(a) As often as the commissioner deems necessary and appropriate, the commissioner shall examine the affairs of each real estate broker who is required to notify the commissioner or obtain a license endorsement pursuant to Section 10166.02 for compliance with this part. These examinations shall also include a review of the affairs of all real estate brokers and real estate salespersons acting under the supervision of each real estate broker who is required to file reports with the department pursuant to Section 10166.07. The commissioner shall appoint suitable persons to perform these examinations. The commissioner and his or her appointees may examine the books, records, and documents of the licensee, and may examine the licensee’s officers, directors, employees, or agents under oath regarding the licensee’s operations. The commissioner may cooperate with any agency of the state or federal government, other states, agencies, the Federal National Mortgage Association, or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. The commissioner may accept an examination conducted by one of these entities in place of an examination by the commissioner under this section, unless the commissioner determines that the examination does not provide information necessary to enable the commissioner to fulfill his or her responsibilities under this division.

(b) The commissioner may impose a penalty against a real estate broker or real estate salesperson whose affairs are examined or reviewed pursuant to subdivision (a) based on the findings of the examination or review. The commissioner may suspend or revoke the license or license endorsement of a real estate broker or real estate salesperson who fails to pay that penalty. In addition, the commissioner may bring an action in an appropriate court of this state to collect payment of the penalty.

(c) Penalties collected pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be deposited into the Consumer Recovery Account of the Real Estate Fund and shall, upon appropriation by the Legislature, be available for expenditure for the purposes specified in Chapter 6.5 (commencing with Section 10470).

(d) The statement of the findings of an examination conducted pursuant to this section shall belong to the commissioner and shall not be disclosed to anyone other than the licensee, law enforcement officials, or other state or federal regulatory agencies for further investigation and enforcement. Reports required of licensees by the commissioner under this division and results of examinations performed by the commissioner under this division are the property of the commissioner.

(Amended by Stats. 2011, Ch. 712, Sec. 8. (SB 706) Effective January 1, 2012.)