Penalties for Practicing Real Estate Without License

BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONS CODE
SECTION 10130-10149

10130.  It is unlawful for any person to engage in the business, act in the capacity of, advertise or assume to act as a real estate broker or a real estate salesman within this state without first obtaining a real estate license from the department.   

The commissioner may prefer a complaint for violation of this section before any court of competent jurisdiction, and the commissioner and his counsel, deputies or assistants may assist in presenting the law or facts at the trial.   

It is the duty of the district attorney of each county in this state to prosecute all violations of this section in their respective counties in which the violations occur.   10139.  Any person acting as a real estate broker or real estate salesperson without a license or who advertises using words indicating that he or she is a real estate broker without being so licensed shall be guilty of a public offense punishable by a fine not exceeding ten thousand dollars ($10,000), or by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not to exceed six months, or by both fine and imprisonment; or if a corporation, be punished by a fine not exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).