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We present to you the most frequent asked questions of real estate education and of the American Real Estate Academy.
Revised 8/27/2009
Topics
Courses and Registration
Return and Refund Policies
State Exam
Surety Bond
Continuing Education and Renewal Information for Salespeople and Brokers
Audio Tapes
Instructional Support
Q: What types of courses do you offer?
A: We offer a variety of state approved courses in both Real Estate and Appraisal. Visit the Courses section for more information.
Q: When do classes begin?
A: AREA provides a variety of different schedules to meet the needs of even the most hectic schedules. Visit the Schedules section for more information.
Q: How quickly may I complete the Salesperson Course?
A: The weekend course is the most condensed course that AREA offers. It may be completed in only 2 days.
Q: Is Waltham your only location?
A: No. We hold weekend and daytime salesperson courses as well as our Continuing Education courses in many different locations throughout the state.
Q: If I cannot attend the entire course or I need to miss a class is there any way to make up what I have missed?
A: Absolutely. You may make up whatever subjects that you are missing during another class or on a Monday by audio tape.
Q: Do I have to obtain my salesperson license before obtaining my broker license?
A: Yes. You must take and pass the salesperson exam and work for a broker as a licensed salesperson for one year before you can take your broker exam.
Q: How do I register for a Salesperson, Broker or Continuing Education course?
A: We offer the convenience of online registration for all of our courses. We have walk-in registration for the Salesperson and Broker license and Continuing Education courses. Students arrive the first day of the course and register at the door. All students may pre register if they wish by calling 800.462.0044 or coming to the Waltham office anytime Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Q: If I choose walk-in registration, is it possible that I could be turned away if the class is full?
A: No. We never have turned away a student in the history of the school due to lack of space. We always make sure we have ample room to accommodate anyone who comes in to register our real estate courses.
Q: How do I register for an Appraisal license or Appraisal continuing education?
A: Pre-registration is required for all appraisal courses. We offer the convenience of online registration for all of our courses. You must obtain and fill out an application for the course and either mail or fax it to the school with payment to ensure a space in the course. You may call the office at 1-800-462-0044 to receive applications by mail or fax or you can download them directly off out Web site. We do have a limit on the number of students that attend each appraisal course. Please do not wait for the deadline to send in the applications, the course is most likely to be full by that time.
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Bookstore Returns
You can return your online purchases for in-store credit only.
Returning to American Real Estate Academy:
- We'll refund (for store credit only) your online purchase if you:
- Return new books, unopened CDs, cassettes, unopened software, calculators, in their original condition.
- Return within 30 days of the shipment date listed on your packing slip.
- Ship returns at your own expense with original packing slip to: (You may also return merchandise in person at following address)
American Real Estate Academy
Returns Dept.
771 Main St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Note: Shipping charges are not refundable for all returned or refused orders.
Refund Policy
Salesperson & Broker Courses:
- Students may receive a refund minus a $25.00 administration fee for any course cancelled completed less than three of the eight subjects in the course and returns the textbook.
- Students have no more than three months from the date of enrollment to complete the course.
- This refund policy is valid for three months from the date of enrollment. After three months students will not be able to recieve a refund.
CE Courses:
- Students may receive a refund minus a $15.00 administration fee if they cancel their enrollment in the CE course.
- This refund policy is valid for three months from the date of enrollment. After three months there is no refund for the course.
Appraisal Courses and Mortgage Origination Courses:
- A registration fee of $50.00 will be charged for all appraisal courses cancelled or rescheduled.
- If you wish to cancel your registration or switch to a later class date it must be brought to our attention at least 3 days prior to the starting date of the course or no refund will be administered.
- If a cancellation is requested within 48 hours of the course or you do not show up for the course no refund will be administered.
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Q: How soon can I take the exam after attending the courses?
A: You will receive a toll free number for the testing service on the final day of the course. The earliest appointment you may receive will be at least three business days from the time you make the appointment. We urge students to wait until they have completed the course to make their appointment.
Q: When and where is the exam held?
A: The exam is given by Promissor testing company. They have testing sites in Boston, Woburn, North Dartmouth, Worcester, and W. Springfield. The exam is given in Boston, Woburn, and North Dartmouth Tuesday through Saturday every week at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. The exam is given in Worcester and W. Springfield Thursday through Saturday at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m. The testing service may open up additional days and times at these locations during busy periods. They will notify you of any additional testing days and hours that may be available when you are making your appointment.
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Q: What is a Surety Bond and how do obtain one?
A: Everyone that holds a broker license in Massachusetts must have a $5,000 surety bond. We provide the service to all of our students as well as anyone else that needs to obtain a surety bond for their broker license or for their company's license. **New Brokers must obtain a surety bond before they take the broker exam. Promissor issues a Professional ID number to all broker candidates at the time they make their exam appointment. Once a Professional ID number is received a bond can be obtained here at the office within a matter of minutes for a fee of $50.00. Bonds are renewed every five years.
Q: I have a broker license but it is inactive, do I still need to have a bond?
A: Yes. Anyone that holds a broker license whether it is active or inactive must have a current bond filed with the state. If you do not have a bond or if has expired the state will not renew your license.
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Q: Are brokers and salespersons required to complete continuing education?
A: To keep your license on an "active" status the state requires both brokers and salespeople to take a 12 hour curriculum for continuing education. If you would like to renew your license but are not using it at the moment you can bypass the continuing education and renew as "inactive" which means you cannot list or sell property but you can receive a referral fee if you refer a client to an active broker. Visit the Continuing Education schedule section for more information.
Q: Is there anyone exempt from continuing education?
A: Yes. Licensed Real Estate Brokers who are Massachusetts attorneys and are in good standing with the Bar are exempt from the continuing education requirement. This is only for Massachusetts attorneys. Brokers in Massachusetts who are attorneys in other states are required to complete the Massachusetts continuing education curriculum.
Q: When must Continuing Education be completed?
A: To renew your license on and "active" status you must complete the 12 hours of continuing education anytime during the 24 months prior to your renewal date which is your birthday.
Q: How do I renew my license active or inactive?
A: The Board of Registration will send a renewal form to you in the mail before the expiration date on your license. Question #2 on the renewal application will ask if you have completed the 12 hour requirement. You will answer "Yes" if you have completed the 12 hours or "No" if you have not. Once you have filled out the renewal form and answered Question 2 with the appropriate answer you then mail the renewal form to the state along with the renewal fee. If you have completed the 12 hours of continuing education you do not have to send in a copy of the certificate you received from the school it is for your records. We also keep a record of your completion in our database.
Q: If I renew my license "inactive" what is required to change the status to "active"?
A: An "inactive" license can be activated at anytime by completing the 12 hour continuing education requirement. When a license is renewed "inactive" a notice is mailed to the licensee which states that the license is renewed and is in an "inactive" status. At the bottom of the notice there is a section that can be filled out once the 12 hours of continuing education completed and that the licensee wishes to change their license status to "active". Once filled out and sent to the board of registration the license will be activated and an "active" license will be mailed to the licensee. One does not have to wait until the next renewal to activate a license it may be done anytime during the 24 month licensing period. If a license is inactive for more than one licence period a licensee is not required to attend 12 hours for every license period they have been inactive, only one 12 hour session is required to activate the license. Once the license is active 12 hours of continuing education is required every two years to keep the license renewed and on active status.
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Q: When and where are the audio tapes available?
A: Audio tapes are available at the Waltham office every Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Q: Can I take the tapes home?
A: No. Audio tapes are not to leave the building under any circumstances.
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If you would like more information on our classes, or have any questions regarding in-class or on-line course content, or require instructional support for any of our courses, you may contact us at:
American Real Estate Academy
771 Main Street
Waltham, MA 02451-0612
800.462.0044
Fax 781.893.3065
We will make every effort to respond to them by the end of the next business day.
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