DC REAL ESTATE LAW 2026 A+ EXAM
GUIDE WITH AUTHENTIC ANSWERS,
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, AND A
SUREFIRE PATH TO SUCCESS
Legislative and Executive Authority
Q: Who creates the real estate laws in DC, and which body is responsible for
enforcing them?
A: ✔✔ Real estate law is created by the DC City Council (the legislative branch)
and is enforced by the DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC).
Relationship: The City Council passes the statutes (the "laws"), while the
Commission writes the specific regulations and rules to implement those
laws in the real world.
Agency Oversight
Q: The DC Real Estate Commission is a part of which larger government
department?
A: ✔✔ The Commission is now part of the Department of Licensing and
Consumer Protection (DLCP).
Important Correction: While older study materials often refer to the DCRA
(Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs), that agency was officially split
in 2022. The DLCP now handles the professional licensing and consumer
protection functions for the District.
Regulatory Scope
Q: What specific types of property and land interests does the DCREC
regulate?
,A: ✔✔ The Commission creates and manages the rules concerning all real
property and land interests, including:
Condominiums and Cooperatives (Co-ops)
Residential and Commercial Leases
Time Shares
Land subdivisions
Core Authority of the Commission
Q: What are the three primary powers held by the DC Real Estate
Commission?
A: ✔✔ The Commission has the legal authority to:
1. License Management: Issue, deny, suspend, or revoke the licenses of real
estate professionals.
2. Law Implementation: Create the administrative regulations that put DC
statutes into practice.
3. Ethical Oversight: Establish and enforce a Code of Ethics that governs the
conduct of all brokers, associate brokers, salespersons, and property
managers.
The ultimate purpose of the DCREC is.... -ANSWER✔✔to protect the public from
incompetent and fraudulent practices
9 members of the DCREC -ANSWER✔✔3 real estate brokers, 2 DC licensed
salespersons, 2 DC licensed property managers, 1 attorney, 1 consumer member
DCREC term -ANSWER✔✔3 years
, DCREC members may serve a max of ___ cnosecutive _____ year terms -
ANSWER✔✔3; 3
DCREC member conditions (2) -ANSWER✔✔1. Must have resided in DC for one
year
2. Must maintain residency during the term
A DCREC chairperson is appointed by the _______ -ANSWER✔✔mayor
DCREC members may be removed from the Commission by the mayor for just
cause such as_______ -ANSWER✔✔neglect of duty
Do DCREC commissioners receive compensation for their efforts? -
ANSWER✔✔No, but they are reimbursed for expenses
Who is required to have a real estate license? -ANSWER✔✔any person selling
real estate and receiving compensation for the act
Exemptions for real estate license -ANSWER✔✔attorneys (unless they frequently
engage in real estate transactions)
Salesperson age minimum -ANSWER✔✔18 years old
Salespeople are licensed under who? -ANSWER✔✔brokers
Salespeople must activate their license within _______ months of passing the
District exam -ANSWER✔✔6
GUIDE WITH AUTHENTIC ANSWERS,
COMPLETE SOLUTIONS, AND A
SUREFIRE PATH TO SUCCESS
Legislative and Executive Authority
Q: Who creates the real estate laws in DC, and which body is responsible for
enforcing them?
A: ✔✔ Real estate law is created by the DC City Council (the legislative branch)
and is enforced by the DC Real Estate Commission (DCREC).
Relationship: The City Council passes the statutes (the "laws"), while the
Commission writes the specific regulations and rules to implement those
laws in the real world.
Agency Oversight
Q: The DC Real Estate Commission is a part of which larger government
department?
A: ✔✔ The Commission is now part of the Department of Licensing and
Consumer Protection (DLCP).
Important Correction: While older study materials often refer to the DCRA
(Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs), that agency was officially split
in 2022. The DLCP now handles the professional licensing and consumer
protection functions for the District.
Regulatory Scope
Q: What specific types of property and land interests does the DCREC
regulate?
,A: ✔✔ The Commission creates and manages the rules concerning all real
property and land interests, including:
Condominiums and Cooperatives (Co-ops)
Residential and Commercial Leases
Time Shares
Land subdivisions
Core Authority of the Commission
Q: What are the three primary powers held by the DC Real Estate
Commission?
A: ✔✔ The Commission has the legal authority to:
1. License Management: Issue, deny, suspend, or revoke the licenses of real
estate professionals.
2. Law Implementation: Create the administrative regulations that put DC
statutes into practice.
3. Ethical Oversight: Establish and enforce a Code of Ethics that governs the
conduct of all brokers, associate brokers, salespersons, and property
managers.
The ultimate purpose of the DCREC is.... -ANSWER✔✔to protect the public from
incompetent and fraudulent practices
9 members of the DCREC -ANSWER✔✔3 real estate brokers, 2 DC licensed
salespersons, 2 DC licensed property managers, 1 attorney, 1 consumer member
DCREC term -ANSWER✔✔3 years
, DCREC members may serve a max of ___ cnosecutive _____ year terms -
ANSWER✔✔3; 3
DCREC member conditions (2) -ANSWER✔✔1. Must have resided in DC for one
year
2. Must maintain residency during the term
A DCREC chairperson is appointed by the _______ -ANSWER✔✔mayor
DCREC members may be removed from the Commission by the mayor for just
cause such as_______ -ANSWER✔✔neglect of duty
Do DCREC commissioners receive compensation for their efforts? -
ANSWER✔✔No, but they are reimbursed for expenses
Who is required to have a real estate license? -ANSWER✔✔any person selling
real estate and receiving compensation for the act
Exemptions for real estate license -ANSWER✔✔attorneys (unless they frequently
engage in real estate transactions)
Salesperson age minimum -ANSWER✔✔18 years old
Salespeople are licensed under who? -ANSWER✔✔brokers
Salespeople must activate their license within _______ months of passing the
District exam -ANSWER✔✔6
