Real Estate Licensing in Virginia Gardens village, Florida

Who Needs a License

Florida law requires licensing for persons who sell, buy, exchange, lease, or offer to sell, buy, exchange, or lease real property on behalf of others for compensation. Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "real estate broker" is defined as any person who sells, buys, exchanges, leases, or rents, or offers to sell, buy, exchange, lease, or rent any real property, or a business opportunity, including all or any part thereof. A "real estate salesman" is any person who, for compensation or promise of compensation, is employed by or associated with a broker to sell, buy, exchange, lease, or rent real property.

Any individual representing clients in real estate transactions within Virginia Gardens must hold the appropriate state license.

How to Get Licensed

Real estate licensing in Florida is issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), Division of Real Estate.

Steps:
1. Complete a pre-licensing course from an approved school (broker or salesman licensing course)
2. Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) examination
3. Apply to DBPR with exam passage confirmation and fingerprinting (background check)
4. Maintain an active broker or broker-associate sponsorship

Specific exam requirements and course hours are detailed in Fla. Stat. § 489.105. Applications are submitted to DBPR, not to Virginia Gardens locally.

Local Requirements

Virginia Gardens is incorporated within Miami-Dade County. Local real estate transaction regulations are codified in the Virginia Gardens Municipal Code.

Contractors and agents must review the Virginia Gardens Municipal Code for any local amendments, local licensing requirements, or municipal regulations affecting real estate activities within town limits. While state licensing is mandatory, the town code may impose additional local compliance requirements.

Contact the Virginia Gardens Building Department for clarification on any local ordinances or permit requirements related to real estate activities.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain persons from licensing, including:
- Persons acting as principals on their own behalf
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida (when acting in their professional capacity)
- Employees of licensed brokers performing administrative or clerical duties only

Exemptions are narrowly construed. If you are compensated for representing another party in any real estate transaction, licensing is required.

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

• Fla. Stat. § 489.105 — Definitions
• Virginia Gardens Municipal Code

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