Key reports, issues, and decisions of interest to licensees and/or the public are reported here from the most recent Commission meetings:
Pending Cases: The Commission accepted the voluntary surrender of one license; following a hearing, reprimanded one licensee; entered into consent agreements to suspend three licenses, reprimand three licensees, and revoke one license; closed one case without action; reconsidered and rescinded its previous decision to order a hearing involving one licensee and instead closed its case; and ordered hearings involving three licensees.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: 46; total approved: 29.
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 | |||
October 2019 | November 2018 through October 2019 | October 2019 | November 2018 through October 2019 | |
# Tested | 633 | 7062 | 26 | 225 |
% Pass both sections | 57% | 55% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass National section | 91% | 85% | N/A | N/A |
% Pass State section | 58% | 58% | 46% | 40% |
Character Guidelines for Compliance with H770/S.L. 2019-91: Staff reviewed with the Commission draft character guidelines that comply with the new legal requirements and describe the applications staff will bring to the Commission for consideration. The Commission approved the new guidelines. Staff reported that to the extent the guidelines are relevant to license applicants, they will be posted on the Commission website.
Proposed Text of Education Provider Rules: Staff reviewed with the Commission in detail proposed text of rules relating to education providers as necessitated by recent changes in the Real Estate License Law. The Commission will vote in December on whether to begin the formal process of adoption and amendment of the rules as proposed or with changes.
North Carolina Community College System: Ms. Margaret Roberton, Associate Vice President, Continuing Education, NC Community Colleges, provided the Commission with information about North Carolina’s community college system and its workforce development and continuing education programs. The Commission discussed assisting the community colleges in the development of online Prelicensing and Postlicensing courses. The Commission was generally in favor of providing such assistance and asked staff to research the potential project and provide a proposal for consideration at a future meeting.
General Update and BICUP Courses: Staff reviewed with the Commission the list of possible update topics based on suggestions provided by Commission members and staff to date. Commission members were asked to communicate any other ideas for topics, and staff will add them to the list. The Commission will review all proposed topics and prioritize those deemed most important before making a final selection at the December
Commission meeting.
North Carolina Real Estate Educators Association Conference: Staff reported that several members of the Commission staff actively participated the fall NC Real Estate Educators Association (NC REEA) conference. Staff noted that the conference provided valuable information to the North Carolina’s real estate education community and recognized NC REEA President Travis Everette on organizing such a successful conference.
Emerging Trends: Miriam Baer, Commission Executive Director, reported on the recent decision by the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) in support of a “clear cooperation policy” intended to limit its members’ use of “pocket listings.” Ms. Chandler reported that NAR also changed the frequency of its ethics training requirement. Ms. Baer also reported on a meeting at the NAR conference between representatives of the North Carolina REALTORS® and Airbnb.
Report on License Numbers: The Commission was advised that as of October 1, 2019, there are 108,434 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, December 11, 2019, at Raleigh, North Carolina and is open to the public.