When may Sally begin operating after passing the state exam for sales associate?

The correct choice is that Sally may begin operating after the Department receives a properly completed form. This is because once a candidate passes the state exam for a sales associate, they must submit their application for a license to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). This application includes necessary documentation and, importantly, verification that the candidate has successfully completed the required training and passed the exam.

The timeline for beginning operations as a sales associate is strictly contingent upon the processing of this application. Until the Department processes the application and issues a license, the individual cannot legally start working in a real estate capacity. This emphasizes the importance of administrative procedures in the licensing process.

The other options might suggest different scenarios for commencing work in real estate, but they hinge upon preconditions that must be satisfied first. For example, securing a Broker-Employer or an Owner-Employer is certainly a necessary step before one can actively engage in real estate transactions, but it is not what allows an individual to start operating immediately after passing the exam. Similarly, waiting for the license in the mail occurs after the processing of the application, and merely submitting the completed form does not immediately grant the right to operate either.