The Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) in Tallahassee, Florida, has announced that the license renewal process is now open for individuals and businesses licensed under Chapters 494, 517, 559 of the Florida Statutes, as well as some under Chapter 560. The OFR emphasizes the importance of completing renewals to maintain active license status.
Entities such as FINRA Member Dealers and Investment Advisers are required to renew their licenses through the Central Registration Depository (CRD) or Investment Adviser Registration Depository (IARD) by December 26, 2023.
For those holding licenses under Chapter 494, including Loan Originators and Mortgage Brokers, renewals must be completed via the National Multistate Licensing System & Registry (NMLS) by December 31, 2023.
Certain other entities like Commercial Collection Agencies and Money Services Businesses need to use the OFR online licensing portal (REAL) by logging in before December 31, 2023. Non-FINRA Member Dealers and Canadian Dealers have until January 3, 2024, to complete their renewals using the same portal.
Florida law mandates that businesses and individuals must hold an active license with the OFR to engage in specific financial services. Inactive or expired licenses prohibit conducting business activities until reactivation or new application approval.
For further assistance accessing OFR’s REAL system, visit www.flofr.gov or call (850) 487-9687.