Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics Syllabus

Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics in Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Federal Fair Housing Law

   4 topics

   • The Fair Housing Act and Protected Classes
     • Race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, disability
     • Civil Rights Act of 1866 (race, no exemptions)
   • Prohibited Discriminatory Practices
     • Steering, blockbusting, and redlining
     • Discriminatory advertising
   • Exemptions and Reasonable Accommodation
     • Mrs. Murphy and other limited exemptions
     • Reasonable accommodations, modifications, and assistance animals
     • ADA accessibility requirements
   • Enforcement and Penalties
     • HUD complaints and the role of fair housing
2. 2

   License Law and Regulatory Framework

   3 topics

   • Licensing Requirements and the Real Estate Commission
     • Salesperson vs. broker licensure
     • Education, examination, and renewal requirements
     • Continuing education and license reciprocity
   • Activities Requiring a License
     • Defined brokerage activities and exemptions
   • Disciplinary Action and Enforcement
     • Grounds for suspension and revocation
     • Recovery funds and consumer remedies
3. 3

   Disclosure Obligations and Risk Management

   3 topics

   • Property Condition Disclosures
     • Seller's disclosure statements
     • Material facts and stigmatized property
     • Federal lead-based paint disclosure
   • Misrepresentation and Fraud
     • Negligent vs. intentional misrepresentation
     • Puffing vs. fraud
   • Errors and Omissions Insurance
4. 4

   Professional Ethics and Standards of Practice

   3 topics

   • Codes of Ethics
     • Duties to clients, customers, the public, and other agents
   • Antitrust Compliance
     • Price-fixing, group boycotts, and market allocation
   • Data Privacy and Consumer Protection

Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics flashcards for Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

19 of 50 cards from the Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What federal law is the Fair Housing Act, and what year was it originally enacted?

   It is Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968, prohibiting discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of housing.

2. List the seven protected classes under the federal Fair Housing Act.

   Race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation/gender identity), disability (handicap), and familial status.

3. Which two protected classes were added to the Fair Housing Act by the 1988 amendments?

   Disability (handicap) and familial status.

4. What does 'familial status' protect under the Fair Housing Act?

   Households with one or more children under 18 living with a parent or guardian, pregnant persons, and those securing custody of a child.

5. Under the Fair Housing Act, what is 'steering'?

   Directing prospective buyers or renters toward or away from certain neighborhoods based on a protected class, limiting their housing choices.

6. Define 'blockbusting' as a prohibited practice.

   Inducing owners to sell or rent by suggesting that people of a particular protected class are moving into the neighborhood (panic selling).

7. What is 'redlining' in fair housing?

   The illegal practice of denying or restricting loans, insurance, or services in certain neighborhoods based on the protected-class makeup of the residents.

8. Define 'discriminatory advertising' under the Fair Housing Act.

   Publishing any statement or ad for the sale or rental of housing that indicates a preference, limitation, or discrimination based on a protected class.

9. What is the 'Mrs. Murphy' exemption?

   Owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units are exempt from certain Fair Housing Act provisions (but not from discriminatory advertising rules).

10. When is a single-family home sale/rental exempt from the Fair Housing Act?

    When sold or rented by an owner who owns three or fewer homes, without a broker, and without discriminatory advertising.

11. Even when an exemption applies, what Fair Housing prohibition still always applies?

    The prohibition against discriminatory advertising (and the ban on discrimination based on race never has an exemption under the 1866 Civil Rights Act).

12. What does the Civil Rights Act of 1866 prohibit, and why is it significant?

    It prohibits all racial discrimination in property transactions with no exemptions, providing absolute protection against race-based discrimination.

13. What is a 'reasonable accommodation' under fair housing for persons with disabilities?

    A change in rules, policies, or services (e.g., allowing a service animal despite a no-pets policy) needed to give a disabled person equal use of housing; paid for by the housing provider.

14. What is a 'reasonable modification' under fair housing, and who pays for it?

    A physical change to a dwelling (e.g., a ramp or grab bars) needed by a disabled person; generally the tenant pays for it in private housing.

15. Can a landlord charge an extra pet deposit for a service or assistance animal?

    No. Service and assistance animals are not pets, so no pet deposit or fee may be charged for them.

16. Which federal agency enforces the Fair Housing Act?

    The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

17. What is the deadline to file a fair housing complaint with HUD?

    Within one year of the alleged discriminatory act.

18. What is the deadline to file a fair housing lawsuit directly in federal court?

    Within two years of the alleged discriminatory act.

19. What is the maximum civil penalty HUD can impose for a first-time fair housing violation?

    Approximately $16,000 to $21,000 for a first offense (the amount increases for repeat violations).

See more Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics flashcards →

Planning Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics for Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam

Fair Housing, License Law, and Ethics (Real Estate Salesperson Licensing Exam) FAQ