SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6474

BYSenator McCaslin

Requiring continuing education for real estate brokers and salespeople.

Senate Committee on Economic Development & Labor

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 3, 1988; February 4, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6474 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Lee, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Cantu, Conner, McMullen, Saling, Smitherman, West.

Senate Staff:Charles A. Woods (786-7911)

                  February 5, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & LABOR, FEBRUARY 4, 1988

BACKGROUND:

After a real estate agent or salesperson becomes licensed, only 30 additional hours of education are required as a condition of obtaining their second license.  These 30 hours are required only during the first year of licensure.  The Washington Association of Realtors is interested in maintaining a well-informed membership through continuing education of its members.

SUMMARY:

This bill requires real estate brokers and salespersons to provide proof to the Director of Licensing of 30 hours of continuing education every two years.  The real estate courses taken must be those approved by the director.  Hours in addition to the required 30 could be carried over to the next two year period, but only if the excess credit hours were taken during the second year of the prior two year period.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The proposed substitute specifies that up to 15 hours of instruction may be carried over into a subsequent two-year period to satisfy continuing education requirements.

The language of SB 6682 is incorporated, allowing the Director of Licensing to require any broker or salesperson who violates real estate laws to successfully complete a course of study on that aspect of real estate law violated.  This penalty may be imposed in lieu of or in addition to other penalties provided under this chapter.

An effective date of January 1, 1989 is provided.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 29, 1988

Senate Committee - Testified: Gary Wright, Washington Association of Realtors (for); Andrew Kollmer, Washington Association of Realtors (for)