The Washington times., 1929-10-12
REALTY LICENSE
.. REQUISITES
, LISTED

Qualifications and requirements
9necessary to obtain a real estate
.license under the provisions of the
sproposed real estate brokers' license
law, are some of the aspects of this
legislation which offer the citizens
of Washington a definite measure
Of protection not enjoyed by them
now.
The provision which prevents the
commission from issuing a license
to any person who cannot read,
write and understand the English
language is not only reasonable but
necessary when the importance of
handling real estate transactions is
considered. Heretofore Washington
has never had protection in this
respect. In addition to this quail.
fication the commission cannot issue
q license until 1t has received salts
factory proof that the applicant is
trustworthy and competent to tran
'sact the business of a real estate
broker or real estate salesman
In such a manner as to safeguard
the interests of the public.
Another provision of the law
Of a license to any individual, firm,
partnership. opartnerShip, assoCia-
tion, or corporation whose applica-
ton has been rejected in the
District of Columbia or any State
within six months prior to the date
of application. or whose real estate
license has been revoked in the
District of Columbia or any State
within two years prior to the date
Of application.
Form OF Application
Detailed provisions contained in
the law outline the form of appli-
cation to be used and the character
OF information it must contain for
the consideration of the commission
in issuing licenses. Further, The law
authorizes the commission, with due
regard to the paramount interest OF
the public, to require such additional
proof as shall be deemed desirable
to establish the honesty, truthful.
ness, integrity, responsibility and
competency of applicants.
Under the proposed law every APP
plication for a license as a real es-
tate broker or real estate salesman
must be in written form and sworn
to by the applicant. The application
of every individual must be accom-
panied by the recommendation OF
two residents of the District Of Co
lumbia, property owners, who have
owned real estate in the District of
Columbia for a period of at least
six months prior to the date Of ap
pliCa ton, and who have personally
known the applicant during the same
period. This recommendation shall
certify that the applicant bears a
good reputation for honesty, truth
fulness. fair dealing and competency
and specifically recommends that
license be granted to the applicant.
Must Give Complete Data
s An important feature of the pro-
vision of the law pertaining to ap-
'plications is the establishment of
"a rather comprehensive record of
the personnel engaged in the real
estate business. Every individual
applicant must supply complete in
formation as to his contracts with
the business during the five years
preceding date of application.
Names and addresses of all previous
employers and periods of employ
ment are required of every appi
cant for a salesman's license. as
we'll as the address of all places of
residence during the time specified
In cases of individual brokers,
members and officers of brokerage
firms. partnerships, opartnershipS
associations or corporations com
plete information is required in
respect to residence and all busl-
ness connections for the same pc
riod required of salesmn.
A bond in the sum of one thou
gard dollars, satisfactory to the
real estate commission, must &C.
company the application Of individ
ual brokers and statesmen. The
bond is conditioned on the appli-
cant conducting his business in ac-
cordance with the requirements
which are enumerated in the law.
Failure on the part Of any real
estate broker or real estate sales
man to so conduct his business
gives any aggrieved person, in ad
dition to a right of action against
such broker or salesman, the right
to recover any damages up to one
thousand dollars sustained by rea-
son of any act, representations,
transaction or pconduct prohibited
by the Act.
Apart from the general construc-
tive character of this legislation
the few features herein discussed.
specifically illustrate the protection
offered the public through the con
tro1 and supervision the real estate
commission exercise in issuing
licenses.