(A) An out-of-state commercial broker, for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, or in the expectation, or upon the promise of receiving or collecting a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, may perform those acts that require a license under this chapter, with respect to commercial real estate, provided that the out-of-state commercial broker does all of the following:

(1) Works in cooperation with an Ohio real estate broker who holds a valid, active license issued under this chapter;

(2) Enters into a written agreement with the Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section that includes the terms of cooperation and compensation and a statement that the out-of-state commercial broker and its agents will agree to adhere to the laws of Ohio;

(3) Furnishes the Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section with a copy of the out-of-state commercial broker's current certificate of good standing from any jurisdiction where the out-of-state commercial broker maintains an active real estate license;

(4) Files an irrevocable written consent with the Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section that legal actions arising out of the conduct of the out-of-state commercial broker or its agents may be commenced against the out-of-state commercial broker in the court of proper jurisdiction of any county in Ohio where the cause of action arises or where the plaintiff resides;

(5) Includes the name of the Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section on all advertising in accordance with section 4735.16 of the Revised Code;

(6) Deposits all escrow funds, security deposits, and other money received by either the out-of-state commercial broker or Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section in trust or special accounts maintained by the Ohio broker;

(7) Deposits all documentation required by this section and records and documents related to the transaction with the Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section. The Ohio broker described in division (A)(1) of this section shall retain the documentation that is provided by the out-of-state commercial broker as required under division (A)(7) of this section, and the records and documents related to a transaction, for a period of three years after the date the documentation is provided, or the transaction occurred, as appropriate.

(B) An out-of-state commercial salesperson may perform those acts that require a real estate salesperson license under this chapter with respect to commercial real estate, provided that the out-of-state commercial salesperson meets all of the following requirements:

(1) Is licensed with and works under the direct supervision of the out-of-state commercial broker;

(2) The out-of-state commercial broker with whom the salesperson is associated meets all of the requirements of division (A) of this section;

(3) Provides the Ohio broker who is working in cooperation with the out-of-state broker with whom the salesperson is associated, with a copy of the commercial salesperson's current certificate of good standing from the jurisdiction where the out-of-state commercial salesperson maintains an active real estate license in connection with the out-of-state commercial broker;

(4) Collects money, including commissions, deposits, payments, rentals, or otherwise, only in the name of and with the consent of the out-of-state commercial broker under whom the out-of-state commercial salesperson is licensed.

(C) By filing a consent-to-jurisdiction document as described under division (A)(4) of this section, the person giving the consent makes and constitutes the secretary of state as an agent for service of process in this state including service of summonses and subpoenas. Service of process upon any person may be initiated by leaving with the secretary of state or an assistant secretary of state four copies of the process, an affidavit stating the address of the person given on the consent-to-jurisdiction document, and a fee of five dollars. Upon receipt of the process, affidavit, and fee, the secretary of state immediately shall give notice of the process to the person, at the address given in the affidavit and forward to that address by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the process. Service is considered to be complete upon the mailing of the notice and copy of process in accordance with this division.

(D) A person, partnership, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or corporation licensed in a jurisdiction where there is no legal distinction between a real estate broker license and a real estate salesperson license must meet the requirements of division (A) of this section before engaging in any activity described in this section that requires a real estate broker license in this state.

Effective Date: 04-05-2002 .