Real Estate Licensing in Three Lakes CDP, Florida
Who Needs a License
Under Florida law, a real estate license is required to act as a broker or sales associate in residential or commercial real estate transactions. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a "broker" as any person who, for compensation, sells, buys, exchanges, rents, or offers to sell, buy, exchange, or rent any real property or a business opportunity. A "sales associate" includes any person employed by a broker to perform these activities.
If you engage in real estate activity for compensation in Three Lakes CDP without a license, you are operating illegally.
How to Get Licensed
Step 1: Meet prelicensing requirements. Complete a Florida-approved prelicensing course. This is a 63-hour online or classroom course covering Florida real estate law, practices, and ethics.
Step 2: Pass the state exam. After completing prelicensing education, take the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) examination administered by a testing vendor. The exam covers state law and general real estate knowledge.
Step 3: Apply through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Submit your application, exam scores, and required fees directly to DBPR, the state agency that issues real estate licenses. You cannot obtain a license through Three Lakes CDP or Miami-Dade County—licensing is a state function under Fla. Stat. § 489.105.
Step 4: Maintain sponsorship. You must maintain active sponsorship with a licensed Florida broker. Sales associates cannot hold licenses independently.
Local Requirements
Three Lakes CDP is located in Miami-Dade County. Once licensed by the state, no additional local real estate license is required to conduct business in Three Lakes.
However, if your work involves property development, construction, or building improvements as part of real estate transactions, consult the Three Lakes Municipal Code for any local zoning or permit requirements. Contact the Three Lakes Building Department or Miami-Dade County Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources for specific development requirements in your jurisdiction.
Exemptions
Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts:
- Owners selling or leasing their own property
- Salaried employees of property owners acting only for their employer
- Attorneys engaged in real estate transactions incidental to general legal practice
- Persons acting as trustees, guardians, or executors of estates
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)