TECHNOLOGY PAVES WAY FOR ELECTRICONIC TESTING

OF REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

The computer age is making it possible to enter the real estate field more quickly and conveniently than in the past.   Beginning in January, applicants for a real estate sales, broker or appraiser license will enjoy scheduling the test at their convenience and taking the test closer to home.

“This new testing system revolutionizes the way real estate professionals become licensed.  In the past, many real estate applicants would drive at least two hours to take the test and would have to schedule their lives around a test that was only offered once a month,” Director Suhadolnik said.   “Beginning in January, the travelling time will be drastically reduced, and the applicant will schedule the exam at their convenience.”

Currently, the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing administers about 6,500 pencil and paper exams which are offered once a month in Columbus and Cleveland.    In order to be licensed to sell or appraise real estate in Ohio, one needs to have the necessary experience and education and successfully complete an examination.  

To provide greater convenience to the real estate industry, the Division has contracted with Experior Assessments LLC of Salt Lake City, Utah, to administer Ohio’s real estate and appraiser exams.   Experior currently administers real estate exams in eight states and anticipates conducting 50,000 exams in 2000. 

Beginning on January 3, 2000, Experior will administer the new computerized test at least five days a week at Sylvan Testing Centers in Akron, Centerville, Cincinnati, Columbus, Hilliard, Lima, Mentor, Niles, Reynoldsburg, Strongsville, and Toledo.    In addition, the tests will be available in the following out-of-state locations close to the Ohio border:  Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania;  Charleston, West Virginia; Lexington, Kentucky; Indianapolis and Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Ann Arbor, Livonia and Lansing, Michigan. 

“As a realtor, I can truly say that this new testing process will make it much more convenient for people interested in real estate to join the industry,” said Owen Hall, President of the Ohio Real Estate Commission and owner of Owen Hall Realty Group in Celina.  “We all know that time is money.  The sooner you can begin working, the sooner you can begin selling or appraising real estate.”

In addition to the new testing process, the real estate sales and broker exams will be updated beginning on January 3.  The exams will now consist of two parts:  1) uniform real estate practices and principals and 2) Ohio real estate license law.   Candidates will need to pass both sections with a score of 75% or higher on each section in order to become licensed.  The appraiser exam will not be changed. 

According to Lynne Hengle, Superintendent of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, the testing process begins when the applicant submits a license application form and fee to the Division.  The Division then reviews the application, and if complete, will initiate the testing process which could be completed in 7-10 days:

n      The Division notifies Experior electronically that the applicant can be seated for the exam.

n      Experior mails a letter within 24 hours to the eligible applicant providing a phone number for the applicant to call to schedule the exam.

n      Applicant schedules the exam at their convenience and based on space availability at the testing site.

n      Applicant completes the exam and will immediately know their test score.

n      If successful, Experior will notify the Division that the applicant passed the exam.

n      Division mails the license. 

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The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing licenses real estate brokers and salespersons, auctioneers, private investigators, security guards, and licenses and certifies general and residential appraisers.  In addition, the division registers cemeteries and foreign real estate property. 

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