Can you Get a Real Estate License with a Felony in Florida
Can you get a real estate license with a felony in Florida? If you fall into this group, this article will benefit you. If you want to work as a real estate agent in Florida but have a criminal past, you may be worried about the application procedure.
However, there’s no reason to be concerned. While a few categories of felonies will prevent you from earning your driver’s license, not all felonies are the same. It all boils down to the specific offense or crimes you committed, the time that has elapsed, and the state’s current perception of your character.
Why is it important for real estate brokers to have a criminal record?
First and first, let’s clarify why the state of Florida cares whether you’ve ever committed a crime. It all boils down to the work you’ll be performing. As a real estate agent, you’ll almost certainly have access to people’s residences. You’ll have access to private rooms and often be in residences alone with strangers.
Furthermore, you will be working with large quantities of money. Buying and selling an asset is a significant financial decision most individuals will make. They want to know that the folks managing this transaction are trustworthy.
As a result, a history of financial misdeeds is a huge issue. The state tries to shield individuals from problems by guaranteeing that the real estate brokers they engage with are morally sound. And they use your past to judge if you have excellent moral character.
Crimes, particularly those involving the mismanagement of funds, are an issue.
How will the state know I’ve gotten convicted of a crime?
Think again if you think you can easily leave your criminal past off your Florida real estate licensing application. They’ve put in a few precautions to guarantee they receive a realistic picture of you as a person. And this might be beneficial to you.
You have a greater chance of receiving your real estate license if you have a criminal record, but it has been years since your last transgression, and you can demonstrate excellent moral character today.
So, how does the government know about your past? They may check in two ways. First, they have a full section devoted to background questions on your first sales associate application.
If you’ve ever gotten convicted, they expressly inquire. They also have you sign your application directly after a huge, bolded warning that misrepresenting information on it might result in criminal punishment to urge you to speak the truth.
That’s not all, however. You must provide your electronic fingerprints along with your application. The state also runs them through the databases of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. So lying on your paperwork isn’t going to help you. Your application will certainly get rejected.
Can you get a real estate license with a felony in Florida?
Yes. Even if you’ve got a felony record, you may be able to get a real estate license in Florida. Rather than excluding those with particular crimes from enrolling, the Florida Real Estate Board evaluates each application individually.
When applying for a real estate sales associate license, you must report any past arrests or convictions. You will get asked a variety of background questions on the application. You must declare it if you have ever been charged, found guilty, or entered a no-contest plea to a crime.
This gets coupled with the fact that you are getting investigated for a crime.
Any criminal crime, including felonies, misdemeanors, and traffic violations (other than park, speeding, inspection, or traffic signal infractions) committed at the municipal, county, state, or national level, must be revealed.
This data should be available even if you were sentenced to probation, given a deferred judgment, paroled, or pardoned. Furthermore, copies of the felony report, the resolution or final order(s), and documents demonstrating that all penalties have gotten served and complied with are required.
For each incidence, this paperwork gets required. If you cannot provide the appropriate paperwork, you must get a certified declaration from the relevant jurisdiction’s clerk of court explaining the status of your records.
More Declarations
If you are still on probation, you must attach a letter from your probation officer, written on official letterhead, explaining your probation status. In addition to your criminal past, you must reveal if you have ever had a judgment or court order against you in any state or jurisdiction.
This must connect to real estate practice and profession, including current cases or investigations.
A copy of the judgment or decree will also be required. You must also provide paperwork demonstrating that all penalties have gotten served and met. Alternatively, you must disclose the present status of any procedures if you haven’t already.
In addition, you must state whether or not you have ever had a licensing application declined in Florida or elsewhere. This includes any ongoing legal procedures or inquiries. If that’s the case, you’ll have to provide copies of the paperwork that explains the rejection or pending action.
Finally, you must record any revoked licenses, registrations, or permits to perform any regulated profession, activity, vocation, or business. In Florida or elsewhere, this might include annulments, bans, or other forms of punishment.
This includes any ongoing legal procedures or inquiries. You must include copies of the order(s) detailing the legal action taken against the permit and paperwork indicating the status of the ongoing action.
When putting in for a job, you must provide information about the offense, the location of the crime, and the sentence or disposition for the crime. This is in addition to the date of the offense and a description of the offense. You must report the location, license number or application type and explain the occurrence if you face a professional license judgment or action.
My application has gotten accepted. So, what’s next?
If your application gets granted, it’s time to move on to the following phases in the licensing procedure. Here’s a brief highlight of everything you need to do to get your Florida real estate license:
Finish your Florida real estate licensing course:
You must finish 63 Florida real estate school hours. This will qualify you to become a real estate sales associate. The needed Florida sales associate licensing training is available online.
This implies that you may attend your lessons whenever and wherever you choose. Furthermore, the finest Florida real estate licensing schools can provide test preparation for the Florida real estate exam. As a result, you’ll be ready to ace your test by the time you’ve completed your hours.
Pass the real estate test
The three-and-a-half-hour exam that all real estate agents must take gets administered by Pearson VUE in Florida. On their website, you may schedule your test.
Then try not to be too stressed. To pass, you need to get a score of 75%.
Find a broker to employ you
Once you’ve passed your test, the last application is required to activate your Florida real estate license. You must get the signature of the broker or firm that hired you. Please send it in after they’ve completed it and you’re ready to begin working as a real estate agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get a real estate license with a felony in Florida?
Yes. Even if you have a criminal record, you may be able to get a real estate license in Florida. Rather than excluding those with particular crimes from enrolling, the Florida Real Estate Commission evaluates each application individually.
With a felony, how do I apply for a Florida real estate license?
You must submit a request to Florida to get a Florida Sales Associate or Broker license. Following that, you must submit your fingerprints for a test.
You must submit data about judgments and pleas on the application and the background check. It’s vital to remember that any expunged or minor traffic offenses aren’t required.
It would help if you listed any additional misdemeanor or criminal offenses in addition to DUIs, petty stealing, and underage drinking. Any criminal history that happened outside of Florida must also get included.
What makes you ineligible for a Florida real estate license?
The sort of crime you committed and how long ago it happened to determine whether you can receive a real estate license in Florida. A crime involving moral turpitude, a crime against a youngster or adult, or a sexual offense is likely to be a deal-breaker. Some minor crimes carry a term of disqualification.
Which of the following conditions must an applicant meet to get considered for a Florida real estate license?
Aspirants for a real estate license must be 18 years old and have completed high school or equivalent education in Florida. An aspirant for a Florida real estate license does not have to be a state resident.
Conclusion
In conclusion, real estate provides diverse earning possibilities for residents of Florida. And if you need more help on this, the above highlight on “can you get a real estate license with a felony in Florida” will be indispensable for you.
