Before you read
Test yourself first: 5 questions
Question 1 of 5
A Florida broker must keep brokerage records, including escrow and advertising records, available for inspection by:
Answer: B. Brokers must maintain their books, accounts, and records and make them available for inspection by DBPR/FREC investigators and auditors. Records must be retained for at least 5 years and produced when an authorized state representative requests them.
Question 2 of 5
In Florida, what term describes a broker mixing escrow (clients') money with the broker's own personal or business funds?
Answer: B. Commingling is mixing trust funds with the broker's own funds. It is prohibited because it endangers client money and obscures recordkeeping, even if no money is misappropriated.
Question 3 of 5
Which of the following is a prohibited advertising practice for a Florida licensee?
Answer: B. Florida prohibits blind ads. All advertising must include the brokerage's licensed name so the public knows a licensee is involved; ads that hide brokerage involvement are a violation.
Question 4 of 5
Under Florida advertising rules, all real-estate advertising by a sales associate or broker associate must:
Answer: B. Florida prohibits 'blind advertising.' Any advertisement must include the licensed name of the brokerage firm so the public can identify the brokerage. A sales associate cannot advertise under only their own name.
Question 5 of 5
A Florida ad that fails to disclose the brokerage firm's name, leaving the public unable to identify the licensed broker, is known as:
Answer: B. Blind advertising omits the brokerage firm's name. It is prohibited in Florida because consumers must be able to identify the registered brokerage in any real-estate advertisement.
Keep the streak going with more questions like these, each with a full rationale.
What you need to know
Sales associates and broker associates must advertise under their employing broker and may not advertise in a way that suggests they operate independently. Brokers are responsible for maintaining transaction records and escrow documentation, and escrow/trust accounts must be reconciled on a regular monthly basis with accurate books. These rules ensure transparency and accountability and are commonly examined by DBPR during audits and investigations.
Florida Advertising & Record-Keeping Rules: FAQs
Is Florida Advertising & Record-Keeping Rules on the real estate exam?
Yes. State License Law is a scored domain on the Florida real estate licensing exam, and this topic appears in the state license-law portion.
Is this cheat sheet free?
Yes — every page on Cinna RE's resource library is free to read, print and share. The app adds practice questions, mock exams and a readiness score.
Does Florida test this differently?
Florida applies its own license law on top of the national portion. This page covers the Florida rules specifically, which is what the state section of your exam tests.
