We have your letter of January 26, 1955, requesting a formal opinion on several questions pertaining to the subject or returning or refunding fees under the law covering the licensing of real estate brokers and salesmen.

1. An associate broker may be licensed as a real estate salesman upon surrendering his associate broker's license without taking the real estate salesman's examination.  2. Such former associate broker, licensed as a salesman may not again be licensed as a broker without first passing the broker's examination.  3. A broker, whether active or inactive, must pay his renewal fee, must supply an active fidelity bond and give to the director the address of his official place of business and the director may permit this to be the license department in the case of an inactive broker.  4. The real estate director has authority to permit an applicant for a real estate salesman's license to take an examination without associating himself with a broker beforehand; however, he may, under established departmental policy require this information.