32-2125

32-2125. Licenses for corporations, limited liability companies or partnerships

A. A corporation, limited liability company or partnership applying for a broker's license for the entity shall designate a natural person who is licensed as a broker and who is an officer of the corporation, manager of the limited liability company if management of the limited liability company is vested in one or more managers, member of the limited liability company if management is vested in the members or partner of the partnership who shall act as designated broker. The license shall extend no authority to act as designated broker to any other person. This subsection does not apply to a corporation or limited liability company applying for a license under subsection B of this section. An entity's broker's license issued pursuant to this subsection shall run concurrently with the corporation's, limited liability company's or partnership's designated broker's license.

B. An employing broker may engage the services of salespersons and associate brokers who act through and on behalf of professional corporations or professional limited liability companies that are licensed by the department. A designated broker who acts on behalf of an employing real estate entity is permitted to become a professional corporation or a professional limited liability corporation. Any person so engaged shall be separately licensed. The department shall issue to or renew a license under this subsection only for a professional corporation or a professional limited liability corporation whose shareholders, members or managers hold active real estate licenses. A corporation licensed under this subsection shall meet the requirements of title 10, chapter 20. A limited liability company licensed under this subsection shall meet the requirements of title 29, chapter 4, article 11. A professional corporation or professional limited liability company shall not be licensed as an employing broker.

C. The license of a corporation or limited liability company licensed under subsection B of this section terminates only upon the death of a shareholder, member or manager or any other change of shareholders, members or managers, except that any remaining shareholder, member or manager who was an authorized officer and shareholder prior to the change remains authorized to continue business under the corporation's or limited liability company's license for up to an additional ninety days pending the issuance of a new license.

D. The commissioner may suspend, revoke or deny renewal or the right of renewal of the license of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership licensed under this section if the corporation, limited liability company or partnership or any shareholder, officer, agent, partner or member of a corporation, limited liability company or partnership violates any of the provisions of this chapter.

E. Nothing in this section shall be construed to enlarge the functions of salespersons, to permit salespersons to assume any of the responsibilities or functions of brokers or to relieve the commissioner of any regulatory power or authority over salespersons or brokers.

F. A corporation, limited liability company or partnership licensed under subsection A of this section or a professional corporation or professional limited liability company licensed under subsection B of this section is exempt from the education requirements imposed pursuant to this chapter. The commissioner shall not charge a license fee or a renewal fee pursuant to section 32-2132 to a corporation, professional corporation, limited liability company, professional limited liability company or partnership licensed or approved under this section.

G. A corporation, limited liability company or partnership licensed under this section shall report to the department within ten days:

1. Any change in officers, directors, members, managers or partners or any change of control of the entity.

2. Any amendment to its articles of incorporation or organization or to its partnership agreement.

3. If a corporation, when a person becomes an owner of ten per cent or more of the stock in the corporation.

4. The dissolution of the corporation, limited liability company or partnership.