Changing Brokerages in Florida: The License Transfer Steps

Published October 9, 2026 · Recalde & Friedman, PLLC

Your license follows a broker

A sales associate may operate only for the person registered as their employer (§ 475.42(1)(a)–(d), Fla. Stat. (sales associate may work only for registered employer; compensation only through employer)). When you change employers, your license ceases to be in force for the new employer until the change is recorded. The statute requires notice to the Commission within 10 days of the change, on a form the Commission provides (§ 475.23, Fla. Stat. (license ceases on change of employer; notice within 10 days)).

The DBPR steps

1. Line up the new broker. Review and sign the new independent contractor agreement.
2. Record the change. DBPR lists "Change of Broker/Employer for Sales Associate or Broker Sales Associate" as a Form RE 11 transaction. The new employer must authorize adding you. The Division of Real Estate notes that a broker who adds you through its online account does so in real time, so you can begin working immediately (DBPR Division of Real Estate: Manage My License (Form RE 11, change of broker/employer; post-license education)).
3. Confirm your status. Log in to your DBPR account and check that your license shows the correct employer.

Pending deals and commissions

A sales associate can't sue anyone for a commission except the person who was registered as their employer when the work was done (§ 475.42(1)(a)–(d), Fla. Stat. (sales associate may work only for registered employer; compensation only through employer)). In practice, commissions on deals you started at your old brokerage are governed by your agreement with that broker. Before you give notice:

• Read the departure terms: what you're paid on pending deals, any fees or holdbacks, and who services the file after you leave.
• Get a written list of your pending transactions and how each will be handled.
• Expect listings to stay with the old brokerage unless it agrees to release them, and only with the seller's consent. Check your listing agreements and your contractor agreement.

Escrow deposits and files

Deposits held by the old brokerage stay in its escrow account and are disbursed under its procedures. Don't move files, client funds or confidential records without the brokerage's authorization.

Update your advertising

Every ad must include the licensed name of your brokerage, and online ads must show it next to your contact information (Fla. Admin. Code R. 61J2-10.025 (advertising must include the licensed brokerage name)). Update your website, social profiles, email signature, signs and business cards when the change takes effect.

Professional entity

If you're licensed through a professional corporation or LLC (§ 475.161, Fla. Stat. (licensing as a PA, LLC or PLLC)), confirm how commissions will be paid at the new brokerage. DBPR lists a separate form (RE 16) for adding or removing an entity (DBPR Division of Real Estate: Manage My License (Form RE 11, change of broker/employer; post-license education)).

Weighing a move? Compare the models in our guide to choosing a brokerage, and use the effective split worksheet.

Frequently asked questions