Who has the authority to discipline licensees and impose penalties for license law violations?

• A. The Governor
• B. The Court of Appeals
• C. The Real Estate Board
• D. The Director of the Department of Licensing

Answer: (D)

In Washington, the authority to discipline licensees and impose penalties for license law violations rests with the Director of the Department of Licensing. The Department oversees the licensing program for real estate professionals, and the Director has the power to suspend, revoke, or otherwise discipline licenses and to impose civil penalties after due process. The Real Estate Commission (the board) handles investigations and rulemaking, but the final disciplinary orders come from the Director. The Governor does not handle individual license discipline, and the Court of Appeals is for reviewing disciplinary decisions, not for issuing them. This structure ensures licensing enforcement is carried out by a centralized regulatory authority with the appropriate due-process procedures.