New inspector pre-licensing education and experience requirements begin March 1, 2021.  The new experience requirement includes a 40 hour Texas Practicum, which must consist of a minimum of five complete and in-person inspections.  In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, TREC will grant a temporary allowance for on-site inspections to take place virtually, as long as the Practicum instructor conducts inspections live and on-site, and the instructor and students are able to interact with each other in real-time through both audio and video. 

PLEASE NOTE:  The use of pre-recorded video inspection does not meet the requirements for a virtual Practicum. 

When offering a virtual Practicum, the following protocols must be followed:

• The Practicum instructor must conduct inspections live and on-site;
• Students must be able to see and hear the instructor and see the instructor’s live feed at all times;
• The instructor and students must be able to communicate with each other through audio and video in real-time;
• Instructors must ensure student participation throughout the entirety of each Practicum inspection through the use of live audio and video;
• No more than four students participate in each Practicum inspection; and
• Inspectors must follow recommended safety protocols during property inspections. 

If you have any questions about offering or conducting a virtual Practicum, please contact us at 512-936-3120 or education@trec.texas.gov.