Licensing and Certification of Real Estate AppraisersAdministration
Section § 11310
The Governor appoints the Chief of the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers, who is responsible for managing the licensing and certification of real estate appraisers in California. This appointment is confirmed by the Senate, and the individual should be knowledgeable about real estate appraisal. The Chief works closely with the Governor and the Director of Consumer Affairs and can hire staff to support the Bureau's operations. Both the Chief's salary and staffing decisions are regulated, and the Chief must not be involved in any related business during their term. Additionally, the Chief can appoint deputies to help with duties, and these deputies can exercise the Chief's powers as directed.
Section § 11310.1
This law states that the main job of the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers is to protect the public. If there are conflicts between protecting the public and other goals, the public's safety and well-being should always come first.
Section § 11310.3
This law is all about making sure no one faces discrimination during a real estate property's appraisal process. To help with this, the bureau adds a checkbox on their complaint form where people can say if they think their property's value was appraised too low. They also collect some voluntary information, like if the complainant belongs to a group that's protected from discrimination. The bureau gathers data on complaints related to discrimination in real estate appraisals. The goal is to make the complaint form simple and easy to fill out. By July 1, 2024, the bureau has to report this information to the Legislature. They confirm the role of the complainant in the real estate transaction using provided contact details.
Section § 11313
This section states that the bureau is overseen by the Director of Consumer Affairs, while the chief is in charge of enforcing and managing the bureau's responsibilities. The chief can establish necessary rules to fulfill the bureau’s purpose, following specific procedures outlined in the government code. Existing regulations from the previous Director of the Bureau of Real Estate Appraisers still apply.
Section § 11314
Section § 11315
This law section empowers the director to issue citations with fines or orders against real estate licensees, applicants, course providers, or entities acting without required accreditation if they violate rules. Citations must specify violations, and can mandate corrective actions like education, with non-compliance potentially leading to license suspension. Fines can't be more than $10,000, and failure to pay fines may result in additional penalties, including affecting license renewals and accumulating interest or penalties. The affected party can request a hearing within 30 days to contest the citation. Collected fines contribute to the Real Estate Appraisers Regulation Fund.
Section § 11315.1
This law allows the director to issue fines or citations to individuals or businesses that violate registration requirements. A citation must clearly describe the violation and can include an order to fix the problem within a reasonable time. Fines cannot exceed $10,000 per violation, and factors like the seriousness of the violation are considered when determining the fine. If a person wants to contest the citation, they must request a hearing within 30 days. Failure to pay fines on time can lead to additional penalties and affect the renewal of their registration certificate. Fines and their interest can become civil judgments if not paid. All fines collected go into the Real Estate Appraisers Regulation Fund.
Section § 11315.3
This law says that even if your professional license or registration expires, is forfeited, or suspended, whether automatically or by a legal decision, the licensing office can still take disciplinary actions against you during the time it can be renewed or reinstated. This means you might still face consequences like suspension or revocation of your license based on violations, regardless of its current status.
Section § 11315.5
This law allows a specific office, at the director's discretion, to settle any claims of violating certain regulations whenever it's considered beneficial for the public. These settlements can have various conditions, like fixing the violation or qualifying the involved person or organization within a certain time frame. This includes anyone needing a license or certification, such as appraisers or course providers.
Section § 11316
This section allows the director to fine people or companies who need licenses or course provider accreditations if they violate related rules. If a fine isn't paid in 30 days, there could be disciplinary action, extra charges, and interest. Unpaid fines may be added to license renewal fees, and licenses can't be renewed until everything is paid. Any fine not paid within 30 days after a final order becomes a legal judgment. Fines are in addition to other penalties and are collected into a specific fund.
Section § 11317
This law requires that a summary of disciplinary actions, like resignations due to investigations, be published by the office. However, any private warnings or reprimands should stay confidential and not include identifying details.
Section § 11317.2
This section of the Business and Professions Code requires the bureau to put information about licenses and registrations, including suspensions and revocations, on the internet. They cannot post personal details like birthdates and Social Security numbers. Licensees can offer an alternate address for public record, though they may need to provide a physical address for bureau use. Private reprovals and warnings are kept confidential. Licensees can petition to have certain disciplinary records removed after 10 years, except in cases of revocation or voluntary surrender. If successful, the bureau must update and share a list of altered records with other licensing bodies. Similarly, family members of deceased licensees may request removal of discipline records from the internet. Fees and specific requirements for petitions will be set by regulations.
Section § 11318
Section § 11319
This law essentially sets the minimum professional standards for appraisers in California, requiring them to adhere to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice. However, up until January 1, 2020, appraisers were allowed some flexibility with restricted appraisal reports if they got the client's consent, and the report was not part of certain transactions like federal real estate deals or home purchases. The report must clearly list all intended users and contain disclaimers about the need for more information and the possible impact of unverifiable assumptions on the appraised value.
Section § 11319.2
If a person with a business license or registration is convicted of a felony and sent to jail, their license or registration is automatically suspended during their incarceration. If the crime is related to their professional duties, their license could stay suspended even after jail time. Certain serious crimes will always be considered related, skipping some hearing steps. If the conviction is overturned, the suspension ends. Disciplinary measures can be taken after the conviction is confirmed, but a licensee can choose to address penalties earlier. Evidence from the conviction hearing can be used, and this process is unique from other disciplinary procedures.