How to get a Florida Yacht and Ship Salesperson or Broker License

How do I get a yacht and ship salesperson or broker license in Florida?

Step 1: Complete your Florida yacht and ship salesperson or broker license application.

You can apply for your yacht and ship broker or salesperson's initial license online through the DBPR Online Services or fill out the physical application DBPR Form YS 6000-1.

If you have questions while completing your application, you can contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation by calling 1(850)488-1636.

Note: If you're applying for a broker license, your application will only be accepted if you've already been licensed as a salesperson for at least 2 consecutive years.

Step 2: Submit your fingerprints.

You must select a Livescan vendor approved by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE). You can find a list of approved vendors and their contact information on the FDLE website. You'll need to provide the Yacht and Ship Section’s Originating Agency Identification (ORI) number (FL921900Z) to your chosen vendor. Your vendor will submit your fingerprints directly to the FDLE, and you'll have to submit a copy of your fingerprints with your application.

Your fingerprint results could take up to 4 days to be received by the FDLE.

Note: The Livescan vendor will charge you directly for the fingerprint scan. The fee charged by each vendor varies.

Step 3: Pay required fees.

You must include with your application a $551 check or money order payable to the Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes Trust Fund. This covers the $500 application fee and $51 fingerprint fee.

Step 4: Purchase your Florida yacht and ship salesperson or broker surety bond.

The Florida Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act requires yacht and ship salespeople or brokers to file a surety bond with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation for state licensing. This bond requires yacht and ship salespeople and brokers to comply with all provisions of the Yacht and Ship Brokers’ Act as well as all other relevant state laws as outlined on the bond form.

Florida yacht and ship salespeople must file a $10,000 surety bond while Florida yacht and ship brokers must file a $25,000 surety bond. You can buy your $10,000 Florida yacht and ship salesperson bond online 24/7 for $175 or apply for your $25,000 Florida yacht and ship broker bond online 24/7 starting at $225 annually. Once your order has been processed, your official Florida surety bond will be emailed to you.

Step 5: Mail your Florida yacht and ship salesperson or broker license application packet to the DBPR.

You must mail all forms and application documentation to the following address.

Section of General Regulation
Division of Florida Land Sales, Condominiums, and Mobile Homes
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1030

How do I renew my Florida yacht and ship salesperson or broker license?

Florida Yacht and Ship licenses are biennial, meaning they are valid for 2 years from the date issued. During renewal, if you are a yacht salesperson who has completed 2 consecutive years, you may be eligible to upgrade your license status from yacht salesperson to yacht broker, or downgrade your license from yacht broker to yacht salesperson. You may upgrade or downgrade your license at any time during the biennial licensure period.

At least 60 days before your license expires, the state will send a renewal application Form YS 6000-6 by mail. You must pay a $500 renewal fee with your renewal application and include your new surety bond or existing surety bond continuation certificate. You can complete the renewal application online or mail it to the following address.

Department of Business and Professional Regulation
Attn:  FCTMH's Yacht and Ship Brokers' Section
2601 Blair Stone Road
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1030

Note: If you do not submit your license renewal within 30 days of your license expiration date, you may need to reapply for licensure.