The Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on April 7 to hear updates from agency staff on the upcoming launch of a new licensing system, and to review rule changes related to exam proctoring.

Going Online

Later this year, the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) is rolling out a new licensing system that will allow TREC-approved education providers to submit course and provider applications online. This also means all documentation typically required with those applications will be submitted through the new online format.

The changes listed below, recommended by the Broker-Lawyer Committee, were adopted by the Texas Real Estate Commission during its November 4 meeting. These apply to all contract forms unless specified otherwise.

Continuing Education (CE) providers play a key role in ensuring real estate professionals receive ongoing training. TREC Rule 535.75 outlines important responsibilities that CE providers must adhere to.

Record-breaking attendance made the TREC Meeting in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) a standout and marks the Commission's second out-of-Austin meeting. Branching out of the Texas Capitol Complex in Austin—where TREC is headquartered—is an initiative that began last year in an effort to connect with more license holders and Texans. Houston was the first stop in 2023 with roughly 80 attendees.

The Texas Real Estate Commission’s Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met virtually on April 1. Discussion opened with the Principles of Real Estate I and II courses—ESAC is moving forward with a recommendation to revise their course approval forms.

The Committee then reviewed changes to the Law of Agency course approval form which were made based on recommendations from ESAC’s last meeting.

The TREC Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met October 2 and discussed draft revisions to the Principles I and II course content. ESAC also discussed combining the Principles I and II courses into a single 60-hour Principles course and making this course a pre-requisite for the four additional pre-licensing courses. The committee asked staff to look into the feasibility of their recommendations and will continue discussion at the January 8, 2024 meeting.

A bill passed by the 88th Texas Legislature requires all licensing agencies, including the Texas Real Estate Commission, to remove or redact certain details about applicants and current and past license holders in publicly available information, such as the TREC website license holder search or via public information requests.

The Commission in May adopted revisions to the Real Estate Brokerage and Property Management course approval forms. Beginning October 1, 2023, qualifying education providers may begin submitting course application forms to offer these revised courses.

The Texas Real Estate Commission's Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) is accepting applications to fill two education member positions by real estate instructors or owners of real estate schools, accredited by the Commission, that provide qualifying or continuing education.

The 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, began January 10, 2023, and ends May 29, 2023. This session opened with the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) and Texas Appraiser Licensing Board (TALCB) following 358 bills relevant to the administration of the agency.  A much smaller number will become law, one of relevance to Texas real estate license holders.