Remember when the California Bureau of Real Estate (CalBRE) was called the Department of Real Estate (DRE)? Well, those days are soon returning.

The California legislature recently passed SB 173, which:

  • renames the CalBRE the DRE; and
  • removes the CalBRE from the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to classify it as an independent department under the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency (BCSH).

The new rules become effective July 1, 2018.

Real estate brokers and agents may recall conforming their existing marketing materials to “CalBRE” in 2013. Then, the DRE was renamed under the Governor’s Reorganization Plan 2 (GRP 2) and became a bureau within the DCA.

The consolidation of California agencies was intended to streamline government services and save money.

However, supporters of SB 173 claim the changes significantly increased costs for the CalBRE and reduced its efficiency. Further, bill analysis reports the CalBRE has encountered a lack of human resources support and utility payment issues from the DCA since its relocation.

Thus, the new legislation will effectively reverse those 2013 changes, returning the CalBRE DRE to its place as a separate department alongside the DCA and under the BCSH.

So, brokers and agents: be prepared to welcome back the DRE and embark on another mission to update your business materials in conformance with new government changes.