Real estate license? (agents, contracts, department, sale)

[anoninnyc1]

Do most Real Estate Development firms require that I have (or be able to get) a real estate license in order to work as an employee (work on contracts, etc.)?

I only ask because I have an expunged misdedemanor on my record, which employers can't use against me, BUT state licensing agencies can.

I want to get into real estate development, not the sale of real estate.

Please only answer if you have specific knowledge of, or experience in, the realm of real estate development.

Thanks!,
Anoninnyc

[2bindenver]

Ask the real estate commission/ department of real estate in your state for your answer.

[bentlebee]

In our office we only hire licensed real estate agents to avoid issues.

Some relators may hire an assistant that is not licensed but that is up to them but we recommend to all of them to get licensed agents/assistants and so far we never dealt with unlicensed agents.

A builder can hire an unlicensed person and many do.

[davecj]

In development a license is helpful but often unnecessary. Most that I know started with a license then end up dropping it because they don't need it. You don't need to be licensed to abstract leases or issue LOIs and your company's attorney will handle contracts of sale.

A condition of employment for me was I had to drop my license for my land acquisition role to avoid potential conflicts of interest.