Real Estate Licensing in Dade City, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate broker or sales associate must be licensed to engage in the business of selling, buying, exchanging, leasing, or renting real property on behalf of others for compensation. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a "broker" as a person who, for compensation or valuable consideration, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property or creates, sells, exchanges, or leases a business opportunity. A "sales associate" performs similar functions but works under a broker's supervision.

Activities requiring licensure include listing properties, showing properties to prospective buyers, negotiating sales, managing leases, and handling earnest money deposits.

How to Get Licensed

  1. Apply to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which issues real estate licenses statewide.

  2. Pass the state exam: Applicants must pass the Florida Real Estate Commission's licensing examination. Sales associates must first affiliate with a licensed broker.

  3. Meet education requirements:

  4. Sales Associate: Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course approved by DBPR

  5. Broker: Complete additional broker-level coursework and demonstrate experience as a licensed sales associate

  6. Experience requirement for brokers: At least 24 months of active experience as a licensed sales associate within the five years preceding application.

  7. Submit application to DBPR with exam results, proof of education, and fees.

Do not rely on local city staff for state licensing—all real estate licensing is handled exclusively by DBPR at the state level.

Local Requirements

Dade City falls under Pasco County jurisdiction for permit and construction-related matters. Real estate agents operating in Dade City must comply with Dade City Municipal Code.

Check the Dade City Municipal Code for any local provisions regarding property disclosure requirements, local licensing taxes, or business operating permits required within city limits. Contact the Dade City Building Department or City Clerk's office to confirm whether a separate local business license or real estate registration is required to operate within the city.

State licensure is the primary requirement; however, local ordinances may impose additional business registration or tax obligations.

Exemptions

Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain persons from real estate licensing, including property owners selling or leasing their own property, attorneys licensed in Florida when performing real estate services as part of legal practice, and on-site property managers employed by a property owner managing that specific property.

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)