Any applications received by the Department of State on or after July 1, 2008, must adhere to these new standards.

Qualifying Courses

Salesperson: Course increased from 45 hours to 75 hours. A salesperson applicant will be required to show proof of completing 75 hours of approved education. Those salesperson applicants who completed the 45 hour salesperson course prior to July 1, 2008 may complete the additional 30 hour qualifying course to satisfy the 75 hour requirement.

Broker: A broker applicant will be required to show proof of completing 120 hours of approved education. Broker applicants will be required to show proof of completing the 45 hour salesperson course, the 30 hour remedial course and the 45 hour broker course OR the 75 salesperson course and the 45 hour broker course.

Continuing Education

Effective with renewals that expire on or after July 1, 2008, applicants must complete 22.5 hours of approved continuing education, in which at least 3 hours must include fair housing and/or discrimination in the sale or rental of real property or an interest in real property. Any real estate broker who is not exempt from the continuing education requirements by July 1, 2008, will not longer be eligible for the exemption. Any currently exempt licensees who do not maintain their consecutive licensure will lose their exemption.

Course Certificates

The 75 hour and 30 hour qualifying course certificates will only be valid for 8 years.

Examinations

Salesperson: There will be a new examination effective July 1, 2008. The examination will be reflective of the new 75 hour qualifying course curriculum. In addition, it is anticipated that the length of the examination will increase from the current 50 questions, with the exact number to be determined at a later date.

Broker: This examination will under go some revisions to include questions on new topics and to update existing questions. The length of the examination will remain at 100 questions. An applicant who has passed the state exam prior to 7/1/08 but not licensed until after 7/1/08 can still use those results for licensure if taken within 24 months.

Broker Applicants

The requirement to become a broker will increase from 19 to 20 years of age.

Experience obtained as a licensed real estate salesperson is increasing from 1 year to 2 years. The number of points required will also increase.

Equivalent experience obtained in the general real estate business is increasing from 2 years to 3 years. The number of points required will also increase.