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What’s in a Name? Advertising Name Types under TREC Rule 535.154

Definitions:

Broker Assumed Business Name (DBA) is another name for the broker’s business that can be used by all sponsored sales agents and brokers associated with this broker. Another name that indicates a broker’s line of business, e.g.  property management or commercial is also a DBA.

TREC's Advertising Rules - What You Need To Know

The effective date of the new rules is May 15, 2018, and we want to make sure everyone is thoroughly prepared for the changes.

Background

These rules are the result of years of work by the Commission and key stakeholders focusing on clarity of advertisements for consumers with the least restrictions on license holders. The rules also update, interpret and balance revised statutory requirements supporting free commerce and business competition with those protecting the consumer from misleading advertisements.

Do You Advertise Your Business? Read This!

Texas Real Estate Commission adopted new advertising rules at its November meeting. These rules are effective as of May 15, 2018, which gives license holders 6 months to comply with the updated requirements.
§535.154 lays out alternate, assumed business and team name registration requirements and §535.155 lays out the revised advertising requirements. You can read both rules on our website.

2017 Legislative Update from TREC

Memorial Day was the last day of the 85th Legislative session. Several bills were filed this session relating to the agency and its license holders but not all of those bills made it through the process.  Following is a summary of bills that passed both houses of the Legislature and have direct effect on license holders.

Brokers, This Is What SB 1968 Means for You

The Texas Real Estate Broker Responsibility Advisory Committee (BRAC) met on July 16, 2025, for the first time post the regular legislative session. Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) staff briefed committee members on the passage of Senate Bill 1968. The remainder of the meeting was a review of potential changes to the education and experience requirements for a broker license.

SB 1968: TREC’s Housekeeping Bill

SB 1968 passed and is effective January 1, 2026. BRAC’s recommendations included in this bill are:

BLC Covers Changes to Temporary Lease Forms, Water Notice, and Tweaks to Paragraph 12A

The Texas Real Estate Broker-Lawyer Committee met for more than six hours on June 13, covering topics ranging from legislative session outcomes and whether they affect TREC forms, considered a draft water rights notice, and discussed how license holders have implemented the changes to Paragraph 12.

First ESAC Meeting of 2025 Focuses on Exam Proctoring

For the Texas Real Estate Commission, 2025 opens with the first meeting of the year held by the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC). Its January 6 agenda began with an introduction of new members:

  • Christina Valero, license holder member
  • Christopher Gonzales, license holder member
  • Paul Silverman, educator

Reappointments were also made: