Real Estate Licensing in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Who Needs a License

Any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or offers to negotiate such transactions on behalf of others, must hold a Florida real estate license. This includes brokers, sales associates, and property managers engaged in these activities within Palm Beach Gardens.

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.105, a "broker" is defined as any person who, for another and for compensation or promise of compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or a business opportunity, or who negotiates or offers to negotiate the purchase, sale, exchange, lease, or rental of real property or a business opportunity, or who lists or offers, attempts, or agrees to list real property for sale, lease, or exchange.

How to Get Licensed

Florida real estate licenses are issued by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), not by local municipalities.

Steps:

1. Pre-Licensing Education: Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course approved by DBPR if you're applying as a sales associate, or a 72-hour course for broker applicants.

2. Examination: Pass the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing exam administered by a testing vendor. The exam covers state statutes, rules, and real estate practices.

3. Broker Sponsorship (Sales Associates): Before applying for a license, sales associates must secure a broker to sponsor them.

4. Application: Submit your application to DBPR with proof of education, passing exam scores, and any required background documentation.

5. Renewal: Licenses must be renewed biennially and require continuing education hours per state requirements.

Contact the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation for specific application procedures, exam dates, and course provider information.

Local Requirements

Palm Beach Gardens enforces real estate practices through both state law and local municipal code. Review the Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Code for any local amendments or additional ordinances governing real estate transactions, rental practices, or property management activities within city limits.

Any property transactions or rental activities must also comply with Palm Beach County regulations. Contact the Palm Beach Gardens Building Department or Development Services for clarification on how local codes affect licensed real estate activities.

Exemptions

Per Fla. Stat. § 489.105, exemptions include:

• Owners of property selling or leasing their own property
• Attorneys licensed in Florida when performing real estate services as part of legal practice
• Receivers, trustees, guardians, executors, or administrators acting in their official capacity
• Persons employed by financial institutions performing duties related to property held as security

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
• Palm Beach Gardens Municipal Code

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