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District of Columbia: what an unlicensed TC can do

What District of Columbia law says about unlicensed transaction coordinators, what needs a license, and why the clerical exemption is narrow.

Last reviewed October 2026 from D.C. Code 47-2853.181. District of Columbia contract deadlines →

Yes, you can work as a TC in District of Columbia without a real estate license.Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them. Here's where the line is.

What you can do without a license

A real estate broker "shall be held accountable for the day-to-day job-related activities of his or her employees" (D.C. Code 47-2853.161(2)). Commission rules count written policies on the "Use and limitations of unlicensed personal assistants" as a factor in whether a broker's supervision is adequate (17 DCMR 2614.7(c)(5)).

You can do (no license needed)

  • Work for a licensed broker in a solely stenographic or clerical role, as long as you don't perform, offer or attempt any activity that needs a license.

Needs a license

  • List for sale, sell, exchange, buy, rent or lease real property for a fee.
  • Negotiate the purchase, sale or exchange of real estate, or negotiate a loan on real estate.
  • Manage, lease or rent real estate for others.
  • Practice, attempt or offer to practice real estate without a license.
  • Call yourself a real estate broker or salesperson, or use any title or card suggesting you are licensed.
The clerical exemption is narrowDC publishes no list of tasks for assistants. The only exemption that fits a TC covers "Any person who is employed by a licensed real estate broker or property manager in a solely stenographic or clerical capacity and who does not perform, offer, agree, or attempt to perform, any of the activities" that need a license (D.C. Code 47-2853.181(5); 17 DCMR 2624.3(e)). It names employees of a licensed broker, so a TC working as an independent contractor isn't clearly covered. Ask your broker what you may handle.

A practical example

You can:
Scan, file and log the signed documents your agent sends you.
Refer to the agent:
The buyer's agent asks whether the seller will take a lower price. Send it to your agent.

Staying on the right side of the rules

Your broker's written policies

Commission rules list written policies on the "Review of contracts, leases, and brokerage agreements upon execution by all parties" and on the "Use and limitations of unlicensed personal assistants" among the factors for judging whether a broker's supervision is adequate (17 DCMR 2614.7(c)(4)-(5)). Ask for your broker's policy.

Rentals are different

A person does not need a property manager's license to deliver or receive lease applications and leases, show a rental unit, or carry out "ministerial, administrative, or clerical tasks" for property management (17 DCMR 2624.4). This covers the property manager license only, not sales work.

Penalties

"No person shall practice, attempt to practice, or offer to practice" a licensed occupation without a license (D.C. Code 47-2853.02(a)). A violation can bring up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $10,000, or both, and up to $25,000 for a repeat conviction (47-2853.27).

How Closima handles it

Closima asks whether you hold a District of Columbia license. If you don't, purchase agreements and addenda go to your agent with a link: they check every value and complete the form, and Closima records that a licensee completed it. If you do, you fill them in yourself and send them to your agent for approval before they go out. Everything else (deadlines, documents, emails, other forms) works as usual.

Thinking about a license?

You don't need one to work as a TC in District of Columbia. A license lets you also do the work in the "Needs a license" column, under a broker. Here's what's involved:

DC's first license is the salesperson license. Complete 60 hours of salesperson prelicense education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider, then pass both the national and DC portions of the salesperson exam, which PSI schedules. Submit your license application with the fees within six months of passing the exam. How to apply.

Quick answers

Do you need a license to be a transaction coordinator in District of Columbia?

No. You can work as a TC in District of Columbia without a real estate license. Stick to administrative work under a licensed agent and their broker, and leave anything that needs a license to them.

Can an unlicensed TC fill out a purchase agreement in District of Columbia?

DC has no rule on it and exempts only solely clerical work, so leave completing sales contracts to the licensee.

What can an unlicensed TC do in District of Columbia?

Work for a licensed broker in a solely stenographic or clerical role, as long as you don't perform, offer or attempt any activity that needs a license.

What needs a real estate license in District of Columbia?

List for sale, sell, exchange, buy, rent or lease real property for a fee; negotiate the purchase, sale or exchange of real estate, or negotiate a loan on real estate; manage, lease or rent real estate for others; practice, attempt or offer to practice real estate without a license; call yourself a real estate broker or salesperson, or use any title or card suggesting you are licensed.

How do you get a real estate license in District of Columbia?

DC's first license is the salesperson license. Complete 60 hours of salesperson prelicense education from a DC Real Estate Commission-approved provider, then pass both the national and DC portions of the salesperson exam, which PSI schedules. Submit your license application with the fees within six months of passing the exam.

Resources

Questions about what's allowed? Ask the regulator: DC Real Estate Commission (Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection), 202-671-4500, [email protected].

Source: D.C. Code 47-2853.181, Exemptions from licensure requirement, and 17 DCMR Chapter 26, Real Estate Licenses (DC Real Estate Commission, Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection) (D.C. Code as amended by D.C. Law 16-130 (2006); 17 DCMR 2614 and 2624 from 52 DCR 6962 (July 29, 2005)).

Buying or selling a home yourself? These pages are for people who work in real estate. Work with a licensed agent or a real estate attorney.

General information, not legal advice. Rules change, and your broker's policies may be stricter: confirm your duties with your supervising broker and your state's real estate regulator.

See also: District of Columbia contract deadlines · TC duties, licensed and unlicensed · How to become a transaction coordinator

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