The Rules for Sales Associates (You)

Sales Associates (and Broker Associates) CANNOT use a trade name. Legal Name Only: You must be registered and licensed under your legal personal name (e.g., "Jane Doe"). You cannot invent a cool business name like "Miami Condo Queen" and license yourself under that.Why: You work for the broker. If you had your own trade name, it would look like you were a separate brokerage company, which confuses the public.While you can't have a trade name, you can turn yourself into a business entity for tax purposes. Professional Association (PA), LLC, or PLLC: A sales associate is allowed to form a corporation (like "Jane Doe, P.A." or "Jane Doe, LLC").The Catch: The name of the corporation must be your legal name. You can't be "Best Deals LLC"; you must be "Jane Doe, LLC."The License: Once you form this entity with the Department of State, you send proof to the DBPR. They will reissue your license in the name of "Jane Doe, LLC." This allows you to receive your commission checks payable to your company rather than you personally (which helps with taxes).