By
Larry A. Outlaw
Education Director
Since implementation of new regulations regarding real estate schools, courses and instructors on September 1, 1979, 83 North Carolina schools have been approved by the Board to conduct real estate prelicensing courses during the 1979-80 academic year. Included in this number are 52 community colleges/ technical institutes, 9 colleges/universities, 16 private real estate schools, 4 private business colleges, and 2 community schools (under local boards of education). With such a large number of schools participating in the prelicensing education program, the availability of courses to the general public is excellent, especially through the community college system. The community colleges/technical institutes and colleges/universities are scattered throughout the state and offer primarily broker courses, while the private real estate schools and private business colleges are concentrated in the larger cities/towns and offer primarily salesman courses.
Under the new standards for certification of pre-licensing course instructors, the Board has certified 190 instructors who have satisfied the Board's requirements as to their education and experience. The certification requirement has definitely resulted in an overall improvement in the level of real estate knowledge and competence possessed by prelicensing course instructors.
Aside from the increase in the broker education requirement to 60 hours of instruction, perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the past year with respect to pre-licensing education has been the publication or a comprehensive course syllabus for use in pre-licensing courses. The syllabus has been well-received by real estate instructors and is being used by all approved schools. The syllabus has standardized the curriculum in all pre-licensing courses, provided instructors with a detailed outline of all subjects to be covered, and offered suggestions to instructors concerning instructional aids, reference materials, and subject area emphasis.
Although implementation of the new standards for pre-licensing education involved several hectic months, the changes were accomplished quite smoothly thanks to the fine cooperation and support received from schools and instructors. We are all confident that the improvements made in this area will produce positive results which will directly benefit both the profession and the public.