When a broker wants to store documents electronically, the storage method may not allow the final documents to be altered. What method of electronic document storage is required by the Department of Real Estate (DRE)?
Question & Answer
Review the question and all answer choices
Disc Operating System (DOS).
Disc Operating System (DOS) is a legacy computer operating system from the 1980s and has no relevance to modern electronic document storage standards or DRE compliance requirements. Including DOS as an option is a distractor that tests whether candidates can distinguish between historical computing terminology and current regulatory standards.
Save Now, Always and Keep Electronic (SNAKE).
Save Now, Always and Keep Electronic (SNAKE) is a fabricated acronym that does not correspond to any real technology, regulatory standard, or DRE requirement — it is a nonsense distractor designed to test whether candidates have actually studied the material. No such storage standard exists in California real estate law or in the broader field of information technology.
Write Once Read Many (WORM).
What method of electronic document storage is required by the Department of Real Estate (DRE)? a. Disc Operating System (DOS). b. Save Now, Always and Keep Electronic (SNAKE). c. Write Once Read Many (WORM). d. Random Access Memory (RAM).
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a type of volatile computer memory used for temporary data processing — it loses all stored data when power is removed and is entirely unsuitable for long-term document storage. RAM has no application to broker record-keeping requirements and is included as a distractor to test basic technology literacy.
Why is this correct?
Write Once Read Many (WORM) technology is specifically required by the California DRE for electronic document storage because it creates an immutable record — once a document is saved, it cannot be modified, ensuring that transaction records remain authentic and tamper-proof throughout the required retention period. This requirement directly addresses the DRE's concern that electronic records could be altered after the fact, which would undermine the evidentiary value of broker records in disputes, audits, or disciplinary proceedings. WORM-compliant storage systems include optical discs (such as CD-R and DVD-R), certain WORM tape formats, and compliant cloud storage solutions that meet the non-alterable standard.
Continue Learning
Explore this topic in different formats
More laws-of-agency-fiduciary-duties Videos
Continue learning with related video lessons
Before soliciting business for a brokerage office operating under a fictitious business name, the broker is not required to:
2:55 • 0 views
A disclosure which warns a buyer they may be liable for additional tax obligations after the close of escrow is the:
2:47 • 0 views
The seller states they will accept the buyer’s offer if the broker lowers their 6% commission by 25%. If the broker accepts, they will receive:
3:05 • 0 views
For a buyer’s broker to have the ability to negotiate their fee, the buyer’s broker needs to enter into an employment agreement with their buyer, called a(n):
2:38 • 0 views
A broker who fails to promptly disclose their dual agency status is subject to:
3:04 • 0 views
Ready to Ace Your Real Estate Exam?
Access 2,000+ free video lessons covering all 11 exam topics.