Beyond Discipline: Your Path Forward

The Final Part of an in-depth Five-Part series on the Complaint and Disciplinary Process in Regulatory Affairs.  See Part One “Navigating Complaints:  A How-To Guide” from the August 2024 eBulletin, Part Two “The Road Ahead: After the Investigation” from the September 2024 eBulletin, Part Three “Beneath the Surface: The Pre-Hearing Process” from the October 2024 eBulletin, and Part Four “Inside the Hearing Room: A Closer Look” from the November 2024 eBulletin.

After a disciplinary action has been ordered or approved by the Commission, whether following a hearing or entering into a Consent Order, the Respondent receives a fully executed copy of the final order of the Commission. An order may include a conditional disciplinary sanction that requires a compliance review by Commission staff. During this phase, the focus is on ensuring that the Respondent has complied with any and all terms and conditions set by the Commission by the stated deadline.

A common term and condition of an order requires a Respondent to complete certain real estate education courses. No continuing education credit is earned for the completion of courses used to satisfy a disciplinary order by the Commission.  A Respondent may be required to complete the Commission’s Issues and Answers in NC Real Estate Practice Courses. This Course is in high demand and only offered approximately six times per year at the Commission’s offices in Raleigh. The Course is taught by Commission staff and fills up quickly. It is advised to sign-up as soon as possible to ensure compliance by the stated deadline. Other education course requirements may focus on topics such as material facts, agency, or square footage.  For information concerning approved education providers, schedules, and locations, a Respondent may consult the continuing education schedule posted on the Real Estate Commission’s website.

All terms and conditions must be completed by the stated deadline in the Order. If a Respondent fails to meet the terms and conditions stated in the Order, the disciplinary sanction prescribed in the Order will immediately and automatically become effective on the date stated in the Order. If a Respondent meets all terms and conditions of the Order, the conditional sanction stated in the Order becomes effective and the Respondent receives a Conditional Disciplinary Action Compliance Report (“Compliance Report”) stating the final sanction. The Compliance Report also contains important information regarding next steps including any applicable license reinstatement fees and activation requirements.  The Commission prints a summary of its disciplinary actions in its online publication, the Real Estate eBulletin, which is distributed electronically to each licensee.  If you have questions about the Disciplinary Process, please call the Regulatory Affairs Division at (919) 719-9180.