The Commission recently voted to eliminate references in TREC rule §535.92(f) to professional designations and automatic CE credit for taking courses required to obtain one of these designations. These amendments eliminate an alternative path for license holders to request CE credit for professional designations and removes the list of specific designations. 

The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met by videoconference on October 4, 2021.  ESAC Chair Kelea Youngblood opened the meeting by honoring the life and accomplishments of ESAC member and long-time license holder, Lynda Conway. Ruben Pena was welcomed back to the committee in her place. 

An upload feature has been added to the CE Posting System. The upload feature allows CE providers to use a CSV file to upload CE course completions for real estate agents, inspectors, and appraisers as an alternative method to manual entry.

Education providers can electronically provide TREC their course content, text materials, quizzes, exercises, and exams using SharePoint. The only item education providers must send by mail is the application form and the required fee. Once mailed, contact the Education & Examinations Division to receive instructions for using SharePoint.

The new 8 Hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and Standards of Practice Review course is effective on September 1, 2021. This course replaces the 4-hour Inspector Legal and Ethics and the 4 hour Standards of Practice Review courses. 

The current inspector non-elective CE courses, 4-hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and 4-hour Standards of Practice Review course expire on August 31, 2021.  Please be sure all students enrolled in these courses are notified to complete these two courses before August 31, 2021.

The new 8 Hour Inspector Legal & Ethics and Standards of Practice Review course will replace the two inspector non-elective courses on September 1, 2021. What does this mean for education providers? 

The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on April 5, 2021.  This meeting was held virtually and included a presentation from the Broker Responsibility Working Group (BRWG) Chair, Leslie Lerner.  ESAC and BRWG have agreed to collaborate to develop recommendations aimed at better informing sales agents and brokers of duties and responsibilities to one another, which may include both education and experience components.   

As of February 1, 2021 sales agents and brokers are required to complete at least three hours in contract-related coursework as part of the 18 hours of continuing education (CE) required to renew a license or activate a license.  

On February 1, 2021, sales agents and brokers will be required to complete at least three hours in contract-related coursework as part of the 18 hours of continuing education (CE) required to renew a license.  For your convenience, and the convenience of your students, a “contracts” search filter is available on the Approved Real Estate CE Course List, which allows license holders to search for contract-related courses on the TREC website.  

The TREC Education & Examinations Division will launch the next phase of the education provider audit program in January of 2021.  TREC rule §535.67(a) gives staff the authority to conduct on-site audits without prior notice as well as enroll in and attend courses without identifying themselves as employees of the Commission.