professionals operating in Miami Lakes must comply with local requirements.

Check the Miami Lakes Municipal Code for any local amendments, including:
- Local office location or registration requirements
- Local escrow account or trust account rules
- Local advertising restrictions
- Zoning or land use regulations affecting real estate operations

Contact the Miami Lakes Town Hall or Building Department for clarification on local municipal code provisions that may apply to your real estate business operations.

Exemptions

[Fla. Stat. § 489.105] exempts the following from licensing requirements:
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida, when performing real estate services as part of legal practice
- Persons acting as receivers, trustees, or guardians under court order
- On-site property managers managing property owned or controlled by their employer
- Persons selling their own property (not acting as a dealer or regularly engaging in sales)

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)