How COVID-19 is Affecting the Real Estate Licensing Process


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The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has created some uncertainty in the real estate licensing process. While the overall process has not changed, there may be delays to state testing and licensing. 

Our exceptional customer experience team has seen an increase in questions pertaining to real estate license exam scheduling and the availability of real estate boards to review license applications. We’re also getting questions about whether there will be any interruption to AceableAgent real estate classes or services during this time.

First, we can assure you that all AceableAgent real estate courses are still open and functioning normally. Thanks to our online format, we don’t foresee any difficulty continuing to provide top-quality real estate education. And our customer experience team is still available remotely to answer all your questions and provide the level of service you’ve come to expect from AceableAgent! 

This post will cover the most common questions currently being fielded by our customer experience team. We’ll also provide state-specific information to keep you informed at a local level.  

While the COVID-19 situation is evolving daily, we will do our best to guide you to the most up-to-date resources. 

Are real estate classes still open at AceableAgent?

Absolutely! AceableAgent offers online courses that can be completed from your home office, your laptop, your tablet, and even your cell phone. There’s no need to risk contact to complete your real estate education. 

If you’re already enrolled with AceableAgent, your coursework will proceed without interruption. If you’ve been thinking about starting your real estate education, rest assured, our courses will continue as planned.   

And if you’ve been taking on-campus real estate classes through a college, university, or other real estate schools, and your real estate education has now been disrupted due to cancelled classes, we can help. 

Contact our customer service team at 855-637-1886 to discuss your course options with AceableAgent. 

Our support team hours have undergone a slight adjustment, please refer to our Help Center Contact Us Page for our most up to date hours of operation. 

What if my state real estate exam is canceled or postponed?

We know you’re anxious to pass your real estate exam. Unfortunately, as most state exams are still proctored in-person, exam providers have been forced to cancel or postpone exam sessions in the short-term. 

Please understand this is for your safety and the safety of your community. You will be able to reschedule your exam. And exam providers are not enforcing any fees for canceling or rescheduling the exam.    

National exam providers are allowing you to reschedule your canceled exam appointments now. You can reschedule by phone, but because exam providers are experiencing abnormally high call volume due to virus-related questions, your better bet is to reschedule online, using your provider’s web portal. 

Here are additional details for specific exam providers:

PSI Exams

PSI has closed testing centers nation-wide from March 19, 2020 until at least April 13, 2020. This period may be extended depending on how quickly the virus is spreading at that point.

For up-to-date information, and to learn more about PSI closures in your area, please visit the PSI Coronavirus Updates page.

Pearson VUE Exams

Pearson VUE has closed testing centers nation-wide from March 17, 2020 until at least April 16, 2020. This period may be extended depending on how quickly the virus is spreading at that point. 

Pearson VUE has created a Coronavirus Updates page to keep you informed of changing conditions.

Can I get an extension if I cannot complete my courses or exam in time?

We know you’re on a state-mandated deadline to complete your real estate education and pass your exam in a set period of time. Your state board is aware of this as well and understands these necessary delays. Many state boards are still in the process of creating extension procedures to address this unprecedented and unavoidable interruption. Please scroll down to our state-by-state section for state-specific information.   

Can I still apply for my real estate license if I’ve already passed my state exam?

Yes! If you’ve passed your state exam, you can submit your license application to your state board for processing. The processing time may be delayed if your state board is temporarily closed, but at least they will have your application in the queue for review when business returns to normal.

Are there procedures for how real estate businesses should operate during the pandemic?

Yes! The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) has created a Coronavirus Guide to help agents operate safely through the pandemic. These guidelines are careful to consider and address possible perceived fair housing issues due to changes in operations. 

Keep in mind that your state regulations may be more strict than the NAR guidelines. If your governor has called on non-essential businesses to temporarily cease operations (and deemed real estate as non-essential), please respect your state rules and operate accordingly. 

CDC Guidelines for Staying Safe

The national Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has published general Coronavirus guidelines to help you and your loved ones stay safe and healthy through the pandemic. 

State Specific COVID-19 Resources

As more information comes in, we will be updating this state list to help better inform you of any changes to your real estate education requirements.

These changes include course and exam extensions, proctoring, requirements, and any other information that relates to these and similar matters.

California 

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Executive Order N-33-20 requires California residents to remain home unless making necessary trips to the grocery store, doctor, or pharmacy. Only workers whose job is to “maintain continuity of operations of critical infrastructure” may work outside the home. This order is in effect until further notice.

For this reason, all Department of Real Estate (DRE) offices are closed to the public (although they are still operational via phone, email, and their eLicensing portal) and all license exams scheduled through at least April 7, 2020 have been canceled.

Examinees affected by these cancelations will be notified by email and will be allowed to reschedule their canceled exam dates using DRE's eLicensing system. You can find up-to-date information on the DRE homepage

Florida

The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation has granted extensions for license renewals and continuing education requirements. These extensions apply to all March and April 2020 deadlines and push the deadline back by 30 days. The existing extension may be extended further as needed. Late fees will be waived during this period.

You can find up-to-date information on the DBPR Real Estate Commission page.

Georgia

The Georgia Real Estate Commission (GREC) has been notified that PSI will close all Georgia Test Centers from March 20, 2020 through at least April 12, 2020. Exams can be rescheduled through PSI.

You can find up-to-date information on the GREC homepage.

Michigan

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) has not yet provided updated Coronavirus policies. Updates are expected to appear on the News Releases page of their website.

New York

Governor Cuomo has put the state of New York on pause until further notice, requiring residents to remain home unless making necessary trips to the grocery store, doctor, or pharmacy. Only essential service workers may work outside the home. This order is in effect until further notice.

The New York Department of State has not yet provided updated Coronavirus policies. Updates are expected to appear on their website.

Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania Real Estate Commission has not yet provided updated Coronavirus policies. Updates are expected to appear on their website.

Texas

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) has notified applicants that real estate testing by Pearson VUE is currently unavailable until at least April 16, 2020 (subject to further delays depending on short-term developments).   

You can find up-to-date information on the TREC COVID-19 FAQ page.

Virginia

The Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) has notified applicants that real estate testing by PSI is temporarily unavailable until at least April 13, 2020 (subject to further delays depending on short-term developments). 

Updates are expected to appear on the Real Estate Board page of their website.

Washington

The Washington Department of Licensing (DOL) has not yet provided updated Coronavirus policies. Updates are expected to appear on the Updates page of their website.

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