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California · DREDo transaction coordinators need a license in California?

California's Department of Real Estate guidelines let an unlicensed assistant do most transaction-coordination work with the broker's knowledge and consent: prepare documents that a licensee reviews before they go out, review files for completeness or compliance (the licensee makes the final call), order reports and services, deliver documents and obtain signatures – without discussing their content – and update the parties on timing. Showing the property, discussing terms and solicitation stay with licensees.

What the DRE guidelines allow (with broker consent)

  1. Documents

    Prepare and complete documents under the licensee's supervision, if the licensee reviews or approves them before they are given to a principal or party.

  2. File review

    Review transaction documentation for completeness or compliance as instructed – the final determination is the licensee's – and make recommendations to the broker.

  3. Signatures and delivery

    Mail, deliver or pick up documents and obtain signatures from principals, parties or service providers – without discussing the content, relevance or significance of any document.

  4. Reports and timing

    Order inspections, title reports, appraisals, credit checks or repairs as directed; tell principals and service providers when reports or services will be delivered or completed; let inspectors or contractors into the property with the principal's consent.

What stays with a licensee

  • Showing or exhibiting the property, or discussing terms and conditions of a possible sale.
  • Discussing the content or significance of a document with a principal or party.
  • Any communication used, designed or structured to solicit for a specific property, transaction or product.
  • Giving inspectors property information that is not on a data sheet prepared by the broker, agent or principal.

What this means for a TC in California

  • The guidelines assume the broker knows and consents – get that in writing from each broker you work with.
  • Route every document you prepare through the agent before it reaches a client.
  • When a client asks what a document means, refer them to the agent.
  • The guidelines are guidance, not law – they do not bind the DRE or courts.

Questions about TC licensing in California

Can an unlicensed transaction coordinator work in California?

Yes. The DRE guidelines describe many transaction tasks an unlicensed assistant may do with the broker's knowledge and consent, as long as no licensed activity is performed.

Can an unlicensed TC get signatures in California?

Yes, under the DRE guidelines – but without discussing the content, relevance or significance of the document.

Can an unlicensed TC review a California file for compliance?

Yes, as instructed by the supervising licensee, who makes the final determination on completeness or compliance.

Are the DRE guidelines law?

No. The DRE says they are guidance; they do not bind the Department or courts, and the Business and Professions Code (§§10131, 10133.2) governs.

Can an unlicensed assistant work an open house in California?

They may place signs, greet visitors and hand out approved materials; only a licensee may show the property or discuss terms.

The TC role

In ClosingCode every task has an owner – TC or agent – so steps that need a license stay with the licensed agent, and each completed task records who did it and when.

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Source: California Department of Real Estate, “Guidelines for Unlicensed Assistants who Work in the Real Estate Industry” (updated 2018), referring to Business and Professions Code §§10131 and 10133.2.

General information, not legal advice. Ask the DRE or a California real estate attorney about your own tasks. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage, and it is not affiliated with the DRE.