Can attaining a RE license in any way be a detriment to a RE Investor?

[Richard Waterman]

This is a question I hadn't considered until a couple days ago, but here is why I ask it. I'm new to investing and want to start making money, and I'm also committed to learning everything I can about whatever I get serious about. So as a result, I decided to go to real estate school and get my license, which I'm scheduled to do next month. I figured, the knowledge will benefit me, I'll gain access to MLS, save commission if I want to buy a property, etc....But then I attended a REIA meeting the other day, and the speaker was a lady who was a short sale specialist. After the meeting, I was chatting with her and mentioned my plan to get my RE license, and she immediately said, "that is not necessary, and when it comes to short sales at least, it could even be a detriment, in that a licensed agent has to make all sorts of disclosures that a non-licensed person does not have to make". I didn't press for details, but it got me thinking. If I want to spend most of my efforts on the investing side of the business, am I actually hurting myself by getting a real estate license? I would like any licensed agents/brokers who are also experienced investors to weigh in on this issue please. What are the pros/cons of being BOTH a licensed agent/broker AND an active investor....regarding shortsales, wholesaling, rehabbing, or whatever topic you would like to relate it to. Thanks for the input.