Yes, I use a Transaction Coordinator (TC) and have always done so.
No we're not provided them for free, but we can hire our in-house TC's. I work with an outside independent TC.

Over the past 26 years, I've worked with six TCs. While they don’t need to be licensed, four out of the six I've employed were licensed. My current TC, hired last January, is licensed and performs exceptionally well.

My best TC (2011-2013) was also my personal assistant, and I miss her; unfortunately, she was offered a better salary that exceeded my budget back then, coming out of The Crash.

I prefer to focus on high-value tasks, as I don't have the time to manage paperwork. As the CEO, my efforts are directed towards work that generates $500 per hour, while I leave $20 per hour tasks to others.

I have used a TC a couple of times in my career, but like Nina, I can do it quicker and with complete accuracy faster than the TCs did.   It made it harder, as then I had to watch to ensure the dates didn't pass.   

Hello Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate all the transaction coordinator and or real estate assistant I worked with have been licensed in California.

We use a TC and she is great. Live in a different state but is licensed in CA.

My brokerage provides free transaction coordination. Some agents have their own. What they do depends on the licensure status. I stopped using TC's more years ago than I can count. I found I could do the work more quickly and accurately than any TC. As a result I also do not avail myself of TC services offered by my brokerage.

Funny, we discussed this on the Zoom call yesterday, Fred! I've had the same licensed assistant for 15 years. She is now going back to grad school and for a few months, I didn't think I could manage without her! She still helps me with my mailings and planning events but, the day-to-day transactions are a challenge! 

I have access to a company-provided transaction coordinator but, I didn't want to train someone in 'my' methods! Yes, I'm a little OCD! And after 15 years, I really don't want to have to train anyone else. The office TC does basic uploading for me to the company required record-keeping site. Other than that, I'm doing my own document filing. 

What my assistant used to do with regards to farming and sphere contacts, my company also provides that at no charge. So, I'm in a good spot now, even though I miss my amazing right arm assistant during the day-to-day!

T.C.'s are valuable as their only focus is what they do i.e. paperwork & expediting toward close of escrow. Worth their fees & gift giving

I have a very small office and am a control freak, LOL so I have no need for a TC. 

HAVING SAID THAT, when I worked for Pru, the OFFICE had an adorable 19 y/o TC who knew nothing about real estate, only the docs needed for the file. She would ask for unnecessary documents like a septic disclosure when the property was on sewer.
Many 'teams' with TCs licensed or not have no idea what they are doing and the 'leader' is not training or supervising them. 

If I had a huge office, I might have a different opinion. But if you feel you NEED a TC, they don't need to be licensed but they do need to be TRAINED! 

Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

I have never hired a TC, I have no need. I like everything done right and I am responsible for myself and I will own it, if I make a mistake. I feel like if I had one, I would still need to monitor everything the TC was doing, it would be double work.

I do not use TCs, I don't think they're necessary at my level.  The California Association of Realtors (CAR), Transaction and Regulatory Committee, has a task force to investigate what type of training or licensure should be required of TCs.  Furthermore, CAR is forming a task force to investigate licensing not just for TCs, but for all other forms of real estate activity.

Our office has an assistant.  She doesn't work directly with clients or answer the phone if an agent is in the office.  She makes fliers, enters data, sets of texts and emails for lock box data, pays bills under the direction and supervision of the broker.

We use both, TC has to be licensed.

That would be double the work for me, Fred Griffin Florida Real Estate 

In CA the broker is required to review and effectively sign off on all paperwork,  Given that I am the Broker, I would have to review. 

As others have stated, I have my own ways and systems, and I want things done correctly, aka, the right way! 

We are not required to use TC in my company. No license is required for them in Socal I believe ~ however often realtors become TCs so they have some experience.

A good TC saves a lot of time and keeps you accountable~ the cost here starts from $100(minimal help) to 600+ per side. 

I do not use TCs and have had two situations that were detrimental to the transaction.  The first one was access to show the property.  This TC team did not reply to phone calls or emails.  I had a first time buyer that wrote a full price offer subject to appraisal.  The short version - property did not appraise and buyer had a lawyer advocating for the seller to pay for the appraisal and inspection before buyer would sign the release/cancellation. Ultimately, seller reimbursed buyer.

The second one is now.  This team has a half dozen people who wish to be copied every step of the way.  Since they were later to the party, I replied the selling agent has received these items on your list and to obtain from your side of the transaction.  This TC team also copied the condo assoc manager for the same documents.  I informed them not to bother this busy manager as the items had already been provided.  Tunnel vision.  We are not yet closed and will do so despite these annoying challenges that have been overcome by this agent.