Key reports, issues, and decisions of interest to licensees and/or the public are reported here from the most recent Commission meetings:
Commission Meeting of July 17, 2019
Pending Cases: The Commission accepted the permanent voluntary surrender of one license; entered into consent agreements to suspend five licenses; following a hearing, denied the application for reinstatement of one broker license; reconsidered its decision to require one licensee to complete the Commission’s Issues and Answers Course and instead ordered that the Consent Order addendum be amended to include a course on agency; and ordered hearings involving seven licensees.
License Applications Involving Character Issues: Applications for licenses from persons who have character issues such as prior criminal convictions or disciplinary action by another licensing board are separately reviewed by the Commission. Decisions are made based upon criminal background checks, information supplied by the applicant, and in-person interviews.
Total candidates reviewed: 18; total approved: 11.
License Examination Results: A summary of key data relating to persons taking the examination for the first time is provided below:
Individuals Tested for the First Time | ||||
Took prelicense course | Hold license from another state | |||
June 2019 | July 2018 through June 2019 | June 2019 | July 2018 through June 2019 | |
# Tested | 534 | 6896 | 18 | 258 |
% Pass both sections | 58% | 56% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass National section | 89% | 81% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass State section | 60% | 59% | 56% | 41% |
H770/S.L. 2019-91: Staff reported that House Bill 770, “Freedom to Work/Occupation Licensing Board Reform,” had passed the legislature and is now Session Law 2019-91. The Commission authorized staff to proceed with the temporary and regular rulemaking process related to the required character predetermination process, with the understanding that the Commission will review draft text at its next meeting, and a public hearing held later in the year in accordance with the requirements of the law.
Report on Broker, Firm, School, Sponsor, and Timeshare Renewals and Reinstatements: Staff reported that as of June 30, 2019, 94% of licensees (103,457) had renewed their licenses, as compared with 92% the prior year, and 94% the year before that. Staff noted as of July 17, 2019, the Commission has 104,714 total licensees. Staff reported that out of the 38 Timeshare Projects, 32 renewed by June 30, 2019, and 30 of the 32 renewed online. The Commission also received data on private school licenses, public school approvals, continuing education sponsor approvals, and instructor approvals.
CE Student Survey Report FY2019-20: Staff reviewed with the Commission the results of surveys of Continuing Education students conducted throughout the year and informed the Commission that the report will be provided annually in July.
Emerging Trends: Chair-elect Jeffery Malarney shared with the Commission an article from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University concerning the relationship between startups and regulators.
Report on License Numbers: The Commission was advised that as of July 1, 2019, there are 103,557 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, August 14, 2019, at Raleigh, North Carolina and is open to the public.