By Mary Frances Whitley, Director of Administration
It's that time of year again: time for the Commission to remind all of you brokers-in-charge of your responsibilities concerning the license status of the agents in your office!
As broker-in-charge, it is your duty to ensure that all licenses are current and active. (Please understand that your duty includes agents licensed as brokers as well as salespersons who are under your supervision.)
Therefore, you must personally check and verify that all agents in your office have paid their renewal fees for 2000 - 2001. You may check for current licensure by making sure that each agent's pocket card shows an expiration date of June 30, 2001. Any agent whose license has not been renewed is not permitted to engage in real estate brokerage activities. (Brokers-in-charge who renew after the June 30 deadline must complete a new Broker-in-Charge Declaration form and an activation form for each broker and salesperson affiliated with the firm.) [An agent is also prohibited from brokerage activities if he or she failed to meet the continuing education requirements necessary for active status - even if the agent's license is current. Once again, it is your responsibility as broker-in-charge to verify CE credits.]
A license that expired this year may be reinstated prior to June 30, 2001, by paying $35 (the renewal fee effective July 1) plus a $5 late filing fee. The Commission requests that applicants for late-renewal please enclose their renewal application with their $40 check. However, an applicant who does not have a renewal application may late-renew by writing his or her license number on the check and sending it with current address information.
Expired licenses also may be renewed via the Internet, by charging the renewal fee to the applicant's Visa or MasterCard. (Please remember that a $2 "convenience fee" - to help defray budget impact of handling credit card transactions - will be charged to each licensee who renews by this method.) Internet license renewal is available at the Commission's website, www.ncrec.state.nc.us, by selecting the "Licensee Only" icon and following the computer prompts.
This Internet link allows you to update certain information (residence address, fax number, e-mail address) in your licensee record and to check continuing education credits. Please allow 24 - 48 hours for the Commission's records to reflect your renewal and any record changes.
You also may verify current/active status by calling the Commission's IVR at 919/850-2753.