This cause is before us on appeal from agency action dismissing a petition to have a rule declared invalid. The petition alleges that letters of C. P. Stafford, Executive Director of the Florida Real Estate Commission, to appellant state what is in effect an agency rule which has not been adopted and is, therefore, invalid. These letters state that the provisions of Florida Statutes § 475.482, Real Estate Recovery Fund, apply to those whose licenses have been placed in inactive status as well as to those having active status. On this basis, the Commission had required that petitioner, whose license is on inactive status, pay the annual $3.50 fund fee in addition to the regular license fee.

We find that the Commission has followed the statute and that the matter does not require adoption of a rule. The statute refers to “licenses” for brokers and for salesmen, and makes no distinction between active and inactive licenses.1 Nor does the stated purpose of the fund lead to the conclusion that there should be no contribution by holders of inactive licenses. Such licensees may choose to return to active status at any time. They have an interest in maintaining their profession and the public’s estimate thereof in the interim. Contribution to the Real Estate Recovery Fund aids these objectives. Thus, the plain wording of the statute, its stated objective and the Commission’s practice in applying the statute are in accord. Adoption of a rule under these circumstances is unnecessary.

Accordingly, the order below is affirmed.