The new inspector qualifying education and experience requirements for real estate and professional inspector licenses begin March 1, 2021. Applicants who have registered for qualifying courses prior to March 1, 2021, under the previous education requirements, will have until June 30, 2021, to complete all coursework and submit certificates with a completed application under those requirements. 

Overview of Education Changes 

The total number of hours of qualifying education required for a professional inspector license under the substitute experience pathway has been reduced by nearly half of those hours currently required.  New course modules that more closely align with the national exam content outline and Texas-specific components will replace current qualifying courses.  An applicant without sponsored experience as an apprentice or real estate inspector will have the ability to complete additional Texas modules and a practicum in place of experience.  These changes will provide a consistent approach to inspector education and better prepare applicants to enter the industry.  

Students may enroll in new courses as they become available and can search for qualifying course providers of the new course modules online.  

Overview of Exam Changes 

In addition, applicants can take the national portion of the licensing exam after completion of all of the national course modules before continuing on with the Texas modules and state portion of the exam. This allows an applicant to finish each portion of the coursework and exam separately if they choose to do so.  Applicants will still be able to complete all national and state course modules and take both portions of the exam together if they choose to do so. 

These changes are a reflection of the TREC’s commitment to making qualifying license requirements more meaningful while minimizing undue burdens on those entering the industry. The new requirements for applications for Real Estate Inspector and Professional Inspector are already published on the TREC website. TREC will continue to show the requirements for those applicants who began coursework prior to March 1, 2021, on the TREC website for those that may need the information.  

For questions please contact TREC at information@trec.texas.gov.