What is a potential penalty for acting as a dealer without a license?

The correct assessment of the consequences for acting as a dealer without the appropriate license highlights a civil penalty that does not exceed $2,000. This reflects regulatory measures in place to ensure that individuals or businesses are compliant with legal standards governing the sale of modular or manufactured housing.

Penalties like these are intended to underscore the importance of adhering to licensing requirements, which are established to protect both the consumers and the industry by ensuring that dealers are properly vetted and trained. This monetary penalty is significant yet manageable, allowing for enforcement without completely devastating a business's ability to operate.

In the context of the other options, fines represent smaller penalties that might not adequately address the seriousness of unlicensed operation. Similarly, while losing business for a specific period can be a risk associated with non-compliance, the potential of a permanent ban from selling would typically require more serious violations or repeated offenses. The civil penalty approach allows regulatory bodies to maintain industry standards without overly harsh repercussions that could lead to loss of livelihood.