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According to Florida law, what is prohibited regarding payments to unlicensed persons?

  1. Paying referral fees for real estate business

  2. Paying them for marketing services

  3. Paying commissions for sales associates

  4. None of these options are prohibited

The correct answer is: Paying referral fees for real estate business

Under Florida law, it is prohibited to pay referral fees for real estate business to unlicensed persons. This regulation is in place to ensure that only licensed individuals, who have the requisite education and training, are compensated for services that require a real estate license, such as making referrals in the sale, leasing, or management of real estate. The law is designed to protect consumers by ensuring that real estate transactions are handled by qualified professionals. In contrast, paying unlicensed individuals for marketing services may be allowed under certain conditions, provided that the marketing does not involve activities that require a license. Similarly, commissions for sales associates are specifically tied to licensed agents who are working under a broker's supervision, emphasizing that payment structures within real estate must adhere to licensing regulations. Therefore, the focus of the prohibition is strictly on referral fees, making the correct interpretation that this payment to unlicensed persons is not allowed.