Real Estate Licensing in Sunny Isles Beach city, Florida

Who Needs a License

In Florida, a real estate license is required to engage in real estate brokerage or sales activities. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" means any person who, for another and for a compensation or valuable consideration, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or offers to sell, exchange, purchase, or rent real property or a business opportunity. A "sales associate" is any person associated with a broker who performs these same functions under the broker's direction.

If you sell, list, market, or negotiate the sale of real property in Sunny Isles Beach, you must hold an active Florida real estate license.

How to Get Licensed

  1. Pre-Licensing Education: Complete a state-approved 63-hour classroom or online course in real estate principles and practices.

  2. Exam: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing examination administered by Pearson Vue.

  3. Application: Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Include proof of education, exam passage, and fingerprints for background check.

  4. Sponsorship: You must have a sponsoring broker—applicants cannot work independently. The broker applies for your license on your behalf.

  5. Licensing: Once approved, DBPR issues your license. Licenses are valid for two years.

No specific state experience requirement exists for initial licensure, though continuing education (8 hours per renewal period) is mandatory to maintain an active license.

Local Requirements

Sunny Isles Beach operates under Sunny Isles Beach Municipal Code. While real estate licensing itself is a state function through DBPR, any commercial real estate activity in the city must comply with local zoning, business tax receipt, and property operation requirements.

Action needed: Check the Municipal Code linked above for any local business licensing requirements or amendments that may apply to real estate offices or agents conducting business within city limits. Contact the Sunny Isles Beach Building Department for clarification on local compliance requirements for operating a real estate brokerage or office location.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts:
- Owners of property selling their own real estate
- Attorneys licensed in Florida performing services in their professional capacity
- Financial institutions and employees performing their normal duties
- Property managers hired by owners (limited scope)

These exemptions do not apply to individuals representing others for compensation or earning a commission from real estate transactions.

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)