The question has arisen and come to the attention of the Real Estate Commission as to where real estate license certificates should be displayed in real estate offices. With the prevailing trend towards larger real estate firms with numerous associates, the traditional method of displaying real estate licenses in the lobby or reception area of the office has sometimes proven impractical. The problem is then compounded by the popular "bullpen" arrangement in many offices where brokers and salesmen share an open area and do not have private offices to meet with clients and customers.
Commission Rule A .0101 requires that "The license of a Broker-ln-Charge and the license of each broker and salesman engaged in real estate activities at the office of the Broker-ln-Charge shall be prominently displayed (emphasis added) at such office." The intent of this rule is to provide a means for giving notice to the public, specifically real estate consumers, that the broker, salesman or corporation is properly licensed to engage in the business of real estate brokerage. It is, therefore, incumbent upon the licensee to display his or her license certificate in a location in the real estate office which is visibly accessible to clients and customers.
The preferable location would continue to be the lobby or reception area of the office through which all patrons normally pass. However, if this area is not suitable for the display of licenses (e.g., its size cannot accommodate the licenses of all agents working in the office), then alternative locations might include the agent's office or a conference or meeting room if this is where the agent meets the public and transacts brokerage business.
Agents are also reminded to retain their annual license renewal pocket card issued by the Commission. Since this is actually the only evidence that licensees have and can present to others to prove that they are, in fact, currently licensed, it is suggested that the card be carried by agents at all times when conducting real estate brokerage business. Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Broker-ln-Charge to provide for the proper display of license certificates and to verify that each broker and salesman associated with the Broker-ln-Charge's office has properly renewed his real estate license.