Who cannot use a trade name in real estate practice?

• A. Brokers
• B. Unlicensed Assistants
• C. Sales Associates
• D. Office Managers

Answer: (C)

In Florida, trade names used in real estate are tied to the brokerage or the licensed business entity, not to individual licensees acting on behalf of a broker. A sales associate is a licensed agent who must operate under a sponsoring broker and advertise under that broker’s name (or the broker’s registered trade name). They cannot present themselves as a separate, independently operating business with their own trade name. This ensures supervision and accountability remain with the broker. Brokers may use a trade name if it’s registered and consistently used in advertising; unlicensed assistants don’t perform real estate activities, so the issue of using a trade name doesn’t apply to their role.