Unlicensed Real Estate Experience for California Broker Exam?

Question

Hi.  I'm need help determining if my experience selling and leasing land for my company qualifies me to become a California Real Estate Broker.   I don't quite follow the requirements: http://www.dre.ca.gov/Examinees/BrokerExperience.h...

The part that confuses me is this: "It should be noted, however, that claims for equivalency by unlicensed persons for activities which require a real estate license will not be considered."

I am not licensed. Since I'm not required to have real estate license to sell my company's assets, will my 10 years experience as a full time real estate agent for Los Angeles Department of Water and Power count?  It says "for activities which require a RE license"... I wasn't required to have one.

I have a BS in Business Administration: Management (Spring 2002) and I've completed the required Real Estate Courses at Saddleback Community College (Summer 2008).

Will my allowed unlicensed experience combined with RE certificate and BS Biz degree qualify me?

Thanks!

Richard.

Richard F. · Answer

@Russell Brazil  Wow... that's weird.  I have "real estate agent" checked in the profile box YET it shows BROKER on the profile...   I didn't even type that in. It's a check box!

• Real Estate Agent

How are you involved?

I'm Involved as a/an:

Katrina Edwards · Answer

That is awesome if they will accept it.  Maybe because you're working for a government entity that will be more incentive for them to allow it?  I know you don't need a license to buy and sell for an entity if you are a direct employee of that entity (w-2), which I assume you are at LADWP. I hope so for you, but a few words of caution:

The broker exam is not just high level broker knowledge.  It also includes basic RESIDENTIAL sales knowledge questions.  The broker exam in my opinion has NOTHING to do with running a brokerage or supervising sales people just as the salesperson exam doesn't qualify someone to do a good job selling real estate.  Focus on trust fund handling and ethics.  Focus on residential not commercial.   I believe the state tests on the things they audit for...But I have no proof.

How do I know what the exams contain?  I have a CA brokers license, originally had a salesperson license and will be doing my third broker renewal shortly.  I also work daily in the buy/sell markets for myself as well as clients.

Most people do not pass the exams the first time around.  Especially the brokers exam.

Find a good study guide and study the heck out of it.  I passed both my exams the first time through.  I KNEW I passed the salesperson exam, but I was relieved when I got the pass result from the broker exam.  I know quite a few people, smart, experienced folks, who've had to sit for the exams two or three times.

Keep us posted.  Hoping to hear your work experience will count and you pass the exam the first time!

Richard F. · Answer

@Russell Brazil Okay. Makes sense.  I put RE Agent because title is actually "Real Estate Agent" at LADWP though. We aren't required to have a license to do so for an entity.

Russell Brazil · Answer

If you do not have a license, I might suggest changing your occupation here on BP which says real estate broker.  I do not know California state law, but listing ones self in the states where I do business as a broker, and not being licensed would be illegal.

Eric Dowling · Answer

@Richard F.From how I read it I think between your schooling background and your years at LADWP you would be accepted.

Richard F. · Answer

Thanks, @Katrina Edwards.  That made sense to try and call to ask. It was a 40 minute hold time but my desk got some much needed cleaning during the hold music. :)

The DRE phone rep said my unlicensed real estate agent experience should count towards sitting for the broker exam but was subject for review.  She directed me to fill out for RE227 which would include two certifications from my management at LADWP who can attest to my experience and activity.

@Frank R.I'm ready to sit for the broker exam. I have all the classes and 10 years of RE agent, sales, right of way, licensing leasing, and land management, experience. I'm not interested in just the sales license because it doesn't qualify me for a promotion to the next level of real estate agent at my work.

Franklin Romine · Answer

@Richard F.I would just get the sales license for CA.  Study a little and knock it out.

CA should step up the testing requirements to keep all the crazies getting a license.Franklin

Katrina Edwards · Answer

I don't think so. You're probably going to have to start with the salespersons license and hang  it with a broker for at least two years prior to applying for your brokers license. If I remember correctly, the only people who can skip the two years of broker supervision are attorneys and maybe CPAs. I think they used to count a four year degree towards broker supervision, but that changed a few years back.

When in doubt call the BRE directly and ask.

Just because you sold real estate for the company you work for, doesn't mean you're qualified to hold a brokers license. That would be equal to buying and selling your own properties for a 10 year period, which still doesn't qualify you to be a licensed broker.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, but the real estate criteria has been getting stricter overtime. That's a good thing!

I hope this helps :-)

Unlicensed Real Estate Experience for California Broker Exam?

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