CAN A DUI STOP YOU FROM BECOMING A REAL ESTATE AGENT?
With some of the highest housing costs in the country, the Greater Los Angeles and South Bay areas are great places to become a real estate agent.
The median list price of a home in Southern California is $748,000! With the average take home commission of 1.5% for the real estate agent, the $11,200 is a good chunk of money for one sale.
What happens if you want to get in on the real estate scene and you have a DUI?
Can your real estate license be denied if you have a DUI charge or a DUI on your record?
What if you’re studying for your real estate salesperson license and you get arrested for DUI? Can your license be denied?
A PENDING DUI OR DUI CONVICTION CAN LEAD TO A LICENSE DENIAL
There are some requirements to obtain a license from the California Department of Real Estate. First, you must be at least 18 years old. Secondly you must be completely “honest and truthful.”
In some cases, you may be denied a license because you were convicted of a certain crime in the past. For more information about how to remove criminal records, click here for expungement information.
Most importantly, if you fail “to disclose any criminal violation or disciplinary action in… (your) entire history,” you could also be denied a real estate license. (California Department of Real Estate)
Honesty is definitely going to be your best policy. Even if an arrest just occurred, it is in your interest to disclose it. For example, the application form states that “pending criminal charges must be disclosed.” (California Department of Real Estate)
To summarize, a DUI conviction may lead to a rejected application for a California real estate license. The circumstances around the case will determine whether or not a license is granted. One concern for repeat DUI offenders is that real estate agents sometimes drive buyers to look at home listings.
If you have specific questions about your criminal history and real estate license eligibility, please contact Don Hammond, Criminal Defense Hero immediately. We believe in second chances and helping people return to full members of their communities. We want to help you get the best opportunities to succeed.
