by Frank Pietranton – Chairman
Periodically the DC Real Estate Commission gets an opportunity to really puff out its chest in pride and this is one such occasion.
We have been recognized by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) for the excellence of our Fair Housing Instructor Development Workshop. The workshops are offered in conjunction with the National Fair Housing Alliance who provide superior instruction to DC approved continuing education instructors who wish to teach DC Fair Housing. ARELLO is an international membership-based organization, with a mission to support jurisdictions in the administration and enforcement of their real estate license laws. They support their members through resource materials, events, training, and certification programs, and by facilitating collaboration around best practices in real estate regulation. The DC Real Estate Commission was chosen the winner out of eleven submissions.
The number of protected traits in the District of Columbia is an ever-increasing amount and currently sits at 23 for people that live, visit or work in the District of Columbia. The DC Human Rights Act prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, public accommodations, and educational institutions.
Per the DC Office of Human Rights, the protected traits for housing, employment, public accommodations and educational institutions include:
1. Race: classification or association based on a person’s ancestry or ethnicity
2. Color: skin pigmentation or complexion
3. Religion: a belief system which may or may not include spirituality
4. National origin: the country or area where one’s ancestor’s are from
5. Sex: a person’s gender; sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, and discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, related medical conditions, breastfeeding, and reproductive health decisions.
6. Age: 18 years or older
7. Marital status: married, single, in a domestic partnership, divorced, separated, and widowed
8. Personal appearance: outward appearance, but is subject to business requirements or standards
9. Sexual orientation: homosexuality, heterosexuality, and bisexuality
10. Gender identity or expression: your gender-related identity, behavior, appearance, expression or behavior which is different from what you are assigned at birth
11. Family responsibilities: supporting a person in a dependent relationship, which includes, but is not limited to, your children, grandchildren and parents.
12. Political affiliation: belonging to or supporting a political party
13. Disability: a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; includes those with HIV/AIDS.
14. *NEW* Homeless Status
Additional Traits Applicable to Some Areas include:
15. Matriculation (applies to housing, employment and public accommodations): being enrolled in a college, university or some type of secondary school.
16. Familial Status (applies to housing, public accommodations and educational institutions): a parent or guardian with children under 18
17. Genetic information (applies to employment and public accommodations): Your DNA or family history which may provide information as to a person’s predisposition or likely to come down with a disease or illness.
18. Source of Income (applies to housing, public accommodations and educational institutions): origination of a person’s finances
19. Place of Residence or Business (applies to housing and public accommodations): geographical location of home or work
20. Status as a Victim of an Intrafamily Offense (applies to housing): a person who was subjected to domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. Please note that these definitions are not exhaustive.
21. Credit Information (applies to employment): any written, verbal or other communication of information bearing on an employee's creditworthiness, credit standing, credit capacity or credit history.
22. Status as a Victim or Family Member of a Victim of Domestic Violence, a Sexual Offense, or Stalking*(applies to employment): a person or family member of a person who has experienced domestic violence, a sexual offense, or stalking.
23. *NEW* Sealed Eviction Record (applies to housing)
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In response to legislation passed by the DC Council, on October 1, 2021, The Department of Buildings Establishment Act of 2020 became law and requires that DCRA transition into two new agencies, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection as of October 1, 2022.
Department of Buildings (DOB)
The Department of Buildings is responsible for regulating construction activity in the District of Columbia. The agency operates a consolidated permit operations division, reviews all construction documents to ensure compliance with building codes and zoning regulations, and has inspection and oversight authority, through which construction activity, building systems, and rental housing establishments are inspected, with violations cited and, if necessary, abatement pursued within the limits of the law.
Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection (DLCP)
To protect consumers, the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection issues business licenses, occupational and professional licenses, and special events permits and vending licenses; registers corporations; and inspects weighing and measuring devices used for monetary profit.
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The Barber Home Group
Ms. Ramona Barber is a Realtor® licensed in Washington, DC and Maryland and is a Ward 8 Washingtonian. Her business is built on: dedication, communication, determination, and trust while embodying the ability to cater and adapt to all of her client’s real estate needs. Ramona brings the skills and subject mastery accumulated during two decades of corporate sales and marketing experience and combined over 20 years of real estate experience. She is also active in charitable, social justice and faith-based endeavors in Washington, DC and suburban Maryland including Fresh Wind CDC in Ward 8 DC, Diving Dance Institute in Capitol Heights, MD and Holton-Arms School PTO in Bethesda, MD. Ramona is a proud mother of two daughters and a godson.
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Patrice Richardson Bragg
Ms. Patrice Richardson Bragg brings to the Commission, extensive experience in compliance, operational, appropriated and non-appropriated funds audits; budget management, and project management. She is an expert in gathering and analyzing data, defining business requirements, developing business metrics, re-engineering, and other decision-making tools. Ms. Bragg also brings proven ability in compliance monitoring, technology development, budget monitoring and justification. Ms. Bragg exhibits expert communication skills in human resources, labor management relations and facility space management.
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The license renewal period is now upon us. License types up for renewal are Real Estate Organization (REO), real estate broker (BR), independent broker (IB) and property manager (PM) all of which expire on 2/29/2023. The current system cannot accommodate CE certificate uploads at this time. Keep your continuing education completion certificates in a secure place so that you can present them in the event of a continuing education compliance audit.
Licensees have been notified via email that the renewal process is underway.
The entire process is digital, as will the licenses that are issued. Licensees will be able to display electronic version of their license or be able to print them out.
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Licensees should be aware of the recently enacted real estate continuing education requirements applicable to the current cycle and also upcoming renewals.
Salesperson - 15 hours total
Mandatory 12 hours plus 3 hours of general electives
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (3 hours)
Electives (3 hours)
Broker - 15 hours total
Mandatory 15 hours (No Elective Classes - All Required Classes)
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (3 hours)
Broker Supervision (3 hours)
Property Manager - 15 hours total
Mandatory 15 hours
DC Fair Housing (3 hours)
DC Ethics (3 hours)
DC Legislative Update (3 hours)
Property Management (6 hours)
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Meetings are held on Tuesdays as shown below at 10:00 am.
January 10, 2023
February 14, 2023
March 14, 2023
April 11, 2023
May 9, 2023
June 13, 2023
July 11, 2023
August Recess
September 12, 2023
October 10, 2023
November 14, 2023
December 12, 2023
Dates are subject to change. Call 202-442-4320 for updates.
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