Real Estate Licensing in Desoto Acres CDP, Florida

Who Needs a License

Under Florida law, a real estate license is required to act as a real estate broker, sales associate, or team leader. Fla. Stat. § 489.105 defines a "broker" as any person who, for compensation, sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases real property, or who negotiates or offers to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or lease of real property, or who collects rent on behalf of others.

A "sales associate" is defined as any person employed by a broker to perform these activities under the broker's supervision.

If you engage in any of these activities—whether residential, commercial, or property management—you must hold an active Florida real estate license.

How to Get Licensed

  1. Qualify for licensure: You must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and be a Florida resident or have a principal place of business in Florida.

  2. Complete pre-license education: Enroll in and pass an approved 40-hour broker or sales associate course from a Florida-licensed education provider.

  3. Pass the state exam: Take the Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) licensing examination. You must pass both the general portion and the appropriate segment (broker or sales associate).

  4. Apply through DBPR: Submit your application to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), which administers real estate licensing under Chapter 475, Florida Statutes.

  5. Sponsorship requirement: If applying as a sales associate, you must be sponsored by an active Florida broker before you can be licensed.

See Fla. Stat. § 489.105 for complete qualification and examination requirements.

Local Requirements

Desoto Acres CDP is located in Sarasota County. While real estate licensing is a state-regulated activity, local municipalities may impose additional requirements for property management or rental registration.

Review the Desoto Acres Municipal Code for any local amendments, rental registration requirements, or property management ordinances that may apply to licensed real estate activities within the town.

Contact the Desoto Acres Building Department or Sarasota County for information about local permit or registration requirements related to real estate transactions or property management within the jurisdiction.

Exemptions

The following are exempt from licensing requirements:
- Owners of property who rent or lease their own real property without employing a broker or sales associate
- Attorneys licensed to practice law in Florida, when performing real estate services as part of their legal practice
- Persons employed by owners solely to manage the owner's property

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)