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Unlicensed Assistants

MLS access shall be granted to unlicensed staff persons, through one broker only, upon
submission of the proper form and the signature of the Designated Realtor.


For purposes of this policy, an active license with a referral company is not considered
‘unlicensed’ regardless of the fact that the individual may not be licensed with the company for
whom they are employed.


There shall be no initial fee or monthly charge for unlicensed, clerical staff, and GRAR staff shall
provide a list of names of unlicensed staff to the DR each month with the MLS invoice. Staff shall
attempt to identify when an unlicensed, clerical staff person has not logged into the system within
the prior 60 days and, if not, access be discontinued.


MLS access shall be provided to unlicensed staff persons who are within the U.S. Requests for
access by unlicensed staff persons who are out of the country shall be considered on a case-bycase basis. At a minimum, the unlicensed staff person shall be required to use 2-factor
authentication using a one-time-code (OTC) sent to a phone number that has been registered
with GRAR as the unlicensed staff person’s individual cell phone. The unlicensed staff person
will be required to sign a use agreement that, among other things, specifies that the access
provided to him/her shall not be shared with any other person or company/firm for any reason.

An MLS-only member type is limited to a one-to-one ratio of agents to unlicensed persons.
Unlicensed Assistants MAY NOT:

  • Conduct telephone solicitation calls. If John Doe, an unlicensed assistant, calls and
    indicates he represents ABC Realty, one is led to believe the purpose of the call is to
    engage in real estate activities. The definition of broker and salesperson in the Code
    includes one who “lists or attempts to list”. Therefore, a call by an unlicensed assistant
    identifying him- or herself as a “representative” of a real estate company is an attempt to
    list even if specific terms are not discussed at that time.
  • Independently show or demonstrate property to prospective buyers;
  • Make cold calls by telephone or in person to potential sellers, purchasers, tenants or
    landlords:
  • Answer any questions on title insurance, financing or closings;
  • Independently hold open houses for brokers, or staff booths in home shows or fairs;
  • Solicit business through telephone prospecting;
  • Give additional information not included in prepared written promotional material that has
    been distributed to the public (e.g., newspaper ads, flyers, brochures);
  • Represent themselves as an agent for a real estate broker or the owner/seller of property;
  • Have their name printed on business cards, stationery, or websites that would imply they
    are an agent for the real estate broker;
  • Perform any of the acts for which a license is required under Michigan Real Estate License
    Law. (MCL 339.2501 et seq.


In the event that an unlicensed assistant attached to a member broker or team violates policy by
performing an action referenced above, the Designated REALTOR and/or Team Leader shall be
held responsible and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the Professional Standards
Committee. In addition, the unlicensed assistant’s MLS access and electronic lockbox access (if
applicable) shall be suspended

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