California real estate trainer fined, banned for exam violations

“The undermining of the content of real estate licensing exams is something that DRE takes very seriously,” CDRE Assistant Commissioner Jeff Oboyski said in a statement. “Ensuring that those who attempt to compromise the integrity of our real estate licensing exams are held accountable for their actions underscores DRE’s commitment to consumer protection.”

As a result of the settlement, McHarg and RETI will be required to pay $60,000 in monetary penalties, damages and costs incurred by the CDRE’s investigation and litigation.

In addition, McHarg is barred from applying for or sitting for a California real estate license exam. He also may not hold a real estate license for three years, or hold any position of “employment, instructor, management, control or ownership in any real estate business or any business offering pre-licensing, continuing education or any form of real estate license exam preparation courses.”

McHarg’s former company – as well as all of its officers, directors, instructors and other affiliates – is also barred from applying for or participating in any California real estate license exam.

In addition, it may not offer any real estate licensing exam preparation course or pre-licensure courses that use questions copied or subverted from DRE licensing exams for three years. RETI must also remove McHarg as an instructor, officer, director agent, employee, independent contractor, employee or affiliate of the company.

RETI and McHarg did not immediately return HousingWire‘s request for comment.