There is a newer version of the North Dakota Century Code
2009 North Dakota Code
43 Occupations and Professions
43-23 State Real Estate Commission
Download pdfgovernor. The commission shall organize by the election of a chairman. 43-23-02. Commission - Term - Duties - Records. The governor shall appoint each member of the commission for a term of five years. Terms must be staggered so the term of one
member expires each year. At the expiration of the term of any member of the commission, the
governor shall appoint a successor for a term of five years. In the event of a vacancy on the
commission for any reason the governor shall appoint a member for the unexpired term of that
member. A majority of the commission, in a duly assembled meeting, may perform and exercise all of the duties and powers devolving on the commission. The commission may submit a biennial
report to the governor and the secretary of state in accordance with section 54-06-04. The commission shall adopt a seal with North Dakota real estate commission engraved on the seal, by which it shall authenticate its proceedings. Copies of all records and papers in
the office of the commission, duly certified and authenticated by the seal of such commission,
must be received in evidence in all courts equally and with like effect as the original. 43-23-03. Commission office - Executive director. The commission shall employ an executive director who shall furnish bond as required by the commission and who shall keep a
record of all proceedings, transactions, communications, and official acts of the commission, be
custodian of all moneys received for licenses which must, by the executive director, be deposited
for safekeeping in depositories designated by the commission. The executive director must be
custodian of all records of the commission and perform such other duties as the commission may
require. The commission is authorized to fix the salary of the executive director, to employ such
other employees as may be necessary to properly carry out the provisions of this chapter, to fix
salaries and prescribe duties of such employees and to make such other expenditures as are
necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. The commission shall meet annually and
upon call by the executive director upon a written request of three or more members of the
commission. The place of meeting of the said commission must be at the office of the executive
director. The location of the office of the executive director must be at such places within the
state as the commission may designate. The commission shall maintain all files, records, and
property of the commission at the office of the executive director. 43-23-04. Commission - Compensation. The members of the commission shall receive fifty dollars for each day actually engaged in the service of the commission and must be
paid actual and necessary traveling expenses to be paid only from the fund derived from fees
collected in the administration of this chapter. All moneys or fees collected or received by the
commission must be deposited and disbursed in accordance with section 54-44-12. 43-23-05. Real estate license required. No person may act as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson, or advertise or assume to act as such real estate broker or real estate
salesperson, without a license issued by the real estate commission. No person is entitled to
collect any fees, compensation, or commission as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson
without having first complied with the provisions of this chapter. No copartnership, association,
corporation, or limited liability company may be granted a license, unless at least one partner,
shareholder, member, manager, or officer of the copartnership, association, corporation, or
limited liability company, actually engaged as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson as
defined herein, holds a license as a real estate broker, and unless every employee who acts as a
real estate salesperson for such copartnership, association, corporation, or limited liability
company holds a license as a real estate salesperson. Page No. 1 43-23-05.1. Organization of salesperson or broker associate permitted to be licensed - Fees. 1. The commission may license an organization of a salesperson or broker associate if: a. The organization is owned solely by an individual who is licensed as a
salesperson or broker associate, or by that individual and that individual's
spouse, or by that individual and other salespersons and broker associates
within the same firm as that individual; b. The organization does not engage in any real estate transactions as a
third-party agent or in any other capacity requiring a license under this chapter;
and c. The organization does not advertise or otherwise portray to the public that the
organization is a real estate broker or real estate brokerage firm. 2. The employing or associating broker of a salesperson or broker associate who is
part of an organization is not relieved of any obligation to supervise the employed or
associated salesperson or broker associate or of any other requirements under this
chapter. 3. An individual who forms an organization is not by nature of that act relieved of any
personal liability for licensed activities. 4. The commission may adopt rules establishing a one-time license fee for an
organization licensed by a salesperson or broker associate. 43-23-06. Definitions. Repealed by S.L. 1977, ch. 405, § 2. 43-23-06.1. Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. "Appointed agent" means a licensee appointed by a designated broker of the
licensee's real estate brokerage firm to act solely for a client of that brokerage firm to
the exclusion of other licensees of that brokerage firm. 2. "Client" means a person who has entered into a written agency agreement with a
real estate brokerage firm. 3. "Commission" means the North Dakota real estate commission. 4. "Designated broker" means a licensee designated by a real estate brokerage firm to
act on behalf of the brokerage firm. 5. "Dual agency" means a situation in which a real estate brokerage firm, or its
licensees, owe a duty to more than one party in a real estate transaction. Dual
agency is established only as follows: a. When one licensee represents both the buyer and the seller in a real estate
transaction; or b. When two or more licensees, licensed to the same broker, each represents a
party to the real estate transaction. "Dual agency" does not exist unless both the seller and the buyer in a real estate
transaction have written agency agreements with the same real estate brokerage
firm. For purposes of "dual agency" a subagency arrangement is not a written agency agreement. Page No. 2 6. "Person" includes individuals, corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships,
trusts, associations, cooperatives, or other firms or entities, foreign or domestic. 7. "Real estate", "real property", "realty", or words of like import, means any interest or
estate in land, including leaseholds, whether such interest or estate is corporeal,
incorporeal, freehold, or nonfreehold, and whether situated in this state or
elsewhere; provided, however, that the meaning as used in this chapter does not
include oil, gas, or mineral leases, nor does it include any other mineral leasehold,
mineral estate, or mineral interest of any nature whatsoever. 8. "Real estate broker", or "broker", means any person who, for another, for a fee,
commission, salary, or other consideration, or with the intention or expectation of
receiving or collecting such compensation from another, engages in or offers or
attempts to engage in, either directly or indirectly by a continuing course of conduct
or by a single act or transaction, any of the following acts: a. Lists, offers, attempts, or agrees to list real estate or any interest therein, or any
improvements affixed thereon for sale, exchange, or lease. b. Sells, exchanges, purchases, or leases real estate or any interest therein, or
any improvements affixed thereon. c. Offers to sell, exchange, purchase, or lease real estate or any interest therein,
or any improvements affixed thereon. d. Negotiates, or offers, attempts, or agrees to negotiate the sale, exchange,
purchase, or leasing of real estate or any interest therein, or any improvements
affixed thereon. e. Buys, sells, offers to buy or sell, or otherwise deals in options on real estate or
any interest therein, or any improvements thereon. f. Who is a licensee under this chapter and performs any of the acts set out in this
subsection while acting in the licensee's own behalf. g. Advertises or holds out as being engaged in the business of buying, selling,
exchanging, or leasing of real estate or any interest therein, or any
improvements thereon. h. Assists or directs in the procuring of prospects, calculated to result in the sale,
exchange, or leasing of real estate or any interest therein, or any improvements
thereon. 9. "Real estate brokerage firm" means a person that is providing real estate brokerage
services through that person's licensees and which is licensed by the commission as
a real estate brokerage firm. 10. "Real estate salesperson" means any person who for a fee, compensation, salary, or
other consideration, or in the expectation or upon the promise thereof, is employed
or engaged by a licensed real estate broker to do any act or deal in any transaction
as provided in subsection 5 for or on behalf of such licensed real estate broker. 43-23-07. Real estate brokers and salespersons - Exceptions. The term "real estate broker" or "real estate salesperson" does not include: 1. Any person, partnership, association, corporation, or limited liability company who is
a bona fide owner or lessor or who accepts or markets leasehold interests in
residential or agricultural property and performs any of the aforesaid acts with
reference to property owned or leased by them, nor does it apply to regular Page No. 3 employees thereof, when the acts are performed in the regular course of or as an
incident to the management of the property and the investment therein. 2. An attorney at law, admitted to practice in this state, handling sales of real estate in
the course of estate or guardianship administration in district court, or trust
administration, bankruptcy proceedings, receiverships, or like actions subject to
approval by a court of competent jurisdiction, or sales of real estate arising in the
usual course of the practice of law. 3. Any person selling real estate as an auctioneer, provided the sale is advertised as a
bona fide public auction. 4. Any bank or trust company or any of its officers or employees in the performance of
their duties as an officer or employee of the bank or trust company. 5. Any person holding in good faith a duly executed power of attorney from the owner,
authorizing a final consummation and execution for the sale, purchase, lease, or
exchange of real estate when such acts are not of a recurrent nature and done with
the intention of evading this section. 6. Any person while acting as a receiver, trustee, administrator, executor, guardian, or
under court order, or while acting under authority of a deed, trust, or will. 7. Public officers while performing their duties. 43-23-08. License standards. 1. Licenses and the renewals thereof may be granted only to persons who bear a good
reputation for honesty, truthfulness, and fair dealing and who are competent to
transact the business of a real estate broker or a real estate salesperson in such
manner as to safeguard the interest of the public, and whose real estate license has
not been revoked in this or any other state within two years prior to date of
application. To determine the competency of applicants, the commission shall prescribe and hold examinations at designated times and places. 2. In addition to the requirements established by subsection 1, an applicant for a
broker's or salesperson's license must be at least eighteen years of age. 3. Every applicant for a license as a real estate broker: a. Shall have been actively engaged as a licensed real estate salesperson for a
period of at least one year preceding the date of application, which, beginning
July 1, 1979, is increased to two years; or b. Shall have had experience as determined by the commission to be
substantially equal to that which a licensed real estate salesperson would
ordinarily receive during a period of one year, which, beginning July 1, 1979, is
increased to two years. 4. As a prerequisite for licensure, an applicant for a salesperson's license shall furnish
to the commission evidence the applicant has successfully completed at least
forty-five hours in courses of study approved by the commission. Within one year
after initial licensure as a salesperson, the salesperson's broker shall furnish to the
commission evidence of the salesperson's successful completion of fifteen
postlicensure hours in courses of study approved by the commission. An applicant
for a broker's license must have successfully completed an additional sixty hours in
courses of study approved by the commission. An applicant for a salesperson's
license may take the licensing examination before fulfillment of the prerequisite
educational requirement; however, the commission may not issue a salesperson's Page No. 4 license to an applicant unless satisfactory evidence of completion of this prerequisite
educational requirement is furnished to the commission. An applicant for a broker's
license must have satisfactorily fulfilled the educational requirement before taking
the broker's licensing examination. 5. If the commission finds that an applicant could not acquire employment as a
licensed real estate salesperson because of conditions existing in the area where
the salesperson resides, then the experience requirements established in
subdivisions a and b of subsection 3 may be waived by the commission. The educational requirements of subsection 4 may not be waived by the commission, but
guidelines may be established whereby applicants who have engaged in certain
educational courses of study which are closely related to the real estate profession
may be deemed to have satisfied this requirement. 6. The commission may adopt reasonable rules and regulations pursuant to the
provisions of chapter 28-32 relative to procedures for licensing, approval of
coursework, and for the type of certification or proof of coursework completion that
must be submitted. 43-23-08.1. Conviction not bar to licensure - Exceptions. Conviction of an offense does not disqualify a person from licensure under this chapter unless the commission determines
that the offense has a direct bearing upon a person's ability to serve the public as a real estate
broker or salesperson, or that, following conviction of any offense, the person is not sufficiently
rehabilitated under section 12.1-33-02.1. 43-23-08.2. License renewal - Continuing education required. 1. The commission may establish the conditions under which each applicant for
renewal of a broker's or salesperson's license, in addition to the requirements of
section 43-23-08, shall submit proof of participation in approved continuing
education. In establishing the conditions for continuing education, the commission
may determine the required number of hours, the frequency and conditions of
reporting requirements, and all other terms and conditions of continuing education
compliance. The commission shall set standards for the approval of lectures, seminars, courses of instruction, and correspondence courses that qualify for
satisfaction of this requirement, and shall maintain a current list of lectures,
seminars, courses of instruction, and correspondence courses so approved.
Lectures, seminars, courses of instruction, and correspondence courses may not
require passing of a test to qualify for satisfaction of this requirement. Licensees
must have the option of attending an approved course of instruction in person or
taking an approved correspondence course. Attendance at a course or the completion of a correspondence course must be documented in accordance with
procedures established by the commission. The commission may adopt rules concerning implementation of this section pursuant to chapter 28-32. 2. A license may not be renewed by the commission unless the proper certification
showing fulfillment of the continuing education requirements of this section and the
appropriate licensing fees are submitted to the commission in accordance with
section 43-23-13.1. 3. The commission may exempt licensees from the continuing education requirements
of this section for reasons relating to the licensee's health, military service, or for
other good cause. Licensees who have held a real estate license for fifteen continuous years on January 1, 1984, are exempt from the requirements of this
section. 43-23-08.3. Disclosure of sexual offenders. A licensee is not liable for any action resulting from any disclosure or nondisclosure relating to the registration of sexual offenders
under section 12.1-32-15. Page No. 5 43-23-08.4. Criminal history record checks. The commission may require an applicant for licensure or a licensee whose licensure is subject to investigation by the
commission to submit to a statewide and nationwide criminal history record check. The nationwide criminal history record check must be conducted in the manner provided by section
12-60-24. All costs associated with obtaining a background check are the responsibility of the
applicant or licensee. 43-23-09. License application. Every application for a real estate broker's license or a real estate salesperson's license must be in writing upon blanks prepared by the commission and
contain such data and information as the commission may require. 43-23-10. Nonresident brokers - Reciprocity - Consent to service. A nonresident broker regularly engaged in the real estate business as a vocation and who maintains a definite
place of business and is licensed in some other state, which offers the same privileges to the
licensed brokers of this state, may not be required to maintain a place of business within this
state. The commission shall recognize the license issued to a real estate broker by another state
as satisfactorily qualifying the nonresident broker for license as a broker; provided, that the
nonresident broker has qualified for license in the broker's own state and also that the other state
permits licenses to be issued to licensed brokers in this state. Every nonresident applicant shall
file an irrevocable consent that suits and actions may be commenced against such applicant in
the proper court of any county of the state in which a claim for relief may arise, in which the
plaintiff may reside, by the service of any process or pleading authorized by the laws of this state,
on any member of the commission, or the executive director, said consent stipulating and
agreeing that such service of such process or pleading shall be taken and held in all courts to be
as valid and binding as if due service had been made upon said applicant in this state. The
consent must be duly acknowledged. Any service of process or pleading must be by duplicate
copies, one of which must be filed in the office of the commission and the other immediately
forwarded by registered mail to the last-known main office of the applicant against whom said
process or pleading is directed, and no default in any such proceedings or action may be taken
except upon affidavit or certificate of the commission or the executive director, that a copy of said
process or pleading was mailed to the defendant as herein required, and no judgment by default
may be taken in any such action or proceeding until after thirty days from the date of mailing of
such process or pleading to the nonresident defendant. 43-23-11. License refusal, revocation - Hearing - Appeal. Repealed by S.L. 1973, ch. 357, § 2. 43-23-11.1. Investigations, grounds for refusal, suspension or revocation of license - Hearing - Appeal. 1. The commission upon its own motion may, and upon the verified complaint in writing
of any person shall, investigate the activities of any licensee or any person who
assumes to act in such capacity within the state, and has the power to suspend or
revoke a license, impose a monetary fine and actual costs incurred by the
commission in the investigation and prosecution of the complaint, require course
attendance, or issue a letter of reprimand, or any combination thereof, when the
licensee, in performing or attempting to perform any of the acts included within the
scope of this chapter, has performed one or more of the following: a. Making a material false statement in the licensee's application for a license or
in any information furnished to the commission. b. Making any substantial and willful misrepresentation with reference to a real
estate transaction which is injurious to any party. c. Making any false promise of a character such as to influence, persuade, or
induce a party to a real estate transaction to that person's injury or damage. Page No. 6 d. Acting for more than one party in a transaction without the knowledge and
consent of all parties to that transaction for whom the licensee acts. e. Failure to account for or to remit, within a reasonable time, any moneys coming
into the licensee's possession belonging to others; commingling funds of others
with the licensee's own, failing to keep such funds of others in an escrow or
trust account with a bank or other recognized depository in this state, or
keeping records relative to the deposit, which must contain such information as
may be prescribed by the rules and regulations of the commission relative
thereto. f. Been convicted or pleaded guilty or nolo contendere before any court of any
felony, or of a misdemeanor involving theft, forgery, embezzlement, obtaining
money under false pretenses, bribery, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud,
or other similar offense. A certified copy of the record of conviction is conclusive evidence of conviction in such cases. g. Claiming or taking of any secret or undisclosed amount of compensation or
commission or the failure of a licensee to reveal to the licensee's principal or
employer the full amount of such licensee's compensation or commission in
connection with any acts for which a license is required under this chapter. h. Failing or refusing upon demand to produce any document, book, or record in
the licensee's possession or under that person's control, concerning any real
estate transaction under investigation by the commission. i. Offering real property for sale or lease without the knowledge and consent of
the owner or the owner's authorized agent or on any terms other than those
authorized by the owner or agent. j. Refusing, because of race, color, national origin, or ethnic group, to show, sell,
lease, or rent any real estate to prospective renters, lessees, or purchasers. k. Failing or refusing upon demand to furnish copies of any document pertaining
to any transaction dealing with real estate to any person whose signature is
affixed thereto. l. Paying compensation or commission in connection with any real estate sale,
lease, or other transaction to any person who is not licensed as a real estate
broker or real estate salesperson under this chapter. m. Failing to disclose to an owner the licensee's intention or true position if the
licensee directly or indirectly through a third party purchases for the licensee or
acquires or intends to acquire any interest in or any option to purchase property
which has been listed with the licensee's office for sale or lease. n. Failure to include a fixed date of expiration in any written listing agreement and
failure to leave a copy of such agreement with the principal. o. Failure by a broker to deliver to the party or parties represented by the broker a
complete detailed closing statement in every real estate transaction, at the time
said transaction is consummated, showing all of the receipts and disbursements handled by such broker for the party or parties represented by
the broker, and to retain true copies of such statements in the broker's files. p. Violating any provisions of this chapter or rule or regulation promulgated by the
commission. Page No. 7 q. Violation of any provision of such realtor's code of ethics as the commission
has or may promulgate and adopt. r. Accepting a commission or valuable consideration as a real estate salesperson
for the performance of any of the acts specified in this chapter, or by rule or
regulation of the commission, from any person except the licensed real estate
broker under whom the individual is licensed as a salesperson. s. If the licensee is a broker, allowing any unlicensed salesperson to do any act or
engage in any activity regulated by this chapter or under rule or regulation of
the commission, which is carried on in the name of or under the authority of the
broker. t. Failure of a salesperson to place with that person's employing broker for
deposit in the brokerage trust account all real estate trust moneys received by
the salesperson within twenty-four hours of the time of receipt; or failure of the
employing broker to place such moneys for deposit within twenty-four hours of
the time of receipt from the salesperson. Provided that if trust money is received on a day prior to a holiday or on another day prior to which the
depository is closed where the trust fund is maintained, the moneys must then
be deposited during the next business day of the depository. u. Failure of the licensee to reduce an offer to writing when a proposed purchaser
requests that such offer be submitted to the seller, or failure of the licensee to
submit all offers to a seller when such offers are received prior to the seller
accepting an offer in writing and until the broker has knowledge of such
acceptance. v. Any other conduct, whether of the same or of a different character than
specified in this subsection, which constitutes dishonesty or fraudulent conduct,
whether arising within or without the pursuit of that person's licensed privilege. w. Any conduct which in the determination of the commission does not meet the
generally accepted standard of expertise, care, or professional ability expected
of real estate brokers or salespersons, provided that any disciplinary measures
by the commission under this subdivision must be limited to the issuance of a
letter of reprimand to the offending licensee. 2. If the commission declines or fails to approve an application submitted to it, it shall
immediately give notice of that fact to the applicant, and upon request from such
applicant, filed within twenty days after the receipt of such notice, shall fix a time and
place for hearing, of which twenty days' notice must be given to such applicant and
to other persons interested or protesting, to offer evidence relating to the application.
In such cases the commission shall fix the time for such hearing on a date within
sixty days from receipt of the request for the particular hearing, provided the time of
hearing may be continued from time to time with the consent of the applicant. As a
result of such hearing, the commission may either approve the application if all other
applicable provisions of this chapter have been met, and permit the applicant to take
the examination to determine whether the applicant shall be licensed, or it may
sustain its prior decision refusing to approve the application. 3. A license may not be revoked or suspended, a monetary fine or actual costs may
not be imposed, course attendance may not be required, nor any letter of reprimand
issued except after hearing before the commission with a copy of the charges having
been duly served upon the licensee and upon sustaining of the charges for
suspension, revocation, fine, payment of actual costs incurred, required course
attendance, or reprimand. The provisions of chapter 28-32 apply to and govern all
proceedings for suspension, revocation, fine, payment of actual costs incurred,
required course attendance, or reprimand of licenses or licensees. Page No. 8 4. In any order or decision issued by the commission in resolution of a disciplinary
proceeding in which disciplinary action is imposed against a licensee, the
commission may direct the licensee to pay a fine not to exceed two thousand five
hundred dollars and actual costs, including attorney's fees, incurred by the
commission in the investigation and prosecution of the case. All fines collected must
be deposited in the commission's license fee account. 43-23-12. Broker's place of business - License of employed salesperson. 1. Every person, partnership, association, corporation, or limited liability company
licensed as a real estate broker is required to have and maintain a definite place of
business within this state, for the transaction of real estate business. The certificate
of registration as broker and the certificate of each real estate salesperson employed
by such broker must be prominently displayed in said office. The said place of business must be designated in the license, and no license issued under the
authority of this chapter may authorize the licensee to transact business at any other
address. In case of removal from the designated address, the licensee shall make
application to the commission before said removal or within ten days after said
removal, designating the new location of such office, whereupon the commission
shall forthwith issue a new license for the new location for the unexpired period. The
broker's home may qualify as such place of business. 2. All licenses issued to real estate salespersons shall designate the employer of such
salespersons. Prompt notice in writing, within ten days, must be given to the commission by any real estate salesperson of a change of employer, and of the
name of the licensed broker into whose employ the salesperson is about to enter,
and a new license shall thereupon be issued by the commission to such salesperson
for the unexpired term of the original license, upon the return to the commission of
the license previously issued. The change of employer or employment by any licensed real estate salesperson, without notice to the commission as aforesaid,
shall automatically cancel that person's license. Upon termination of a real estate
salesperson's employment, the broker employer shall forthwith return the
salesperson's license to the commission for cancellation. It is unlawful for any real
estate salesperson to perform any of the acts contemplated by this chapter either
directly or indirectly after that person's employment has been terminated and license
as a salesperson has been returned for cancellation, until said license has been
reissued by the commission. 43-23-12.1. Real estate brokerage firm - Duties required. A real estate brokerage firm and its licensees, that provide services through a written agency agreement for a client, are
bound to that client by the duties of loyalty, obedience, disclosure, confidentiality, reasonable
care, diligence, and accounting, subject to the provisions of this chapter and subject to any rules
adopted under this chapter. The agency may be a seller agent, a buyer agent, or a subagent, or,
if a different relationship between the real estate brokerage firm and the person for whom the real
estate brokerage firm performs the services is intended, including a dual agent, the relationship
must be disclosed. 43-23-12.2. Duties supersede common law. 1. The duties of a real estate brokerage firm, and the firm's licensees, as specified in
this chapter or in rules adopted to implement this chapter, supersede any fiduciary
duties of that real estate brokerage firm and the firm's licensees, to a person based
on common-law principles of agency to the extent that those common-law fiduciary
duties are inconsistent with the duties specified in this chapter or in rules adopted to
implement this chapter. 2. A client is not liable for a wrongful act, an error, an omission, or a misrepresentation
made by a licensee in connection with the licensee providing brokerage services for
the client, including brokerage services provided under a subagency relationship, Page No. 9 unless the client knows or should have known of the wrongful act, error, omission, or
misrepresentation or unless the licensee is repeating a misrepresentation made by
the client. This subsection supersedes any conflicting common-law duty of the client. 3. A real estate brokerage firm that is providing brokerage services to a client is not
liable for a wrongful act, an error, an omission, or a misrepresentation made by the
client, listing agent of another real estate brokerage firm, or subagent of another real
estate brokerage firm, unless the real estate brokerage firm knew or should have
known of the wrongful act, error, omission, or misrepresentation or unless the client,
listing agent of another real estate brokerage firm, or subagent of another real estate
brokerage firm is repeating a misrepresentation made by the real estate brokerage
firm. 4. This section does not limit the liability of a licensee under section 43-23-11.1 nor of a
client for substantial and willful misrepresentations made in reference to a real estate
transaction. As used in this section, the term "real estate brokerage firm" includes
the firm and brokers and agents who work for the firm. 43-23-12.3. Brokerage firm may appoint agents. 1. A real estate brokerage firm, through a designated broker, may appoint in writing to
a client the licensee or licensees within the brokerage firm who will act as appointed
agent of that client to the exclusion of all other licensees within the brokerage firm. 2. If a real estate brokerage firm appoints an appointed agent for clients of the agency
who are, or may be, parties in the same real estate transaction, the brokerage firm
and its licensees are not dual agents as to those clients, and there is no imputation
of knowledge or information among or between said clients, the real estate
brokerage firm, and the appointed agents. 3. Nothing in this section prevents a real estate brokerage firm from entering a dual
agency relationship with its clients after complying with any disclosure requirements
provided by this chapter or by rules adopted under this chapter. 43-23-13. Fees. Fees for real estate brokers and real estate salespersons are as follows: 1. A fee of not more than two hundred dollars, as set by the commission, must
accompany an application for an individual's real estate broker's license and for
each annual renewal of the license. 2. For each license issued to a partnership, association, corporation, limited liability
company, trust, cooperative, or other firm or entity, foreign or domestic, and for each
annual renewal of the license, a fee of not more than two hundred dollars, as set by
the commission. 3. For an individual's real estate salesperson's license and for each annual renewal of
the license, a fee of not more than two hundred dollars, as set by the commission. 4. The commission shall set and collect reasonable fees to help offset the cost of
operating the commission. 43-23-13.1. License renewal. Every person licensed to practice as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson must register annually with the commission and pay the appropriate
annual renewal fee as provided in section 43-23-13. The application for renewal must be accompanied by such certification as required by this chapter and rules of the commission to
show compliance with the educational requirements of sections 43-23-08 and 43-23-08.2, and is
to be submitted to the commission with the appropriate fee no later than December thirty-first of Page No. 10 each year. A licensee who fails to file a timely application for the renewal of any license and pay
the renewal fee may file a late renewal application, together with the required educational
certification, before March first of the subsequent year and shall pay, in addition to the renewal
fee, a late fee as set by the commission for each month or fraction thereof after January first.
Any license not renewed by March first must be canceled. The cancellation must be performed
without any notice or opportunity for hearing. Any person whose license has been canceled and
who desires relicensure must be required to satisfy the application and examination requirements
for prospective licensees in accordance with this chapter and rules of the commission. No licensee may engage in any activity after December thirty-first of any year for which a license is required under this chapter unless that person's license has been renewed by the
commission. 43-23-14. Fund handling by broker. Repealed by S.L. 1973, ch. 358, § 2. 43-23-14.1. Handling of funds by brokers. Except as otherwise provided in this section, every broker shall, at all times, maintain in the broker's name or firm name, a separate
trust account designated as such in a federally insured financial institution in this state in which
the broker shall immediately place as a demand deposit all funds not the broker's own coming
into the broker's possession, in accordance with rules adopted by the commission. This requirement extends to funds in which the broker may have some future interest or claim and
includes earnest money deposits. Provided, the deposit of funds may be made in an interest-bearing account in a federally insured bank, trust company, savings and loan
association, or credit union if all parties having an interest in the funds have agreed in writing and
if a copy of the agreement is maintained on file by the broker. A broker may not commingle the
broker's personal funds or other funds in a trust account, except that a broker may deposit and
keep a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars in the account from the broker's personal funds,
which sum must be specifically identified and deposited to cover service charges related to the
trust account. In conjunction with the account, the broker shall maintain at the broker's usual
place of business, books, records, contracts, and other necessary documents so that the
adequacy of the account may be determined at any time. Trust accounts and other records must
be open to inspection by the commission and its duly authorized agents at all times during
regular business hours at the broker's usual place of business. A broker who does not accept trust funds in real estate brokerage transactions and who has applied for and received a waiver from the real estate commission is not required to maintain
a designated trust account. However, if a broker does not maintain a trust account and later
receives trust funds in a real estate brokerage transaction, the broker shall open a designated
trust account as required by this section and deposit any trust funds in accordance with rules
adopted by the commission. 43-23-15. Real estate courses - Studies. 1. The commission may conduct or hold or assist in conducting or holding real estate
courses or institutes, and incur and pay the necessary expenses in connection
therewith, which courses or institutes must be open to any licensee without any
charge or fee. 2. The commission may assist libraries, real estate brokers and real estate
salespersons, and institutes and foundations, with financial aid or otherwise, in
providing texts, sponsoring studies, surveys, and programs for the benefit of real
estate and the elevation of the real estate business. 43-23-16. Licensee list. The executive director shall publish, at least annually, a list of the names and addresses of all licensees licensed by the board under the provisions of this
chapter, together with such other information relative to the enforcement of the provisions of this
chapter as the board may deem of interest to the public. One of such lists must be mailed to the
recorder in each county, unless the board of county commissioners designates a different official, Page No. 11 and must be held as a public record. Such lists must also be provided by the executive director
to any person in this state upon request, and to all licensed brokers without charge. 43-23-17. Penalty. Any person violating section 43-23-05 or 43-23-14.1 is guilty of an infraction. 43-23-18. Injunctions authorized to enforce law. If any person or entity has engaged in any act or practice that constitutes or will constitute a violation of this chapter, the commission
may commence an action in the district court of the county in which the person or entity resides
or in the district court of the county in which the act or practice occurred for an injunction to
enforce compliance with this chapter or rules adopted by the commission. The commission is
not required to give any bond for commencing this action. Upon a showing that the person or
entity has engaged in any act or practice in violation of this chapter or rules adopted by the
commission, the district court may enjoin the act or practice and may make any order necessary
to conserve, protect, and disburse any funds involved. 43-23-19. Errors and omissions insurance required of salespersons and brokers - Rules. The real estate commission shall adopt rules pursuant to chapter 28-32 requiring as a
condition of licensure that, effective January 1, 2002, and thereafter, all real estate salespersons
and brokers, except those who hold inactive licenses, carry errors and omissions insurance
covering all activities contemplated under this chapter. 43-23-20. Group insurance coverage authorized - Independent errors and omissions coverage. The real estate commission may negotiate by bid with an insurance provider for a group policy under which coverage is available to all licensees with no right on the
part of the insurer to cancel coverage provided to any licensee, except as provided by rules
adopted by the commission. A licensee may obtain errors and omissions insurance independently if the coverage complies with the minimum requirements established by the
commission. 43-23-21. Commission to determine conditions of errors and omissions coverage. The real estate commission shall determine the terms and conditions of errors and omissions
coverage required by this chapter, including the minimum limits of coverage, the permissible
deductible, and the permissible exceptions. 43-23-22. Notice of terms and conditions of errors and omissions - Certificate of coverage. Each licensee must be notified of the required terms and conditions of coverage at
least thirty days before the annual license renewal date. A certificate of coverage, showing compliance with the required terms and conditions of coverage, must be filed annually with the
real estate commission by each licensee who elects not to participate in the group insurance
program administered by the real estate commission. 43-23-23. Errors and omissions coverage not required if premium limit unobtainable. If the real estate commission is unable to obtain errors and omissions insurance
coverage at a reasonable premium, the errors and omissions insurance requirement of this
section does not apply during the year for which coverage cannot be obtained. Page No. 12 Document Outline chapter 43-23 state real estate commission
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