At the fall California Association of Realtors ReImagine conference, California Department of Real Estate Commissioner Doug McCauley shared important information on licensing, new regulations, and other hot topics all Realtors should know. McCauley noted the department's goal is to be a high performing licensing entity and protect consumers.
Having as much functionality online is critically important, said McCauley. The DRE has improved its e-licensing so all broker, salesperson and combination applications can now be submitted online. If deficient, the online application cannot be submitted until the deficiency is corrected.
DRE's shutdown of exams twice during the pandemic left 6,000 applicants in limbo. The DRE soon responded offering more exams in the evenings and weekends and creating an auxiliary site in Sacramento. The DRE is also examining the feasibility of contracting with test center companies to expand testing.
Through aggressive scheduling, the department was able to administer more exams during the Covid period than the year before. McCauley announced the DRE was able to issue 25,000 new licenses, bringing the number of California real estate licensees up to 430,000.
McCauley explained exams are continually updated so they reflect the market by licensees who are subject matter experts with experience in all the different areas of real estate. McCauley invited Realtors to share their knowledge and volunteer to be subject matter experts.
The DRE commissioner emphasized his passion for enforcement. He mentioned the DRE is especially cracking down on unlicensed practitioners. He indicated at one time the DRE merely sent cease and desist orders. Today, illegal operators are cited and fined for each violation. To be painful and impactful, violators are fined $2,5000 per count.
"We need to go after them aggressively. We want unlicensed people to know and to understand that if they step out of that line, the DRE is going to fine them and we're going to make sure it hurts," said McCauley.
McCauley suggests the best way to avoid being investigated is for all licensees to read and keep up with the latest DRE news and regulations which are published in the DRE Real Estate Bulletin. The bulletin is published on a quarterly basis on the DRE website at www.dre.ca.gov.
Silicon Valley Association of Realtors President Joanne Fraser states while there are 430,000 real estate licensees in California, not all licensees are Realtors. "Realtor is a trademarked term used by licensees who are members of the National Association of Realtors, the California Association of Realtors, and a local trade association like the Silicon Valley Association of Realtors," said Fraser.
Fraser explained Realtors must abide by a Code of Ethics, which is diligently enforced by peers through the association grievance and professional standards processes. Realtors also must complete two and a half hours of ethics training meeting specific learning objectives and criteria within three-year cycles.
"The current cycle will end on December 31 this year. The Silicon Valley Association of Realtors is reminding members who have not completed their ethics training to do so, or they will lose their membership at NAR, C.A.R. and SILVAR," said Fraser.
The Silicon Valley Association of REALTORS® (SILVAR) is a professional trade organization representing over 4,000 REALTORS® and Affiliate members engaged in the real estate business on the Peninsula and in the South Bay. SILVAR promotes the highest ethical standards of real estate practice, serves as an advocate for homeownership and homeowners, and represents the interests of property owners in Silicon Valley.
The term "REALTOR®" is a registered collective membership mark which identifies a real estate professional who is a member of the National Association of REALTORS® and who subscribes to its strict Code of Ethics.
Variations of this article have appeared in local area newspapers.
For further information, please email or call the SILVAR office at (408) 200-0100.