The “Broker’s Corner” contains information on current issues regarding the Department of Real Estate, National Association of REALTORS, California Association of REALTORS and legislative activity affecting our industry.
By Ken Davis of Rodeo Realty
I would like to address procedures for renewing your real estate license. The DRE provides two methods for renewing your license, whether it be a Salesperson’s or Broker’s license.
The first is sending paper documents by mail. Assuming 3-5 days for the post office to deliver, and 3-5 days for the DRE to log it in and cash your check or charge your credit card, you can expect at least 6-10 days before you have any evidence the DRE has acknowledged your renewal application and accepted your payment.
If you have 2-3 months before your license expires, you probably will not experience the stress of your license expiring on the DRE website. Or maybe you will. The DRE is generally running 45-60 days late in processing mail-in renewals.
If your license expires, the DRE requires your broker to sever you from Rodeo Realty, until proof of renewal is provided. The DRE forbids you from practicing your profession while your license is expired. This is not something any of us want to face.
The second method is “E-Licensing”. You simply file the same information you would have submitted by mail, but you do it on-line. When you complete the on-line form, you fill out a credit card payment authorization and click the submit button.
If you have a broker’s license, you are finished. If you have a salesperson’s license your broker is immediately notified by e-mail that your renewal has been submitted electronically. Your broker logs into the DRE e-licensing page and acknowledges the submission. In a nanosecond, your license expiration date is advanced four years and you and your broker can go on to more important things.
The moral of the story is, if at all possible, please use E-Licensing to renew your license. It will save you stress and make your broker smile!