Who is required to have a real estate license?

The requirement for a real estate license is primarily tied to the act of engaging in real estate transactions for compensation. In this case, an individual who anticipates receiving a fee for collecting rent is acting as a property manager or intermediary in a rental arrangement. This role typically involves activities that fall under the umbrella of real estate services, which necessitates a licensed professional to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.

Homeowners selling their own property do not need a real estate license because they are not acting as agents for others—they are simply selling their own asset. Similarly, real estate appraisers and attorneys working within their respective professional confines also have specific exemptions from needing a real estate license when they are conducting work that aligns more with their designated professional capacities, provided that they are not engaging in activities that require a license, such as representing others in a transaction or managing real estate for clients.

Thus, the individual collecting rent with the expectation of receiving a fee is operating in a capacity that clearly fits the definition of requiring a real estate license.