Quick Answer: The Florida Real Estate Commission (FREC) is the government office that regulates real estate education and licensure for the state of Florida.
FREC is overseen by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). FREC and DBPR work together closely, and the division of responsibilities between the committee and the supervisory department isn’t always obvious from the outside. For example, when you’re ready to apply for your Florida real estate license, you will go to the FREC website and choose your license type. But your application will actually be processed by the DBPR.
Two things that are handled solely by FREC are:
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The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) is an agency in charge of licensing and regulating businesses and professionals. Being so, it oversees the FREC but also issues and regulates licenses in a wide range of other industries. While the FREC decides what education you have to complete to become a real estate agent, you'll apply using the DBPR's online portal. Learn more about the differences between the DBPR and FREC.
FREC is directly responsible for addressing complaints against licensed brokers, salespeople, real estate firms, and real estate educators. FREC reviews complaints filed, gives the accused party a chance to defend themselves, and determines if disciplinary action is warranted. Appropriate disciplinary actions may include:
FREC is not authorized to force the guilty party to pay restitution for damages to the injured party or to force the guilty party to correct previous actions.
Disciplinary Activity Reports are published once per year to notify the community of FREC’s disciplinary actions.
FREC holds public meetings once per month, always on a Tuesday evening. These meetings give the public a chance to comment on matters or propositions presented before the Committee.
The public can attend the meetings in person at the Real Estate Commission Chambers in Orlando or can live stream the sessions online.
If you're interested in attending any of the monthly meetings hosted by FREC, they keep an up-to-date schedule online. You can also browse through the minute records from past meetings.
Additionally, FREC encourages the public to share their comments via the following methods:
Mail: Division of Real Estate, 400 W. Robinson Street, Suite N801, Orlando, Florida 32801
Fax: 407-317-7245
FREC members are appointed by the Florida State Governor and approved by the state Senate. There are seven members on the committee, each appointed to a four-year term:
Interestingly, Florida real estate appraisers are not regulated by FREC. Appraisers have their own commission, the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board (FREAB). FREAB is also overseen by DBPR and does for appraisers what FREC does for real estate agents and brokers.
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