Real Estate Licensing in Limestone Creek CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate broker or real estate sales associate must be licensed to engage in the business of selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property for compensation. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a real estate 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, or who holds themselves out as engaging in the business.

A sales associate is a person employed by or associated with a broker to perform real estate services on behalf of the broker.

How to Get Licensed

Real Estate Broker:
1. Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR)
2. Meet education requirements: complete a 72-hour broker prelicense course approved by DBPR
3. Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission broker examination
4. Provide proof of financial responsibility and a surety bond as required by state law
5. Submit fingerprints for a background check

Real Estate Sales Associate:
1. Sponsor requirement: You must be employed by or associated with a licensed broker
2. Complete a 63-hour sales associate prelicense course approved by DBPR
3. Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission sales associate examination
4. Submit fingerprints for a background check
5. Your broker submits your application to DBPR

See Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete education, examination, and qualification standards.

Local Requirements

Limestone Creek CDP is located in Palm Beach County, Florida. Specific local requirements are governed by the Limestone Creek Municipal Code.

Contact the Limestone Creek Building Department or Palm Beach County for any local amendments, permits, or additional requirements beyond state licensing. Florida state law preempts most local regulation of real estate licensure, but local jurisdictions may impose specific permitting or zoning requirements for real estate offices operating within their jurisdiction.

Exemptions

A person is exempt from real estate licensing if they:
- Are an owner selling or leasing their own property (not acting as a broker or for compensation beyond the sale/lease itself)
- Are an employee of a property owner managing property owned by that entity
- Are licensed attorneys performing real estate services as part of their legal practice
- Are performing services as officers or employees of a licensed broker solely for that broker
- Are licensed mortgage brokers or loan originators when acting within their licensed scope

See Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete exemption details.

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)