Will My Real Estate License Be Revoked for a Criminal Conviction?

 Posted on January 05, 2023 in Medical License Defense

Getting a real estate license in Illinois is no easy feat. In addition to licensing courses, exams, and completing training with a sponsoring broker, there is endless ongoing research into market trends, local housing prices, and government regulations. The threat of losing one’s real estate license because of a criminal conviction or for any other reason could mean years of hard work and personal investment gone to waste. If you are facing sanctions to your professional real estate license, make sure you speak with an Illinois professional license defense attorney right away.

Crimes That Can Trigger Real Estate License Sanctions

Many crimes are serious enough to allow sanctions against a real estate license, and some may even prevent someone from getting their license in the first place. Although the crimes are not limited to those related to real estate, crimes that are connected to real estate in any way are top of the list. These include, but are not limited to:

• Financial crimes, such as embezzlement, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, failing to pay state taxes, or robbery
• Fraudulent crimes, such as forgery, identity theft, writing bad checks, or bank fraud

However, other crimes can land you in serious trouble as well. These include arson, rape, theft, assault, perjury, and more. If you are facing criminal charges, it is important to have a competent criminal defense attorney as well as a professional license defense attorney.

The length of your license suspension can vary. Even if you are certain you have not committed a crime, simply failing to comply with the IDFPR’s request for documents about your case can land you in serious trouble.

Can I Get My Real Estate License if I Committed a Crime in the Past?

If you notify the IDFPR about any prior convictions before you complete your real estate application, you are likely to have your license approved. In fact, around 95 percent of applicants with prior criminal convictions do have their licenses approved in Illinois. There are no prior convictions which are an automatic bar to getting your real estate license. However, hiding a conviction and then having it uncovered later can threaten your license. Juvenile convictions or convictions for records that have been sealed or expunged need not be disclosed.

Contact an Illinois Real Estate License Defense Lawyer

If you are a real estate agent facing disciplinary action against your license, or if you already lost your license and are wondering what you need to do to get it back, contact the experienced Illinois real estate license defense professionals at The Law Offices of Joseph J. Bogdan, Inc.. We handle each case with the utmost confidentiality and care so you have the best chance at recovering your ability to practice your profession. Call 630-310-1267 today and schedule a free consultation.

Sources: 

https://www.illinoisrealtors.org/education/real-estate-license-illinois/

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/FAQ/RealEstate/DRE%20Criminal%20Convictions%20FAQs.pdf