THIS STUDENT DID INDEED RECEIVE HIS REAL ESTATE LICENSE BUT ONLY AFTER DISCLOSING EVERYTHING TO THE ADRE. THEY PUT THE STUDENT THROUGH SEVEN MONTHS OF WAITING AND THEN ISSUED A TWO-YEAR PROVISIONAL LICENSE. THE STUDENT IS NOW THROUGH THE PROBATION PERIOD AND IS A SUCCESSFUL REALTOR IN OUR AREA. THIS STUDENT WAS PASSIONATE ABOUT BECOMING A REALTOR AND WAS NOT GOING TO LET SOMETHING FROM HIS PAST GET IN THE WAY OF BEING SUCCESSFUL! (Added by website author.)
The purpose of this writing is to enlighten any prospective Real Estate agent who may have a past criminal conviction that is required to be disclosed on the ARDE Disciplinary Actions Disclosure LI-214-244 form. I was aware of the disclosure form before I started Betty’s class. I had several convictions in the 1970’s and I knew something would be revealed in the Fingerprint Clearance background check. Being a gambler by nature I paid for and took Betty’s class fully knowing I MAY be denied clearance because of my past convictions.
The class took two months, extended class exams took about two weeks ( it took 4 tries to pass. Betty’s tough standards will ensure you are ready for the State exams) and another few weeks to take and pass the State exams the first time. It really was a huge gamble.
Next was the difficult part:
I was denied clearance due to six items on the Fingerprint background check. One is enough to be denied. I was stunned that so many came up but I didn’t realize they were serious enough to be denied clearance. The crimes were two marijuana possessions, two theft and two burglaries. The burglaries were the most serious and the end result was a felony conviction. Probation on top of probation. The timeline between the first offense and the last was 1976-1978. The burglary was breaking into a car and taking out the car stereo. All of the crimes were under the influence. After I gave up drugs and alcohol in 1988 life got easier. That was then and here’s what I had to do to finally gain clearance:
I filed a Good Cause Exception with the Fingerprint Board and waited for their decision. They required court dispositions/outcomes of each conviction. I wrote to the county where my cases were held and it took several weeks for the docs. I forwarded the docs along with two character references from friends, and a personal explanation from myself of why and what happened in the past, what changed, and why I feel I should gain clearance now.
Another month passed and I was granted Level One Clearance by the Fingerprint Board. A long time has passed since the past offenses and a clear and definite change occurred in my actions and attitudes since I was 19 years old till the present age of 60. The Fingerprint Board wants to see there’s no pending litigation or probation and a change in behavior. If drugs or alcohol were the problem they want to see something is being done about it. That simple.
If you are apprehensive about starting Betty’s school and becoming a licensed agent because of a past criminal conviction I want to stress we live in a very forgiving society as long as the behavior changes and steps are being taken to ensure the behavior stays in the past.
I’m very grateful I’ve been given this opportunity and grateful Betty has been supportive of me along the way.
Sincerely,
Winn School of Real Estate Student. Name withheld for obvious reasons.
