What is the purpose of the state real estate commission's disciplinary authority?

State real estate commissions have administrative disciplinary authority over licencees. Their primary mission is CONSUMER PROTECTION. Authority includes: investigating complaints from consumers, other licencees, and the commission itself; conducting hearings (administrative, not criminal); imposing sanctions: reprimand (written warning); probation; licence suspension (temporary); licence revocation (permanent removal); fines; civil penalties; consent orders (negotiated settlement). The commission's authority is administrative — it can take away your licence but cannot imprison you (that's criminal court). Serious violations can trigger both administrative action AND criminal prosecution (e.g., conversion of client funds). Licencees have due process rights in disciplinary proceedings.