Real Estate Licensing in Auburndale city, Florida
Who Needs a License
Florida law defines a "broker" as a person who, for compensation, sells, buys, exchanges, leases, or rents real property, or offers to perform these acts on behalf of others. A "sales associate" is a person employed by a broker to perform these same activities under the broker's supervision.
Under Fla. Stat. § 489.105, anyone engaging in real estate brokerage activities in Auburndale must hold the appropriate license. This includes listing properties, showing properties to buyers, negotiating sales or leases, and advertising real property for others.
How to Get Licensed
Real estate licensing is regulated at the state level, not the municipal level. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) issues all real estate licenses in Florida.
For a Sales Associate license:
1. Complete a 63-hour pre-licensing course from an approved provider
2. Pass the Florida Sales Associate license exam
3. Join a brokerage firm (you cannot hold a license independently)
4. Submit your application through the brokerage to DBPR
5. Pay applicable state fees
For a Broker license:
1. Hold an active Sales Associate license for at least 24 months within the 5-year period before applying
2. Complete a 72-hour broker pre-licensing course
3. Pass the Florida Broker license exam
4. Submit your broker application to DBPR
5. Pay applicable state fees
Refer to Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete statutory requirements, including continuing education obligations.
Local Requirements
Auburndale, located in Polk County, does not issue separate municipal real estate licenses. However, real estate professionals conducting business in Auburndale must comply with the Auburndale Municipal Code.
Review the Municipal Code for local zoning regulations, property disclosure requirements, and any local amendments regarding real property transactions. Property-specific permits (construction, occupancy, or development permits) are issued by the Auburndale Building Department. Contact the Building Department for requirements related to properties you are listing, selling, or managing within the city.
Exemptions
Fla. Stat. § 489.105 exempts certain persons and activities from licensing requirements, including:
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida when performing acts as part of their legal practice
- Employees or salaried managers of property owners when managing their employer's own property
- Auctioneers (under separate licensing)
- Property managers in certain limited circumstances
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)