California Department of Real Estate announces settlement with Real Estate Trainers, Inc, former RETI President Lance McHarg | News
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Department of Real Estate (DRE) has reached a settlement with Real Estate Trainers, Inc. (RETI) and its former President, Lance McHarg.
Officials say the action follows an investigation revealing McHarg’s repeated failures to pass the real estate license exam and his subsequent misuse of exam content.
DRE found that McHarg used the exam material to create educational resources for RETI students preparing for the state’s real estate license exam. This breach led to significant disciplinary measures against McHarg and RETI.
“The subversion of real estate license examination content is something DRE takes very seriously,” said Assistant Commissioner Jeff Oboyski. “Ensuring that those who attempt to compromise the integrity of our real estate license exams are held accountable for their actions underscores DRE’s commitment to consumer protection,” said Oboyski.
Through the settlement, McHarg is barred for three years from any involvement with California real estate license exams or related positions. RETI is similarly restricted from offering exam preparation courses using compromised exam content for the same period.
The settlement also requires McHarg and RETI to pay $60,000 in penalties and investigation costs. Additionally, McHarg must step down from all roles within RETI.
DRE’s Education and Research section oversees the approval of real estate education courses. Currently, there are 63 continuing education providers with 525 approved courses and 163 pre-license providers with 859 approved courses.
For those seeking more information on DRE’s educational requirements and approved courses, visit www.dre.ca.gov.
