Key reports, issues, and decisions of interest to licensees and/or the public are reported here from the most recent Commission meeting:
Pending Cases: The Commission entered into consent agreements to suspend 4 licenses; closed its case without action against 4 licensees; reprimanded 5 licensees; accepted the voluntary surrender of 2 licenses; left 2 cases pending; authorized the Regulatory Affairs Division to seek injunctive relief of one licensee; and ordered hearings in cases involving
5 licensees.
License Applications Involving Character Issues: License applicants who have character issues such as prior criminal convictions or disciplinary action by another licensing board are separately considered by the Commission. Decisions are made based upon criminal background checks, information supplied by the applicant, and in-person interviews.
Total candidates considered: 27; total approved: 22.
License Examination Results: A summary of key data relating to persons taking the exam for the first time is provided below:
Individuals Tested for the First Time | ||||
Took prelicense course | Hold license from another state | |||
December 2020 | January 2020 through December 2020 | December 2020 | January 2020 through December 2020 | |
# Tested | 1062 | 9681 | 19 | 208 |
% Pass both sections | 36% | 39% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass National section | 66% | 69% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass State section | 41% | 40% | 32% | 30% |
Report on RRC Approval of the Distance Education Rules: The Rules Review Commission approved the Commission’s proposed amendments to distance education rules shortly after the Commission’s December meeting with only minor technical changes.
Review Draft Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure Form: The Commission reviewed final revisions to a draft two-page disclosure form that would replace the tearoff panel in the existing Working with Real Estate Agents brochure. The Commission approved the revised Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure form, the form to be rolled out in the spring and required in lieu of the brochure beginning July 1, 2021.
Report on Possible NC Timeshare Act Revisions: Staff reported that they had met the prior week with representatives of the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office, representatives of ARDA, and the former Attorney General for Rhode Island to review the proposed modernization of the NC Timeshare Act. Staff anticipate receiving feedback including a possible revision to prohibit timeshare exit companies from receiving advance payments.
Report on Dual Agency Complaints: The Commission reviewed a report on complaints received from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2019 where agency representation was noted as a primary issue. There were 4300 total cases in this timeframe, with 572 cases (13%) involving an agency issue. Of that number, 39 cases (less than 1% of the total) involved dual agency and 20 cases indicated a violation relating to dual agency (less than one half percent of the total). Two of the 20 cases resulted in disciplinary action.
The Commission requested that staff gather more detailed information regarding trends around dual agency legislation nationwide.
Review License Examination Question Development Process: Staff provided a report on the real estate license examination results. The Commission discussed the application fee provided in the law and whether the Commission could give license applicants two or more opportunities to take the license examination for a one time application fee of $100.
Staff will provide further information at either the February or March Commission meeting.
Report on License Numbers: As of January 1, 2020, there are 117,164 brokers and firms licensed by the Commission, as follows:
Next Commission Meeting: The next Commission meeting will be held at 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 17, 2021, via Zoom online video.