If you’re one of Florida’s Realtors who are in the midst of the bi-annual license renewal, you again this year got a present: no renewal fee.
The renewal notices showed up in mailboxes last month with the message that again only an unlicensed activity fee would be required. The renewal fee was waived by the Florida Real Estate Commission, a division of the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
“At the time of renewal, all licensees must still pay the separate $5 unlicensed activity fee, which the DBPR collects pursuant to Section 455.2281, Florida Statutes,” said Butler. “There is no waiver of any additional fees you may owe at time of renewal, such as late renewal or penalty fees. The licensee’s renewal notice will include all of the appropriate fees.”
But what’s almost free doesn’t come without a cost, as any agent can tell you.
As always, licensees must take a 14-hour continuing education course which highlights recent changes in Ch. 475 as well as administrative rules passed by the commission.
The renewal process is, as always, a boon to the cottage industry of real estate schools which provide by-mail instruction. Schools such at the Florida Real Estate Institute in Orange Park and the Bert Rodgers Schools headquartered in Sarasota produce textbooks, quizzes and grades for fees ranging from $18 to $25.
The changes this year probably won’t affect many licensees but all touch at least someone.
Not everyone renews at the same time.
“Real estate license renewals are broken down into four renewal groups,” said Thomas Butler of the department of Business and Professional Regulation.
“Group one of each real estate license category renews on September 30 of every even numbered year, Group two renews on March 31 of every odd numbered year, Group three on September 30 of every odd numbered year and Group four on March 31 of every even numbered year.”
Those doing the continuing education work now will find new things to learn in the laws.
A major change was a penalty — practicing real estate without a license has been elevated from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony. This is part of the continuing campaign by the state’s Realtors to stop the influx of real estate “companies” who profess to “assist” homebuyers as well as those who simply try and sell real estate without a license.
The new laws also make it easier for a person to become licensed, from a small change such as now requiring a passport photo to a major change allowing an aspirant to take prelicensing classes by “distance,” either online of using a CD.
An oddity in the new laws comes because a FREC rule was ruled invalid. The commission ruled that a licensee could not place “Sold” on a property without the seller’s consent before closing. It was determined that FREC did not have that authority, so now “Sold” can be placed before closing as well as “Contract pending,” “sale pending” or “under contract.”
Renewals can be done online at https://www.myfloridalicense.com/Logon.asp?Page=licensesummary.asp&SID=.
The application process is also available online and new applicants must now provide a completed fingerprint card in an electronic format as well as the notarized application form and the fee. Passport photos are no longer required.
T hose who don’t renew their license will still stay in the system as an “involuntary inactive.” They have a year to complete the continuing education requirements and reapply with a late fee. If they wait more than a year but less than two years, they can return to active status by completing two 14-hour CE courses plus paying the late fee. After two years, the license is considered void and the person must go through the entire process unless he or she gets a waiver from FREC.