New real estate inspector and

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. 

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. 

Course Applications and Fees

When preparing course applications, be sure they are filled out completely, all necessary documents are included and the fee is accurately calculated.  Course applications and fees received separately will be sent back to the provider. 

Course Evaluations

All providers are required to provide each student with a course evaluation form approved by the Commission or Board.

Qualifying course examinations must satisfy TREC rule 535.65(h).  This means:

The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on October 5, 2020, to continue to diligent work of the committee.  

Classroom courses for real estate license holders and inspectors require the instructor and the student to interact face-to-face and in real time, either in the same physical location, or though technology.  Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, many courses that historically were offered in a classroom, are now being offered virtually.  In fact, the number of classroom courses taught virtually has skyrocketed.  As the frequency has increased, a concern regarding appropriate conduct in virtual courses has been

The Texas Real Estate Commission is accepting applications for appointment for four real estate license holders members and two education members to the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC).  Committee members will serve a two-year term beginning January 1, 2021, and expiring December 31, 2022. Real estate license holders applying must have been actively engaged in the practice of real estate for the five years preceding the appointment. Education members must be a real estate instructor or an owner of a real estate school that provides qualifying or continuing education.

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic, TREC understands that some inspector applicants may find it challenging to complete the in-person ride-along course required for licensure. For that reason, TREC has granted a temporary allowance to the on-site ride-along course requirement and will permit ride-along course sessions to take place virtually, so long as ride-along instructor conducts inspections live and on-site, and the instructor and the students are able to interact with each other in real-time through both audio and video.