My salesperson license has been returned to the Department because I’m no longer employed by a broker.  What happens to my license now?

I am a broker and have a salesperson who is no longer going to be with my company.  What do I do with this person’s license?I am a broker and have a salesperson who is no longer going to be with my company.  What do I do with this person’s license?

Your license will change from “Active” status to a “No Employer” status.  It will remain in that status until either your license expires on 10-31-09 or until you transfer your license to active status with another employing broker.  If you desire to become actively licensed, complete a Real Estate Salesperson Transfer Application.  A real estate salesperson’s license cannot be active without an employing broker. Many employing brokers hold licenses for part-time or inactive salespersons, but the Department still considers the license active. You may keep your license in the “No Employer” status until 2009.  However, to renew your license in 2009, you must reactivate your license by transferring before 10/31/09.
If you have a change of name or address while your license is in the “No Employer” status, you can submit the change in writing or fax it to 517-373-1044.  Please include your permanent I.D. number and a contact telephone number in case the Department has a question.  A replacement license will not be printed because it is not an active license, but the change will be updated on the license database.
Please remember that if you continue to attain six clock hours (including 2 hours of law) of approved real estate continuing education each year, even while your license is not active, you will automatically meet the continuing education requirements should you desire to reactivate in the future.  This is true even if your license is in lapsed status for more than three years.  Keep your continuing education certificates and make sure you do not take the exact same class more than once.  You will only receive credit once.

I am a broker and have a salesperson who is no longer going to be with my company.  What do I do with this person’s license?

If the salesperson (or associate broker) has departed, the original wall license needs to be returned to the Department.  Please include a cover letter with the wall license and mail it to:
Michigan DLEG
Real Estate Licensing
P. O. Box 30243
Lansing, MI  48909
Questions can be directed to:  517-241-9288.

Is there an easier way to check the status of my license? Every time I call I get a busy signal.

At certain times of the year the telephone lines are very busy. You can check the status of your license at any time at Check a License. Fill in the requested information and follow the instructions.

My license expired.  Do I have to continue taking continuing education every year?

Salespersons, individual brokers and associate brokers who have been lapsed for less than three years can reapply with proof of continuing education completion for each year the license was lapsed (see Section 2504(5) of the Occupational Code). 
If the license has been in lapsed status for more than three years, one of the following three options can be chosen (Section 2504(6) of the Occupational Code): 
1)  Proof of approved Michigan continuing education for each of the years the license was lapsed; OR
2)  Successfully retake the appropriate, approved prelicense education (40 hours for salespersons – 90 hours for brokers); OR 
3) Retake and pass the appropriate real estate exam (salesperson or broker).  (See www.psiexams.com for registration information)

As a salesperson, can I work independently or do I have to work for a broker?

Salespersons are required to be licensed through an employing broker. The salesperson does all regulated real estate business in the name of (and under the direct supervision of) the employing real estate broker, and only the employing broker can pay the salesperson a commission.

I'm transferring to my broker's other branch office. How do I notify you?

The Department does not designate which employees are assigned to each of a broker's branch offices. If you are moving between one branch office of a broker to another office of the same broker, you do not have to send us any notification. The only time you have to file a transfer application is when you are leaving the employ of one broker and going to another broker.

As a salesperson, do I have to notify you that my home address has changed?

Yes. This is the address where your renewal application will be mailed. You can download the Salesperson Request for Record Change form, this form is also used for name changes. Brokers should use the Name or Address Change for Brokers and Associate Brokers form.  There is a $10 fee for this service. Remember that ANY and ALL of the forms and publications can be found at “forms and publications” under the Quick Links column on the main page for Real Estate.

I've lost my pocket card. How do I get a new one?

Either use the form in Forms and Publications Request for Duplicate License form or, send a short note to our office including your name and permanent ID number, letting us know whether your pocket card is lost or destroyed and request a duplicate. Include a check for $10 made out to the "State of Michigan - Real Estate" and mail to Bureau of Commercial Services, Real Estate Licensing, P. O. Box 30243, Lansing, MI 48909.  

Can I get my pocket card mailed to my home address?

No. Brokers are responsible for supervising their salespersons and associate brokers. When the broker receives the pocket card, employment of the salesperson or associate broker is verified before final delivery.

I'm moving and need the department to verify the good standing of my real estate license so I can apply in my new home state.  What do I do?

Select Request for Certification of Licensure/Registration [Good Standing] from the Forms and Publications and follow the instructions.  If you cannot download the form, we can either mail you one or you can submit a request in writing to:  Department of Labor & Economic Growth, P.O. Box 30243, Lansing, MI 48909.  The charge is $15.00 (check or money order payable to State of Michigan - Real Estate.  If you have questions, please call 517-241-9288.

I just became licensed in 2007, do I still need to take continuing education for this year?

Yes, every licensee is required to take a minimum of 2 hours of laws and rules continuing education every calendar year.  We recommend taking 6 hours of continuing education yearly to avoid having to take several classes at the end of the 3-year licensing cycle. In 2009, your continuing education must be completed by October 31st. A total of 18 hours of continuing education is required for renewal in 2009. 
Important:  There no longer exists a CE exemption during the first year your are licensed.

Can I take the same 6 hour continuing education courses three times and be able to renew on October 31, 2009?

No, you will only get credit once for taking a specific continuing education course-even if you take it more than once.  It is important that you keep a file with your continuing education certificates so that you can check them to make sure that you do not sign up for the same class twice.  You will also have proof that you took the class, if something goes wrong in the reporting process

How can I tell if the sponsor submitted proof to the Department showing that I have taken my continuing education?

If you go to our website at www.michigan.gov/realestate and under "Licensee Information" you need to click on "Check Real Estate CE Credits."  Then enter your 10-digit license number and press “submit”, click on your name, then click on continuing education to list any courses that have been applied toward your license.  The sponsor has 5 days to submit the verification of attendance form to the Department after the course was completed.
NOTE:  It is very important that you use your current, correct ten-digit I.D. number (Salespersons begin with 6501, Associate Brokers with 6502 and Individual Brokers with 6504)

Can I count the courses that I take during this three year license period toward my 18 hours of continuing education even though I used them it get relicensed?

No.  If you take any courses to get relicensed you will need to take additional hours of continuing education to renew your license October 31, 2009.  The number of hours needed at renewal depends upon what year your license was reissued.

See the Occupational Code, Section 2504(9) if you have questions.  Make sure that you don't complete the same continuing education courses over again (repeat courses) because you will only receive credit once.

If I sent in my application to become licensed but don't have a license number yet, can I take my continuing education course?

No, you will not get credit for taking a continuing education course before you are licensed.  You need to have a license I.D. number to give the CE Sponsor at the time you complete your CE courses.  

Applicant’s with lapsed licenses can take continuing education classes.  Provide the educator with your previous license I.D. number.

How do I find a list of approved courses?

Go to our website at www.michigan.gov/realestate, under “Licensee Information”, click on “Approved Real Estate CE Courses.” From there you can search for course by sponsor name, location, type of class, or class dates.  For additional information on continuing education, click on the “continuing education” link under “License Information.”