Recently I took the 40-hour pre-licensure MA real estate sales course and would like to get my real estate license. However, several years ago I was convicted of several felonies.
The felonies were mostly unarmed robberies, along with some other related charges, and I served 3 years in state prison. I then completed 3 years of probation in Superior Court without any issues. I am no longer on probation and have not been for over three years.
The crimes were quite out of character for me but they did happen and based on the new CORI-reform law, having been released in 2006 and having completed my probation in 2009, I believe it is another four years before my record can be "sealed."
My understanding is that felony convictions do not necessarily bar one from obtaining a MA real estate license, but that I will have to provide some documentation and character references. My questions are:
1) Do I have any chance at all of being able to get a license now? If not, will I have a chance in four years when I will have reached 10 years since the beginning of my probation sentence?
and if it might be possible to get the license now:
2) What is the best way to approach this?
3) What kind of references would carry the most weight?
4) Three references are required; can I submit more, as well as additional documentation?
It should not be a problem for me to get many references from various individuals who know about my situation and are willing to attest to my moral character. I may also be able to provide a letter from a broker saying that I can work for him assuming I get a license. Additionally I can obtain letters that go into more detail about the circumstances of the offenses and the steps I have taken to turn my life around. I have been gainfully employed by the same company (a prestigious university) for over 6 years now and have been promoted during that time to a position where I supervise several employees and regularly handle confidential information.
I would appreciate any advice about the best way for me to proceed. I am extremely interested in becoming a real estate agent and so if there is any chance that I can obtain a license now, it is important for me to consider all the factors that might help me do so, and approach it in the best way possible.
Thank you,
BG