Do I really need to sit in a classroom for this?

As an educator of State approved education for professional licensure I’m often asked “Do we really have to be here for 40 Hours?” or “Why do we have to study this stuff... aren't lawyers the ones who have to worry about this?” On a regular basis I am challenged by my student body to cough up the answers to these and many other similar questions, so this is my attempt at clearing the air.
 
First, let me start by pointing out that it’s the state (not the instructor or school) that sets attendance requirements. Some may think that 40 hours in a live classroom for Real Estate Salesperson pre-licensing education sounds painful, but MA happens to have some of the shortest hour requirements in the country. Compare MA to, let’s say, NJ’s requirements of 150 hours and New York’s 75 hours, and I’d say MA is pretty easy. Now, I might get chastised for saying this, but I think the licensing requirements should be more strict. As a Real Estate Agent, you are representing someone who is arguably making the biggest investment of their life, and you are qualified to do that because you sat through a 4-day class, passed a 2 hour exam, and paid a nominal licensing fee.

Did you know that hairdressers have to complete 600 hours of education before they can be licensed to cut and style your hair?? Maybe I am a little bitter because I am follicly-challenged, but I would rather have a bad haircut than be advised poorly by an individual that lacks experience and insight into a very complex industry.  

You may be saying, “Okay, but I am working under a broker, so aren't they experienced?” Unfortunately, that might not necessarily be the case; there are plenty of Real Estate Brokers whose transactional experience is insufficient for proper advising. There are no transactional requirements to be licensed as a Broker in MA, so you might work as a Salesperson for 3 years without closing a single transaction, yet you can obtain your Real Estate Broker license as long as you fulfill the educational requirements, pass the exam, and pay your fees.
 
So as not to single out the Real Estate Salespersons and Brokers, let’s talk about Mortgage professionals who are required to take a 20 hour pre-licensing class and pass an exam. Prior to 2008, Mortgage Loan Officers didn't even require a license; literally anyone could originate a loan and advise consumers how to finance their real estate dreams. When we transitioned over to the new federal requirements, many existing Loan Officers had to be “re-educated,” so you can imagine the dissent in those early classrooms! I was initially concerned that I would be preaching to the choir, but in my very first session I realized that 90% of the class didn't even know the difference between a Mortgager vs. Mortgagee! The epiphany I had at that point was that there should be standards; just because you can sell, does not mean you should lack knowledge about what you are selling.

If you or a family member were sick, wouldn't you insist on seeing a licensed doctor who completed medical school and had a successful track record in their profession?

Dee Kumar is the head instructor for Host Group Real Estate Academy, located in Boston's Back Bay