District of Columbia Rules & Regulations Exam | DC
Real Estate Rules & Regulations Study Guide &
Exam Prep 2026/2027 | District of Columbia Real
Estate Commission, DC License Law, Licensing
Requirements, Agency & Fiduciary Duties,
Advertising Rules, Property Management
Regulations, Fair Housing, Disclosures, Ethics,
Prohibited Practices, Commission Rules, Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to D.C. law, what is the maximum duration an
emergency rule can remain in effect after its adoption?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 120 days
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 2-505(c) and related provisions of the District of
Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, emergency rules adopted by the Mayor or an
independent agency for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety,
welfare, or morals may become effective immediately but cannot remain in effect longer
than 120 days after the date of their adoption .
Question 2: The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) is the
official compilation of current regulations. Where are these rules first
published before being compiled into the DCMR?
A. The D.C. Official Code
B. The D.C. Register
C. The D.C. Council Record
D. The Federal Register
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The D.C. Register
Rationale: Before they are compiled in the DCMR, regulations appear in the weekly D.C.
Register (DCR), which publishes rules and regulations in chronological order. The
DCMR is then organized by subject and is the official code of current D.C. regulations .
Question 3: The DCMR is organized into major divisions called titles. How are
these titles designated?
A. By the D.C. Council
B. By the Mayor
C. By the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
D. By the D.C. Superior Court
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. By the Office of Documents and Administrative
Issuances
Rationale: Titles of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations are designated by the
Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances. The assignment of rules and
regulations to various titles is based on a specific structure set forth in DCMR
regulations, which groups together broadly related rules and regulations by subject
matter categories .
Question 4: Under D.C. Administrative Procedure law, what is the minimum
notice period for publication of a proposed rule before its effective date, unless
good cause is found?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: D.C. Official Code § 2-505(a) requires that the Mayor and each independent
agency publish notice of intended rulemaking in the D.C. Register not less than 30 days
prior to the effective date of the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal. This allows
interested persons the opportunity to submit data and views .
Question 5: The D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) are compiled by which
official office?
A. D.C. Office of Human Rights
B. D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
C. D.C. Office of the Attorney General
D. D.C. Office of Planning
CORRECT ANSWER: B. D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
Rationale: Section 2-552 of the D.C. Code establishes that the District of Columbia
Office of Documents shall supervise, manage, and direct the preparation, editing,
publishing, and supplementation of the DCMR. This office ensures the DCMR is
published in a manner that promotes efficient public access to all current D.C. rules and
regulations .
Question 6: Which chapter of Title 20 of the DCMR contains licensing and
certification requirements for tank installers, removers, testers, and operators
regarding Underground Storage Tanks?
A. Chapter 55
B. Chapter 60
C. Chapter 65
D. Chapter 67
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Chapter 65
Rationale: DCMR Title 20, Chapter 65, specifically addresses Licensing and Certification
of Tank Installers, Removers, Testers, and Operators. This is part of the broader
regulatory scheme for Underground Storage Tanks found in Chapters 55-70 of Title 20 .
Question 7: According to the OAH Rules of Practice and Procedure, what is the
filing deadline for a paper to be received on the same business day via email?
A. Before 3:00 p.m.
B. Before 4:00 p.m.
C. Before 5:00 p.m.
D. Before 6:00 p.m.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Before 5:00 p.m.
Rationale: Under OAH Rule 2811.5, the filing date for an email filing received in the
correct OAH email box before 5:00 p.m. on any OAH business day shall be the date it is
received. Emails received at other times are considered filed on the next business day .
Question 8: The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) publishes
Enforcement Guidance documents. What is the status of these documents?
A. They are legally binding regulations
B. They are advisory and do not constitute legal advice
C. They are final orders from the D.C. Council
D. They are mandatory rules requiring compliance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. They are advisory and do not constitute legal advice
Rationale: OHR guidance publications are intended to assist parties in understanding
the laws OHR enforces. The official guidance explicitly states these publications do not
constitute legal advice and are not a substitute for obtaining an attorney .
Question 9: In a formal hearing before an administrative law judge for a wage
claim, which party generally bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of
the evidence?
A. The respondent
B. The complainant
C. The Mayor
D. The D.C. Council
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The complainant
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(d)(3), the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence rests upon the complainant. However, the burden shifts
to the respondent if the respondent failed to keep proper records and the complainant
presents evidence to show, as a matter of just and reasonable inference, the hours
worked .
, Question 10: What is the maximum amount of liquidated damages an
administrative law judge can award on unpaid wages under the D.C. Wage
Theft Prevention Act?
A. An amount equal to the owed wages
B. An amount up to double the owed wages
C. An amount up to treble the owed wages
D. An amount up to four times the owed wages
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An amount up to treble the owed wages
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(e)(2)(B), an administrative law judge
may award in liquidated damages an amount of up to treble the amount of owed wages.
This is a significant enforcement mechanism under the wage theft statute .
Question 11: When requesting a continuance from the Office of Administrative
Hearings (OAH), what is a key procedural requirement?
A. The request must be submitted in person
B. The request must include an admission of liability
C. The requesting party must obtain consent from the other party or explain the attempt
to do so
D. The request must be accompanied by a filing fee
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The requesting party must obtain consent from the
other party or explain the attempt to do so
Rationale: OAH's "What to Expect at a Hearing" guide states that before filing a written
request for a continuance or any other motion, a party must try to contact the other side
and ask for consent. The request must state that an attempt was made and whether the
other party consented .
Question 12: According to D.C. law, what is the required maximum timeframe
for an administrative law judge to schedule a hearing after a request is filed?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(b)(1)(A), an administrative law judge
shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the date a request for the hearing was filed,
except as otherwise provided. The judge must also provide notice to the parties of the
time and place of the hearing .
Question 13: What is the official title of the document that contains a
comprehensive list of titles in the DCMR?
Real Estate Rules & Regulations Study Guide &
Exam Prep 2026/2027 | District of Columbia Real
Estate Commission, DC License Law, Licensing
Requirements, Agency & Fiduciary Duties,
Advertising Rules, Property Management
Regulations, Fair Housing, Disclosures, Ethics,
Prohibited Practices, Commission Rules, Practice
Questions, Answers & Detailed Rationales
Question 1: According to D.C. law, what is the maximum duration an
emergency rule can remain in effect after its adoption?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
CORRECT ANSWER: D. 120 days
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 2-505(c) and related provisions of the District of
Columbia Administrative Procedure Act, emergency rules adopted by the Mayor or an
independent agency for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety,
welfare, or morals may become effective immediately but cannot remain in effect longer
than 120 days after the date of their adoption .
Question 2: The District of Columbia Municipal Regulations (DCMR) is the
official compilation of current regulations. Where are these rules first
published before being compiled into the DCMR?
A. The D.C. Official Code
B. The D.C. Register
C. The D.C. Council Record
D. The Federal Register
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The D.C. Register
Rationale: Before they are compiled in the DCMR, regulations appear in the weekly D.C.
Register (DCR), which publishes rules and regulations in chronological order. The
DCMR is then organized by subject and is the official code of current D.C. regulations .
Question 3: The DCMR is organized into major divisions called titles. How are
these titles designated?
A. By the D.C. Council
B. By the Mayor
C. By the Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
D. By the D.C. Superior Court
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. By the Office of Documents and Administrative
Issuances
Rationale: Titles of the District of Columbia Municipal Regulations are designated by the
Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances. The assignment of rules and
regulations to various titles is based on a specific structure set forth in DCMR
regulations, which groups together broadly related rules and regulations by subject
matter categories .
Question 4: Under D.C. Administrative Procedure law, what is the minimum
notice period for publication of a proposed rule before its effective date, unless
good cause is found?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: D.C. Official Code § 2-505(a) requires that the Mayor and each independent
agency publish notice of intended rulemaking in the D.C. Register not less than 30 days
prior to the effective date of the proposed adoption, amendment, or repeal. This allows
interested persons the opportunity to submit data and views .
Question 5: The D.C. Municipal Regulations (DCMR) are compiled by which
official office?
A. D.C. Office of Human Rights
B. D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
C. D.C. Office of the Attorney General
D. D.C. Office of Planning
CORRECT ANSWER: B. D.C. Office of Documents and Administrative Issuances
Rationale: Section 2-552 of the D.C. Code establishes that the District of Columbia
Office of Documents shall supervise, manage, and direct the preparation, editing,
publishing, and supplementation of the DCMR. This office ensures the DCMR is
published in a manner that promotes efficient public access to all current D.C. rules and
regulations .
Question 6: Which chapter of Title 20 of the DCMR contains licensing and
certification requirements for tank installers, removers, testers, and operators
regarding Underground Storage Tanks?
A. Chapter 55
B. Chapter 60
C. Chapter 65
D. Chapter 67
,CORRECT ANSWER: C. Chapter 65
Rationale: DCMR Title 20, Chapter 65, specifically addresses Licensing and Certification
of Tank Installers, Removers, Testers, and Operators. This is part of the broader
regulatory scheme for Underground Storage Tanks found in Chapters 55-70 of Title 20 .
Question 7: According to the OAH Rules of Practice and Procedure, what is the
filing deadline for a paper to be received on the same business day via email?
A. Before 3:00 p.m.
B. Before 4:00 p.m.
C. Before 5:00 p.m.
D. Before 6:00 p.m.
CORRECT ANSWER: C. Before 5:00 p.m.
Rationale: Under OAH Rule 2811.5, the filing date for an email filing received in the
correct OAH email box before 5:00 p.m. on any OAH business day shall be the date it is
received. Emails received at other times are considered filed on the next business day .
Question 8: The District of Columbia Office of Human Rights (OHR) publishes
Enforcement Guidance documents. What is the status of these documents?
A. They are legally binding regulations
B. They are advisory and do not constitute legal advice
C. They are final orders from the D.C. Council
D. They are mandatory rules requiring compliance
CORRECT ANSWER: B. They are advisory and do not constitute legal advice
Rationale: OHR guidance publications are intended to assist parties in understanding
the laws OHR enforces. The official guidance explicitly states these publications do not
constitute legal advice and are not a substitute for obtaining an attorney .
Question 9: In a formal hearing before an administrative law judge for a wage
claim, which party generally bears the burden of proof by a preponderance of
the evidence?
A. The respondent
B. The complainant
C. The Mayor
D. The D.C. Council
CORRECT ANSWER: B. The complainant
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(d)(3), the burden of proof by a
preponderance of the evidence rests upon the complainant. However, the burden shifts
to the respondent if the respondent failed to keep proper records and the complainant
presents evidence to show, as a matter of just and reasonable inference, the hours
worked .
, Question 10: What is the maximum amount of liquidated damages an
administrative law judge can award on unpaid wages under the D.C. Wage
Theft Prevention Act?
A. An amount equal to the owed wages
B. An amount up to double the owed wages
C. An amount up to treble the owed wages
D. An amount up to four times the owed wages
CORRECT ANSWER: C. An amount up to treble the owed wages
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(e)(2)(B), an administrative law judge
may award in liquidated damages an amount of up to treble the amount of owed wages.
This is a significant enforcement mechanism under the wage theft statute .
Question 11: When requesting a continuance from the Office of Administrative
Hearings (OAH), what is a key procedural requirement?
A. The request must be submitted in person
B. The request must include an admission of liability
C. The requesting party must obtain consent from the other party or explain the attempt
to do so
D. The request must be accompanied by a filing fee
CORRECT ANSWER: C. The requesting party must obtain consent from the
other party or explain the attempt to do so
Rationale: OAH's "What to Expect at a Hearing" guide states that before filing a written
request for a continuance or any other motion, a party must try to contact the other side
and ask for consent. The request must state that an attempt was made and whether the
other party consented .
Question 12: According to D.C. law, what is the required maximum timeframe
for an administrative law judge to schedule a hearing after a request is filed?
A. 15 days
B. 30 days
C. 45 days
D. 60 days
CORRECT ANSWER: B. 30 days
Rationale: Under D.C. Official Code § 32-1051.10(b)(1)(A), an administrative law judge
shall schedule a hearing within 30 days after the date a request for the hearing was filed,
except as otherwise provided. The judge must also provide notice to the parties of the
time and place of the hearing .
Question 13: What is the official title of the document that contains a
comprehensive list of titles in the DCMR?
