§531.1. Fidelity. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended February 23, 1998] A real estate broker or salesperson, while acting as an agent for another, is a fiduciary. Special obligations are imposed when such fiduciary relationships are created. They demand:

(1)that the primary duty of the real estate agent is to represent the interests of the agent’s client, and the agent’s position, in this respect, should be clear to all parties concerned in a real estate transaction; that, however, the agent, in performing duties to the client, shall treat other parties to a transaction fairly;

(2)that the real estate agent be faithful and observant to trust placed in the agent, and be scrupulous and meticulous in performing the agent’s functions;

(3)that the real estate agent place no personal interest above that of the agent’s client.

§531.2. Integrity. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended February 23, 1998] A real estate broker or salesperson has a special obligation to exercise integrity in the discharge of the licensee’s responsibilities, including employment of prudence and caution so as to avoid misrepresentation, in any wise, by acts of commission or omission.

§531.3. Competency. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended February 23, 1998] It is the obligation of a real estate agent to be knowledgeable as a real estate brokerage practitioner. The agent should:

(1) be informed on market conditions affecting the real estate business and pledged to continuing education in the intricacies involved in marketing real estate for others;

(2)be informed on national, state and local issues and developments in the real estate industry; and

(3)exercise judgment and skill in the performance of the work.

§531.18. Consumer Information Form 1-1.

[Adopted February 1, 1990; amended November 1, 1991and September 1, 2010; Ref: §1101.202

(a)(2)]

(a)The Texas Real Estate Commission adopts by reference Consumer Information Form 1-1 approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission in 1991. This document is published by and available from the Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188, www.trec.state.tx.us.

(b)Each real estate inspector or active real estate broker licensed by the Texas Real Estate Commission shall display Consumer Information Form 1-1 in a prominent location in each place of business the broker or inspector maintains.

§531.19. Discriminatory Practices. [Adopted February 19, 1990; Ref: AG OP.JM-1093] No real estate licensee shall inquire about, respond to or facilitate inquiries about, or make a disclosure which indicates or is intended to indicate any preference, limitation or discrimination based on the following: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, familial status, or handicap of an owner, previous or current occupant, potential purchaser, lessor, or potential lessee of real property. For the purpose of this section, handicap includes a person who had, may have had, has, or may have AIDS, HIV-related illnesses, or HIV infection as defined by the Centers for Disease Control of the United States Public Health Service.

§533.1. Definitions. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010.] The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1)ADR--Alternative dispute resolution.

(2)ADR Administrator--The trained coordinator in the commission office designated by the commission to coordinate and oversee the ADR procedures which may include conducting mediations. The ADR Administrator shall serve as a resource for ADR training and shall collect data concerning the effectiveness of the ADR procedures.

(3)Administrator--The Administrator of the Texas Real Estate Commission.

(4)ALJ--Administrative law judge employed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

(5)Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Procedures--Alternatives to judicial forums or administrative agency contested case proceedings for the voluntary settlement of contested matters through the facilitation of an impartial third-party.

(6)APA--The Administrative Procedure Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001).

(7)Applicant--Any person seeking a license, certificate, registration, approval or permit from the commission.

(8)Commission--The Texas Real Estate Commission.

(9)Complainant--Any person who has filed a complaint with the commission against any person whose activities are subject to the jurisdiction of the commission.

(10)Contested case or proceeding--A proceeding in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a party are to be determined by the commission and/or administrator after an opportunity for adjudicative hearing.

(11)Final decision maker--The commission and/or the administrator, both of whom are authorized to render the final decision in a contested case.

(12)Judge--Administrative law judge employed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

(13)Last Known Mailing Address--The

permanent mailing address as provided to the commission by a Licensee or Applicant or as shown in the commission's records for a Respondent who is not a license holder.

(14) License--The whole or part of any commission registration, license, certificate, approval, permit, or similar form of permission required or permitted by law.

(15)Mediator--The commission employee or other state employee who presides over ADR proceedings regardless of which ADR method is utilized.

(16)Party--A person admitted to participate in a case before the final decision maker.

(17)Person--Any individual, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, including a state agency or governmental subdivision.

(18)Pleading--A written document submitted by a party, or a person seeking to participate in a case as a party, which requests procedural or substantive relief, makes claims, alleges facts, makes legal argument, or otherwise addresses matters involved in the case.

(19)Private Mediator--A person in the mediation profession who is not a Texas State employee and who has met all the qualifications prescribed by Texas law for mediators.

(20)Respondent--Any person, licensed or unlicensed, who has been charged with violating a law establishing a regulatory program administered by the commission or a rule or order issued by the commission.

(21)Rule--Any commission statement of general applicability that implements, interprets, or prescribes law or policy, or describes the procedure or practice requirements of the commission and is filed with the Texas Register.

(22)SOAH--State Office of Administrative Hearings.

§533.2. Purpose and Scope. [Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a) Purpose. Unless otherwise provided by statute or by the provisions of this subchapter, this subchapter will govern the institution and final conclusion of proceedings followed in handling all adjudicative matters under the APA. Once the commission files the Request to Docket Case form with SOAH, SOAH acquires jurisdiction over a contested case, and a hearing conducted by SOAH on a contested case proceeding

§§533.2(a)-.4(a)

pending before the commission is governed by SOAH's rules of procedure. In the case of a conflict with rules in this chapter, SOAH’s rules, 1 TAC Chapter 155, control after the filing of the Request to Docket Case form and until after final amendments or corrections to the proposal for decision.

(b) Scope. These rules govern the institution, conduct, and determination of adjudicative proceedings required or permitted by law, whether instituted by the commission or by the filing of an application, claim, complaint, or any other pleading. These rules shall not be construed so as to enlarge, diminish, modify, or otherwise alter the jurisdiction, powers, or authority of the commission, the administrator, or the substantive rights of any person or agency.

§533.3. Filing and Notice. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010.]

(a) The commission shall provide notice to all parties in accordance with the APA §2001.052, Chapters 1101 and 1102, Texas Occupations Code, and the following:

(1) If, after investigation of a possible violation and the facts surrounding that possible violation, the commission determines that a violation has occurred, the commission may issue a written Notice of Alleged Violation.

(2)The Notice of Alleged Violation shall be sent to the Respondent's last known mailing address by certified or registered mail.

(3)The Notice of Alleged Violation shall

include:

(A)a brief summary of the alleged violation(s);

(B)a statement of the amount of the penalty and/or sanction recommended; and

(C)a statement of the right of the Respondent to a hearing.

(4)The commission shall base the recommendation on the factors set forth in this

chapter.

(b)Not later than the 20th day after the date on which the notice is received, the Respondent may accept the determination of the commission, including the recommended penalty and/or sanction, or make a written request for a hearing on that determination.

(c)Upon receipt of a written request for hearing, the commission shall submit a Request for Docket Case form to SOAH accompanied by

legible copies of all pertinent documents, including but not limited to the Notice of Hearing or other document describing the agency action giving rise to a contested case.

In accordance with 1 TAC §155.53 (relating to Request to Docket Case), the commission shall request one or more of the following actions on the Request to Docket Case form:

(1)Setting of hearing;

(2)Assignment of an administrative law judge; and/or

(3)Setting of alternative dispute resolution proceeding, including but not limited to mediated settlement conference, mediation, or arbitration.

(d)The original of all pleadings and other documents requesting action or relief in a contested case, shall be filed with SOAH once it

acquires jurisdiction. Pleadings, other documents, and service to SOAH shall be directed to: Docketing Division, State Office of Administrative Hearings, 300 West 15th Street, Room 504, P.O. Box 13025, Austin, Texas 78711-3025. The time and date of filing shall be determined by the file stamp affixed by SOAH. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge, only the original and no additional copies of any pleading or document shall be filed. Unless otherwise provided by law, after a proposal for decision has been issued, originals of documents requesting relief, such as exceptions to the proposal for decision or requests to reopen the hearing, shall be filed with the

commission's administrator and/or commission as well as the commission's Standards and

Enforcement Services Division, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711; 1101 Camino La Costa, Austin, Texas; or by facsimile at (512) 465- 3962 if the documents contain 20 or fewer pages including exhibits. Filings may be made until 5:00 p.m. on business days. Copies shall be filed with SOAH.

(e) If a real estate salesperson is a respondent, the commission also will notify the salesperson's sponsoring broker of the hearing. If an apprentice inspector or real estate inspector is a respondent, the commission also will notify the sponsoring professional inspector of the hearing.

(f) Any document served upon a party is prima facie evidence of receipt if it is directed to the party's last known mailing address. This presumption is rebuttable. Failure to claim properly addressed certified or registered mail will not support a finding of nondelivery.

§533.4. Failure to Answer, Failure to Attend Hearing and Default. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010]

(a) If, within twenty days after receiving a Notice of Alleged Violation, the Respondent fails to accept the commission's determination and recommended administrative penalty and/or

sanction, or fails to make a written request for a hearing on the determination, the commission shall enter a default order against the Respondent, incorporating the findings of fact and conclusions of law in the Notice of Alleged Violation.

(b) After receiving a notice proposing disapproval of an application an Applicant may request a hearing in writing within twenty days of receipt of the notice or forfeit the right to a hearing unless otherwise provided by applicable law.

(c) The commission may delegate to the administrator the commission's authority to act under Texas Occupations Code §1101.704(b) and subsection (a) of this section.

(d) 1 TAC §155.501 and §155.503 (relating to Default Proceedings and Dismissal Proceedings) (SOAH rules) apply where a Respondent fails to appear on the day and time set for administrative hearing. In that case, the commission's staff may move either for dismissal of the case from SOAH's docket or for the issuance of a default proposal for decision by the judge.

§533.5. The Adjudicative Hearing Record.

[Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a)On the written request by a party to a case or on request of the judge, a written transcript of all or part of the proceedings shall be prepared. The cost of the transcript is borne by the requesting party. This section does not preclude the parties from agreeing to share the costs associated with the preparation of a transcript. If only the judge requests a transcript, costs will be assessed to the Respondent(s) or Applicant(s), as appropriate.

(b)Any party who needs a certified language interpreter for presentation of its case shall be responsible for requesting the services of an interpreter. The requesting party shall be responsible for making arrangements with a certified language interpreter once a request is made. The cost of the certified language interpreter shall be borne by the party requiring the interpreter's services.

§533.6. Filing of Exceptions and Replies.

[Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a)Any party of record who is adversely affected by the proposal for decision of the judge shall have the opportunity to file exceptions and a brief to the proposal for decision within 15 days after the date of service of the proposal for decision.

(b)A reply to the exceptions may be filed by

§§533.4(a)-.8(e)

the other party within 15 days of the filing of the exceptions.

(c) Exceptions and replies shall be filed with the judge with copies served on the opposing party. The proposal for decision may be amended by the judge pursuant to the excep-tions, replies, or briefs submitted by the parties without again being served on the parties.

§533.7. Proposals for Decision. [Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a)Proposed decisions shall be brought before the commission for final decision.

(b)The proposal for decision may be acted on by the commission after the expiration of 10 days after the filing of replies to exceptions to the proposal for decision or upon the day fol-lowing the day exceptions or replies to excep-tions are due if no such exceptions or replies are filed.

(c)It is the policy of the commission to change a finding of fact or conclusion of law in a proposal for decision or to vacate or modify the proposed order of a judge when, the commission determines:

(1)that the judge did not properly apply or interpret applicable law, agency rules, written policies provided by staff or prior administrative decisions;

(2)that a prior administrative decision on which the judge relied is incorrect or should be changed; or

(3)that a technical error in a finding of fact should be changed.

§533.8. Final Orders, Motions for Rehearing, and Emergency Orders. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010.]

(a) Unless otherwise authorized under subsection (f) of this section, a final order in a contested case shall be in writing and shall be signed by the presiding officer of the commission. Final orders shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law separately stated.

(b) If the commission modifies, amends, or changes a proposal for decision, the order shall reflect the commissions changes as stated in the record of the meeting and state the specific reason and legal basis for the changes made according to §533.7(c) of this chapter.

(c) A party notified by mail of a final decision or order shall be presumed to have been notified on the third day after the date on which the notice is mailed.

(d) The timely filing of a motion for rehearing is a prerequisite to appeal.

(e) Motions for rehearing are controlled by Texas Government Code §2001.145 and §2001.146 and this section.

§§533.8(f)-.20(f)

(f) A motion for rehearing shall set forth the particular finding of fact, conclusion of law, ruling, or other action which the complaining party asserts was error. In the absence of specific grounds in the motion, the commission shall presume that the motion should be overruled.

(g) The chairperson or the member designated by the chairperson to preside (the presiding member) shall announce the case. Upon the request of any party, the presiding member may conduct a prehearing conference with the parties and their attorneys of record. The presiding member may announce reasonable time limits for any oral arguments to be presented by the parties. The hearing on the motion shall be limited to a consideration of the grounds set forth in the motion. Testimony by affidavit or documentary evidence such as excerpts of the record before the presiding officer may be offered in support of, or in opposition to, the motion; provided, however, a party offering affidavit testimony or documentary evidence must provide the other party with copies of the affidavits or documents at the time the motion is filed.

(h) In presenting oral arguments, the party filing the motion will have the burden of proof and persuasion and shall open and close. The party responding to the motion may offer rebuttal arguments. Parties may request an opportunity for additional rebuttal subject to the discretion of the presiding member.

(i)After being recognized by the presiding member, the members of the commission may ask questions of the parties. If a party is represented by counsel, the questions must be directed to the party's attorney. Questions must be limited to the grounds asserted for the motion to be granted and to the arguments made by the parties.

(j)Upon the conclusion of oral arguments, questions by the members of the commission,

and any discussion by the member of the commission, the presiding member shall call for a vote on the motion. A member of the commission need not make a separate motion or second a motion filed by a party. The presiding member may vote on the motion. A motion may be granted only if a majority of the members present and voting vote in favor of the motion. In the event of a tie vote, the presiding member shall announce that the motion is overruled.

(k) If the commission and/or the administrator find that an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare requires immediate effect of a final decision or order, that finding shall be recited in the decision or order as well as the fact that the decision or order is final and effective on the date signed, in which event the decision or order is final and

appealable on the date signed and no motion for rehearing is required as a prerequisite for appeal.

(l)A petition for judicial review must be filed in a District Court of Travis County Texas within

30days after the order is final and appealable, as provided by Texas Government Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Chapter 2001. A party filing a petition for judicial review must also comply with the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, §1101.707.

(m)A party who appeals a final decision in a contested case must pay all costs for the

preparation of the original or a certified copy of the record of the agency proceeding that is required to be transmitted to the reviewing court.

(n) If, after judicial review, the penalty is reduced or not assessed, the administrator shall remit to the person charged the appropriate amount, plus accrued interest if the penalty has been paid, or shall execute a release of the bond if a supersedeas bond has been posted. The accrued interest on amounts remitted by the administrator under this subsection shall be paid at a rate equal to the rate charged on loans to depository institutions by the New York Federal Reserve Bank, and shall be paid for the period beginning on the date that the assessed penalty is paid to the commission and ending on the date the penalty is remitted.

§533.20. Informal Proceedings. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010.]

(a) Informal disposition of any contested case

involving a respondent may be made through an informal conference pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §1101.660.

(b) The commission and the respondent may enter into an agreed order without first engaging in an informal conference under this chapter.

(c)A respondent may request an informal conference; however, the decision to hold a conference shall be made by the Director of Standards and Enforcement Services.

(d)An informal conference shall be voluntary and shall not be a prerequisite to a formal hearing.

(e)An informal conference may be conducted in person, or by electronic, telephonic, or written communication.

(f)The Director of Standards and

Enforcement Services or the director's designee shall decide upon the time, date and place of the informal conference, and provide written notice to the respondent. Notice shall be provided by certified mail no less than ten days

prior to the date of the conference to the last known mailing address of the respondent. The ten days shall begin on the date of mailing. The respondent may waive the ten-day notice requirement.

(g) A copy of the commission's rules concerning informal conferences shall be enclosed with the notice of the informal conference. The notice shall inform the respondent of the following:

(1)that the respondent may be represented by legal counsel;

(2)that the respondent may offer documentary evidence as may be appropriate;

(3)that at least one public member of the commission shall be present;

(4)that two staff members, including the staff attorney assigned to the case, with experience in the regulatory area that is the subject of the proceedings shall be present;

(5)that the respondent's attendance and participation is voluntary; and

(6)that the complainant involved in the alleged violations may be present.

(h)The notice of the informal conference shall be sent to the complainant at his or her last known mailing address. The complainant

shall be informed that he or she may appear in person or may submit a written statement for consideration at the informal conference.

(i)The conference shall be informal and need not follow the procedures established in this chapter for contested cases and formal hearings.

(j)The respondent, the respondent's attorney, the commission member, and the staff members may question the respondent or complainant, make relevant statements, present statements of persons not in attendance, and present such other evidence as may be appropriate.

(k)The staff attorney assigned to the case shall attend each informal conference. The

commission member or other staff member may call upon the attorney at any time for assistance in the informal conference.

(l)No formal record of the proceedings of the informal conference shall be made or maintained.

(m)The complainant may be excluded from the informal conference except during the complainant's oral presentation. The respondent, the respondent's attorney, and

commission staff may remain for all portions of the informal conference, except for consultation between the commission member and commission staff.

§§533.20(f)-.20(u)

(n) The complainant shall not be considered a party in the informal conference but shall be given the opportunity to be heard if the complainant attends. Any written statement submitted by the complainant shall be reviewed at the conference.

(o) At the conclusion of the informal conference, the commission member or staff members may propose an informal settlement of the contested case. The proposed settlement may include administrative penalties or any disciplinary action authorized by the Act. The commission member or staff members may also recommend that no further action be taken.

(p) The	respondent may either accept or
r e j e c t	t h e	p r o p o s e d	s e t t l e m e n t

recommendations at the conference. If the proposed settlement recommendations are accepted, a proposed agreed order shall be prepared by the staff attorney and forwarded to the respondent. The order shall contain agreed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The respondent shall execute the proposed agreed order and return the executed order to the commission within ten days of his or her receipt of the proposed agreed order. If respondent fails to sign and return the executed proposed agreed order within the stated time period, the inaction shall constitute rejection of the proposed settlement recommendation.

(q)If the respondent rejects the proposed settlement recommendation, the matter shall be referred to the Director of Standards and Enforcement Services for appropriate action.

(r)If the respondent signs and accepts the proposed agreed order, it shall be signed by the staff attorney and submitted to the administrator for approval.

(s)If the administrator does not approve a proposed agreed order, the respondent shall be

so informed and the matter shall be referred to the Director of Standards and Enforcement Services for other appropriate action.

(t)A licensee's opportunity for an informal conference under this subchapter shall satisfy the requirement of the APA, §2001.054(c).

(u)The commission may order a license holder to pay a refund to a consumer as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal conference instead of or in addition to imposing an administrative penalty pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §1101.659. The

amount of a refund ordered as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal conference may not exceed the amount the consumer paid to the license holder for a service regulated by the Act and this title. The commission may not require payment of other damages or estimate harm in a refund order.

§§533.30-.36

533.30. Alternative Dispute Resolution Policy. [Adopted December 30, 2007] It is the commission’s policy to encourage the fair and expeditious resolution of all contested matters through voluntary settlement procedures. The commission is committed to working with all parties to achieve early settlement of contested matters.

§533.31.§533.39. Practice and Procedure.

[Repealed December 30, 2007]

§533.31. Referral of Contested Matter for Alternative Dispute Resolution Procedures.

[Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010] The commission's Director of Standards and Enforcement Services or the director's designee, on behalf of the commission, may seek to resolve a contested matter through mediation involving all parties and if so, shall refer the matter for mediation in accordance with §533.34 of this chapter (relating to Commencement of ADR).

§533.32. Appointment of Mediator. [Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a)For each matter referred for ADR procedures, the ADR Administrator shall mediate or assign another commission mediator unless the parties agree upon the use of another agency’s mediator or private mediator. The ADR Administrator may assign a substitute or additional mediator to a proceeding as the ADR Administrator deems necessary.

(b) A private mediator may be hired for commission ADR procedures provided that:

(1)the parties unanimously agree to use a private mediator;

(2)the parties unanimously agree to the selection of the person to serve as the mediator; and

(3)the mediator agrees to be subject to the direction of the commission’s ADR Administrator and to all time limits imposed by the Administrator, statute or regulation.

(c)If a private mediator is used, the costs for the services of the mediator shall be apportioned equally among the parties, unless otherwise agreed upon by the parties, and shall be paid directly to the mediator.

(d)All mediators in commission mediation proceedings shall subscribe to the ethical guidelines for mediators adopted by the ADR Section of the State Bar of Texas.

§533.33. Qualifications of Mediators.

[Adopted December 30, 2007]

(a) A commission mediator will receive at a

minimum 40 hours of formal training in ADR procedures through a program approved by the commission’s administrator.

(b) SOAH mediators, employees of other agencies who are mediators, and private pro bono mediators, may be assigned to contested matters as needed.

(1)Each mediator shall first have received 40 hours of Texas mediation training as prescribed by Texas law.

(2)Each mediator shall have some expertise in the area of the contested matter.

(3)If the mediator is a SOAH judge, that person will not also sit as the judge for the case if the contested matter goes to public hearing. If the mediator is an employee of the commission and

dispute does not settle, that mediator will not have any further contact or involvement concerning the disputed matter.

§533.34. Commencement of ADR. [Adopted December 30, 2007; amended September 1, 2010]

(a) The commission encourages resolution of

disputes at any time; however, ADR procedures may begin, at the discretion of the Director of Standards and Enforcement Services, anytime after the commission anticipates initiation of an adverse action against an applicant or respondent. The commission may issue a Notice of Mediation along with a Notice of Alleged Violation or along with a notice of a proposed denial of licensure or opportunity to take an examination. Prior to the submission of a Request for Docket Case form to SOAH, and with agreement of all parties, the ADR Administrator may schedule mediation upon any party's request.

(b) Upon unanimous motion of the parties and at the discretion of the administrative law judge, the provisions of this section may apply to contested case hearings. In such cases, it is within the discretion of the judge to continue the hearing to allow the use of ADR procedures.

§533.35 Stipulations. [Adopted December 30, 2007] When the ADR procedures do not result in the full settlement of a matter, the parties in conjunction with the mediator, may limit the contested issues through the entry of written stipulations. Such stipulations shall be forwarded or formally presented to the administrative law judge assigned to conduct the contested case hearing on the merits and shall be made part of the hearing record.

§533.36. Agreements. [Adopted December 30, 2007] All agreements between or among parties that are reached as a result of ADR must be committed to writing and will have the same force and effect as a written contract.

§534.1. Charges for Copies of Public Records. [Adopted December 1, 1994; amended January 7, 1997 and June 13, 2010; Ref: §1101.151]

(a) Charge for copies of public information provided by the commission shall be based upon the current charges established by the Office of the Attorney General; provided, however, that the commission shall charge its actual costs if the actual costs of providing copies exceed the established charges, and an exemption has been granted by the Office of the Attorney General.

(b) The commission may furnish copies of public information without charge or at a reduced charge if the commission determines that waiver or reduction of the fee is in the public interest. The commission also may waive the charge if the cost of processing the collection of a charge will exceed the amount of the charge.

§534.2. Processing Fees for Dishonored Payments. [Adopted December 1, 1994; amended January 7, 2009; Ref: §1101.151]

(a) If a payment to the commission is dishonored by a payor, the commission shall charge a fee of $25 to the drawer or endorser for processing the dishonored payment. The commission shall notify the drawer or endorser of the fee by sending a request for payment of the dishonored payment and the processing fee by certified mail to the last known business address of the person as shown in the records of the commission. If the commission has sent a request for payment in accordance with the provisions of this section, the failure of the drawer or endorser to pay the processing fee within 15 days after the commission has mailed the request is a violation of this section.

(b) Collection of the fee imposed under this section does not preclude the commission from proceeding under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.652(a)(4), against a licensee who has within a reasonable time failed to make good a payment issued to the commission.

§534.3. Employee Training and Education.

[Adopted May 17, 2005:Ref:§1101.151]

(a)The commission may use state funds to provide training and education for its employees in accordance with the State Employees Training Act (Texas Government Code, §§656.044- 656.049).

(b)The training or education shall be related to

the duties or prospective duties of the employee.

(c)The commission's training and education program benefits both the commission and the employees participating by:

(1)preparing for technological and legal developments;

(2)increasing work capabilities;

(3)increasing the number of qualified employees in areas for which the commission has difficulty in recruiting and retaining employees; and

(4)increasing the competence of commission employees.

(d)A commission employee may be required to attend, as part of the employee's duties, a training or education program related to the employee's duties or prospective duties.

(e)Approval to participate in a training or education program is not automatic and is subject to the availability of funds within the commission's budget.

(f)The employee training and education program for the commission shall include:

(1)agency-sponsored training provided in- house or by contract;

(2)seminars and conferences;

(3)technical or professional certifications and licenses; and

(4)tuition reimbursement for degree and non-degree program courses.

(g)The administrator or administrator's designee shall develop policies for administering each of the components of the employee training and education program. These policies shall include:

(1)eligibility requirements for participation;

(2)designation of appropriate level of approval for participation; and

(3)obligations of program participants.

(h)Approval to participate in any portion of the commission's training and education program shall not in any way affect an employee's at-will status.

(i)Participation in the training and education

A. General Provisions Relating to the Requirement of Licensure

§535.1. License Required. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended August 29, 1979; December 25, 1980; March 11, 1981; June 9, 1981; March 19, 1990; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999; October 11, 1999; and January 1, 2004;Ref: §1101.351]

(a)Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1101 (the Act) applies to persons acting as real estate brokers or salespersons while physically within this state, regardless of the location of the real estate involved or the residence of the person’s customers or clients. For the purposes of the Act, a person conducting brokerage business from another state by mail, telephone, the Internet, e-mail or other medium is also considered acting within this state if all the prospective buyers, sellers, landlords, or tenants are legal residents of this state, and the real property concerned is located wholly or in part within this state.

(b)This section does not prohibit cooperative arrangements between non-resident brokers and Texas brokers pursuant to the Act, §1101.651(a)

(2)and §535.131 of this title (relating to Unlawful Conduct: Splitting Fees).

(c)Unless otherwise exempted by the Act, a person must be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson to show a broker's listings, solicit listings of real property, or perform any act defined as that of a real estate broker by the Act. An unlicensed person may be hired by a broker to act as a host or hostess at a property being offered for sale by the broker, provided the unlicensed person engages in no activity for which a license is required.

(d)The employees, agents or associates of a licensed broker, including a corporation or limited liability company licensed as a broker, must be licensed as real estate brokers or salespersons if they direct or supervise other persons who perform acts for which a license is required. A license is not required for the performance of secretarial, clerical, or administrative tasks, such as training personnel, performing duties generally associated with office administration and personnel matters. Unlicensed employees, agents, or associates may not solicit business for the broker or hold themselves out as authorized to act as real estate brokers or salespersons.

(e)As used in this chapter, the terms “property” and “real property” have the same meaning as “real estate” as that term is defined in the Act.

§535.2. Broker's Responsibility. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999; November 26, 2002; and May 18, 2003; Ref: §1101.803]

(a)A broker is responsible for the authorized acts of the broker’s salespersons, but the broker is not required to supervise the salespersons directly.

(b)A real estate broker acting as an agent owes the very highest fiduciary obligation to the agent’s principal and is obliged to convey to the principal all information of which the agent has knowledge and which may affect the principal's decision. A broker is obligated under a listing contract to negotiate the best possible transaction for the principal, the person the broker has agreed to represent.

(c)A broker is responsible for the proper handling of escrow monies placed with the broker, although the broker may authorize other persons to sign checks for the broker.

§535.3. Compensation to or paid by a Salesperson. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended October 20, 1983; April 14, 1998 and July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.651(b) & (c)] A salesperson may not receive a commission or other fee except with the consent of the salesperson’s sponsoring broker or the broker who sponsored the salesperson when the salesperson became entitled to the commission or fee. A salesperson may not pay a commission or other fee to another person except with the consent of the salesperson’s sponsoring broker.

B. Definitions

§535.12. General. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended April 3, 1977; December 25, 1980; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.002]

(a) A person may invest in real estate or contract to purchase real estate and then sell it or offer to sell it without having a real estate license. A license is not required for a person to buy or sell real property only for the person’s own account.

(b) A person who owns property jointly may sell and convey title to his or her interest in the property, but the person must be licensed to act for compensation as an agent for the other owner unless otherwise exempted by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act).

§§535.13)-.17(c)

§535.13. Dispositions of Real Estate.

[Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended December 25, 1980; September 7, 1995; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(i)]

(a) Acting as a principal, a person may purchase, sell, lease, or sublease real estate for profit without being licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson.

(b) Unless otherwise exempted by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act), a person who manages real property or collects rentals for an owner of real property and for a valuable consideration must be licensed if the person also rents or leases the property for the owner.

(c)A person must be licensed as a real estate broker to operate a rental agency. This section does not prohibit employment of an answering service or unlicensed clerical or secretarial employees identified to callers as such to confirm information concerning the size, price and terms of property advertised.

(d)A real estate license is not required for an individual employed by a corporation or other business entity for the purpose of buying, selling, or leasing real property for the entity. An entity is considered to be an owner if it holds record title to the property or has an equitable title or right acquired by contract with the record title holder. A corporation or limited liability company is considered to be acting as a broker and is required to be licensed under the Act if it or its employee receives, or expects to receive, a valuable consideration from the record title holder for negotiating a sale or other disposition of the property.

(e)A real estate license is required of a subsidiary corporation, which, for compensation, negotiates in Texas for the sale of its parent corporation's real property.

(f)Arranging for a person to occupy a vacant residential property is an act requiring a real estate license if the actor:

(1)does not own the property or lease the property from its owner;

(2)receives a valuable consideration; and

(3)is not exempted from the requirement of a license by the Act, §1101.005.

§535.15. Negotiations. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended April 3, 1977; April 14, 1998 and July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(ii)]

(a) Locating and bringing together a buyer and seller constitutes negotiation if done from within the borders of Texas.

(b) A real estate license is required for a person to solicit listings or to negotiate in Texas for listings.

§535.16. Listings. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(iv)]

(a)Trade associations or other organizations which provide a computerized listing service for their members, but which do not receive compensation when the real estate is sold would not be required to be licensed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act).

(b)A “net listing” is a listing agreement in which the broker’s commission is the difference (“net”) between the sales proceeds and an amount desired by the owner of the real property. A broker may not take net listings unless the principal requires a net listing and the principal appears to be familiar with current market values of real property. When a broker accepts a listing, the broker enters into a fiduciary relationship with the principal, whereby the broker is obligated to make diligent efforts to obtain the best price possible for the principal. The use of a net listing places an upper limit on the principal's expectancy and places the broker's interest above the principal's interest with reference to obtaining the best possible price. If a net listing is used, a broker should modify the listing agreement so as to assure the principal of not less than the principal’s desired price and to limit the broker to a specified maximum commission.

(c)A real estate licensee is obligated to advise a property owner as to the licensee's opinion of the market value of a property when negotiating a listing or offering to purchase the property for the licensee's own account as a result of contact made while acting as a real estate agent.

§535.17. Appraisals. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended [April 3, 1977,] March 1, 1991; August 19, 1991; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(v)]

(a) A salesperson may make, sign, and present real estate appraisals for the salesperson’s sponsoring broker, but the salesperson must submit appraisals in the broker's name and the broker is responsible for the appraisals.

(b)Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act) does not apply to appraisals performed by the employees of a financial institution or investment firm in connection with a contemplated loan or investment by their employers.

(c)Except as provided by this section, appraisals of real property performed in this

state by Texas real estate licensees must be conducted in accordance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation in effect at the time the appraisal is performed. If a real estate licensee, for a separate fee, provides an opinion of value or comparative market analysis which does not conform with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation, the licensee shall also provide the person for whom the opinion or analysis is prepared with a written statement containing the following language: "THIS IS AN OPINION OF VALUE OR COMPARATIVE MARKET ANALYSIS AND SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED AN APPRAISAL. In making any decision that relies upon my work, you should know that I have not followed the guidelines for development of an appraisal or analysis contained in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation."

(d)The statement required by subsection (c) of this section must be made part of any written opinion or analysis report and must be reproduced verbatim.

(e)The exception allowed by subsection (c) of this section does not apply to a transaction in which the Resolution Trust Corporation or a federal financial institutions regulatory agency has required compliance with the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice of the Appraisal Foundation.

§535.19. Locating Property. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 17, 1992; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(viii)]

(a)Except as provided by this section a real estate license is required for a person to receive a fee or other consideration for assisting another person to locate real property for sale, purchase, rent or lease, such as the operation of a service which finds apartments or homes.

(b)The compilation and distribution of information relating to rental vacancies or property for sale, purchase, rent or lease is activity for which a real estate license is required if payment of any fee or other consideration received by the person who compiles and distributes the information is contingent upon the sale, purchase, rental or lease of the property. An advance fee is a contingent fee if the fee must be returned if the property is not sold, purchased, rented or leased.

§535.20. Procuring Prospects. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended October 21, 1997; April 14, 1998 and August 25, 1999; Ref: §1101.002(1)(A)(ix)]

(a) Referring a prospective buyer, seller,

§§535.17(c)-.31

landlord, or tenant to another person in connection with a proposed real estate transaction is an act requiring the person making the referral to be licensed if the referral is made with the expectation of receiving valuable consideration. For the purposes of this section, the term “valuable consideration” includes but is not limited to money, gifts of merchandise having a retail value greater than $50, rent bonuses and discounts.

(b) A person is not required to be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson if all of the following conditions are met.

(1)The person is engaged in the business of selling goods or services to the public.

(2)The person sells goods or services to a real estate licensee who intends to offer the goods or services as an inducement to potential buyers, sellers, landlords or tenants.

(3)After selling the goods or services to the real estate licensee, the person refers the person’s customers to the real estate licensee.

(4)The payment to the person for the goods or services is not contingent upon the consummation of a real estate transaction by the person’s customers.

§535.21. Unimproved Lot Sales; Listing Publications. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 17, 1992; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.002(B)]

(a)A person must be licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson to advertise for others regarding real property, accept calls received in response to such advertisements, and refer the callers to the owner of the property.

(b)A person may contract to advertise real estate for purchase, sale, lease or rental in a publication without being licensed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act), unless payment of any fee or consideration the person receives is contingent upon the purchase, sale, lease, or rental of the property advertised in the publication. For the purposes of this section an advance fee is a contingent fee if the person is obligated to return the fee if the property is not purchased, sold, leased or rented. This section shall be narrowly construed to effectuate the purposes for which this section was adopted.

C.Exemptions to Requirement of Licensure

§535.31. Attorneys at Law. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended March 19, 1990; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref:

§§535.31-.51(c)

§1101.005(1)] A licensed attorney is exempt from the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act) but cannot sponsor real estate salespersons or serve as the designated officer or manager of a licensed corporation or limited liability company unless the attorney is also licensed as a real estate broker. This provision is not a waiver of the standards of eligibility and qualification elsewhere established in the Act.

§535.32. Exemptions: Attorneys in fact.

[Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.005(2)] A person holding a power of attorney which is recorded in the county in which the particular real property is located and which specifically describes the real property to be sold may act as a real estate agent for the owner of such property without being licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson, provided the person does not use powers of attorney to engage in the real estate agency business.

§535.33. Public officials. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended April 14, 1998 and July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.005(3)] Public officials and employees of governmental or quasi- governmental units are exempted from the requirement of being licensed as a real estate broker or salesperson while performing their official duties.

§535.34. Salespersons Employed by an Owner of Land and Structures Erected by the Owner. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.005(6)]

"Salesperson employed by an owner" means a person employed and directly compensated by an owner.

§535.35. Employees Renting and Leasing Employer's Real Estate. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 1, 1999; Ref: §1101.005 (8)] Withholding income and F.I.C.A. taxes from wages paid another person is considered evidence of employment.

D. The Commission

§535.41. Procedures. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended November 14, 1979; May 7, 1992; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.051]

(a)Meetings.

(1)The commission shall meet in February of each year and at such other times as it deems proper.

(2)Meetings will be held at such places as the commission deems proper.

(3) Meetings must be called by the chairperson on the chairperson’s own motion or upon the written request of 5 members.

(b) Quorum. Five members constitutes a quorum.

(c)Officers.

(1)Officers of the commission consist of a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary.

(2)The commission shall elect a vice- chairperson and secretary at a regular meeting in February of each year. The governor shall designate one member to serve as chairperson at the pleasure of the governor. Elected officers shall serve until their successors are elected.

(d)Order of business.

(1)With the exception of proceedings in contested cases, meetings must be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rule of Order.

(2)Proceedings in contested cases will be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 2001, and Chapter 533 of this title (relating to Practice and Procedure).

§535.42. Jurisdiction and Authority.

[Adopted January 1, 1976.Amended March 19, 1990; July 1, 1999; January 1, 2004; and December 30, 2007; Ref: §1101.053] The commission does not mediate disputes between or among licensees concerning entitlement to sales commissions or recommend individual licensees to the public.

E. Requirements for Licensure

§535.51. General Requirements. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended October 4, 1976; November 7, 1977; November 14, 1979; June 18, 1991, January 1, 1992; September 24, 1993; July 18, 1994; December 1, 1994; January 3, 1996; May 2, 1996; March 14, 1997; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999; September 1, 2000; September 1, 2001;October 15, 2001; March 4, 2002; April 1, 2003; January 1, 2004; May 10, 2004;September 1, 2004; July 4, 2005; December 30, 2007; January 7, 2009; November 1, 2009 and September 1, 2010; Ref: §1101.352 (a)]

(a)A person who wishes to be licensed by the commission must file an application for the license on the form prescribed by the commission for that purpose.

(b)A person also may apply for a license by accessing the commission's web site, entering the required information on the application form and paying the appropriate fee in accordance with the instructions provided at the site by the commission.

(c) The commission shall return the application of an applicant who:

(1)is not 18 years of age;

(2)does not meet any applicable residency requirement;

(3)is not a citizen of the United States or a lawfully admitted alien;

(4)submits the application in pencil; or

(5)submits an incorrect filing fee or no filing

fee.

(d) An application is considered void and is subject to no further evaluation or processing when one of the following events occurs:

(1) the applicant fails to satisfy a current education requirement or an examination requirement within six months from the date the application is filed;

(2)the applicant fails to submit a required fee within twenty (20) days after the commission makes written request for payment;

(3)the applicant, having satisfied any education or examination requirement, fails to provide information or documentation within sixty

(60)days after the commission makes written request for correct or additional information or documentation;

(4)the applicant fails to provide fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety within six months from the date the application is filed.

§535.52. Individuals. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended October 4, 1976; February 10, 1977; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 7, 2009; Ref: §1101.354]

(a)The commission may deny a license to an applicant who fails to satisfy the commission as to the honesty, trustworthiness, or integrity of the applicant under Texas Occupations Code, §§1101.354, 1102.107, 1102.108, and 1102.109; and §535.400 of this title.

(b)Conduct that tends to demonstrate that an applicant does not possess the requisite honesty, trustworthiness or integrity includes, but is not limited to:

(1)a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to or a conviction of any offense listed in §541.1 of this title (relating to Criminal Offense Guidelines);

(2)failing to successfully or satisfactorily complete any term or condition of parole, supervised release, probation, or community supervision;

(3)providing false or misleading information to the commission;

§§535.51(c)-.53

(4)disciplinary action taken against, or the surrender of, any other professional or occupational license or registration, in this or any other state;

(5)engaging in activities for which a license or registration is required without having the legal authorization to do so, in this or any other state;

(6)violating any provision of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 or 1102;

(7)violating any provision of Chapters 531, 533, 535 or 537 of this title;

(8)failing to pay a judgment (including any court-ordered costs, fees, penalties, or damages), that is not otherwise discharged in bankruptcy.

(c)Texas residents who enter military service and resume their Texas residence immediately upon separation from the military are not considered to have lost their Texas residence unless they have affirmatively established legal residence elsewhere.

(d)The fact that an individual has had disabilities of minority removed does not affect the requirement that an applicant be 18 years of age to be eligible for a license.

§535.53. Corporations and Limited Liability Companies. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended August 29, 1979; September 24, 1993; April 14, 1998; July 1, 1999 and January 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.355]

(a) For the purposes of qualifying for, maintaining, or renewing a license, a corporation or limited liability company must designate one person holding an active Texas real estate broker license to act for it. The corporation or limited liability company may not act as a broker during any period in which it has not designated a person to act for it who meets the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act). A broker may not act as a designated person at any time while the broker’s license is inactive, expired, suspended or revoked.

(b) Section 1101.355 of the Act applies only to corporations or limited liability companies which are created under the laws of this state, provided, however, that a corporation or limited liability company formed under the laws of a state other than Texas will be considered to be a Texas resident for purposes of this section if it is qualified to do business in Texas; its officers or managers, its principal place of business and all of its assets are located in Texas; and all of its officers and directors or managers and members are Texas residents.

§§535.61-.62(b)

F. Education, Experience, Educational Programs, Time Periods and Type of License

§535.61. Examinations. [Adopted January 31, 2000; amended January 1, 2004; July 10, 2006; October 22, 2006; December 30, 2007 and September 1, 2010; Ref: §1101.401]

(a) The contents of examinations administered by the commission or by a testing service under contract with the commission are confidential. The following conduct with respect to licensing examinations is prohibited and is grounds to impose disciplinary action against any licensee of the commission or any education provider or instructor approved by the commission, and shall further be grounds for disapproval of an application for any license, accreditation, or approval issued by the commission:

(1)obtaining or attempting to obtain specific questions or answers from an applicant, a commission employee or any person hired by or associated with the testing service, for the purpose of using the information to pass an examination or for the purpose of providing the questions or answers to another person who is either an applicant or a potential applicant;

(2)removing or attempting to remove questions or answers from an examination site; or

(3)providing or attempting to provide examination questions or answers to another person, knowing the person is an applicant or prospective applicant, or that the person intends to provide the questions or answers to an applicant or potential applicant.

(b)Examinations required for any license issued by the commission will be conducted by the testing service with which the commission has contracted for the administration of examinations. The testing service shall schedule and conduct the examinations in the manner required by the contract between the commission and the testing service. To pass the broker licensing examination, an applicant must attain a passing score of at least 75% in each section of the examination. To pass the salesperson licensing examination, an applicant must attain a passing score of at least 70% in each section of the examination.

(c)An applicant will not be admitted to the testing service's examination site unless the applicant provides a government issued photo- bearing identification card. The testing service may refuse to admit an applicant who arrives after the time the examination is scheduled to begin or whose conduct or demeanor would be disruptive to other persons taking examinations at the site. The testing service may confiscate

examination materials, dismiss the applicant, and fail the applicant for violating or attempting to violate the confidentiality of the contents of an examination.

(d) Applicants may use silent, battery- operated, electronic, pocket sized calculators which are nonprogrammable. If a calculator has printout capability, the testing service must approve use of such calculator prior to the examination. Applicants may not use calculators with alphabetic keyboards.

(e) The testing service administering the examinations is required to provide reasonable accommodations for any applicant with a verifiable disability. Applicants must contact the testing service to arrange for a special examination. The testing service shall determine the method of examination, whether oral or written, based on the particular circumstances of each case.

(f)Notwithstanding Texas Occupations Code §1101.451(f), the commission shall waive the examination of an applicant for a broker license who has been licensed as a broker in this state no more than two years prior to the filing of the application. The commission shall waive the examination of an applicant for a salesperson license who has been licensed in this state as a broker or salesperson no more than two years prior to the filing of the application.

(g)The commission may waive the national portion of the examination of an applicant for a broker or salesperson license if the applicant maintains a license equivalent to the license

being applied for and has passed a comparable national examination accredited or certified by a nationally recognized real estate regulator association.

§535.62. Acceptable Courses of Study.

[Adopted January 31, 2000; amended October 15, 2001, January 1, 2004; November 9, 2004; December 30, 2007 and September 1, 2010; Ref: §1101.003]

(a)Acceptable core real estate courses are those courses prescribed by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act), §1101.003 and by this section. Acceptable real estate related courses are those courses which have been determined to be acceptable by the commission. The commission will periodically publish lists of acceptable real estate related courses.

(b)The commission may require an applicant to furnish materials such as course outlines, syllabi and course descriptions in support of credit instruments. The commission may require official transcripts to verify course work.

Provided all the requirements of this section are satisfied, the commission shall accept core real

estate courses or real estate related courses submitted by an applicant for a real estate broker or real estate salesperson license if the course was offered by any of the following providers:

(1) a school accredited by the commission or the real estate regulatory agency of another state;

(2) a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or its equivalent, or by a recognized national or international accrediting body;

(3)a post-secondary educational institution established by any state;

(4)the United States Armed Forces Institute or other service-related school; or

(5)a professional trade association.

(c)The commission shall measure classroom hour credits using the following equivalents:

(1)One semester hour: 15 hours.

(2)One quarter hour: 10 hours.

(3)One continuing education unit: 10 hours.

(d)A core real estate course also must meet each of the following requirements to be accepted.

(1)The course contained the content required by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act), §1101.003, or this section.

(2)The daily course presentation did not exceed ten hours.

(3)With the exception of courses conducted by correspondence or by an alternative delivery

method such as by computer, the student was present in the classroom for the hours of credit granted by the course provider, or completed makeup in accordance with the requirements of the provider, or by applicable commission rule.

(4) For a classroom course, successful completion of a final examination or other form of final evaluation was a requirement for receiving credit from the provider.

(5) For a correspondence course, the course must have been offered by or in association with an accredited college or university, and students receiving credit for the course must pass either:

(A) a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the

§§535.62(b)-.62(d)(7)(D)(iii)(I)

instructor or provider; or

(B) an examination by use of a computer under conditions that satisfy the commission that the examinee is the same person who seeks course credit.

(6) If a correspondence course was offered by a proprietary school in association with an accredited college or university, the proprietary school has certified to the commission that the course was offered in accordance with the college or university’s curriculum accreditation standards. Using the name of the proprietary school “in association with” the name of the college or university on the course completion certificate or electronic course submission constitutes certification to the commission that the course was offered in compliance with the college or university’s curriculum accreditation standards.

(7) For a course offered by an alternative delivery method, the course met the following requirements.

(A) The course must be certified by a distance learning certification center that is acceptable by the commission.

(B) The rationale for the education processes implemented in the course must be based on sound instructional strategies which have been systematically designed and proven effective through educational research and development. The basis and rationale for any proposed instructional approach must be specified in the application for approval. The following types of programs will not be approved:

(i)those which consist primarily of text material; or

(ii)those which primarily consist of questions similar to those on the state licensing examination.

(C)An approved instructor or the provider's coordinator/director shall grade the written course work.

(D)Every provider offering an approved course under this subsection shall:

(i) ensure that a qualified person is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary;

(ii) satisfy the commission that procedures are in place to ensure that the student who completes the work is the student who is enrolled in the course; and

(iii) certify students as successfully completing the course only if the student;

(I) has completed all instructional modules required to demonstrate mastery of the

§§535.62(d)(3)-.63(b)(4)

material;

(II) has attended any hours of live instruction and/or testing required for a given course; and

(III) has passed either:

(-a-) a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider; or

(-b-) an examination by use of a computer under conditions that satisfy the commission that the examinee is the same person who seeks credit.

(8)The student must not have completed more than one course with substantially the same course content within a three year period.

(9)The course did not primarily concern techniques or procedures utilized by a particular brokerage or organization.

(10)For a classroom course, the course was offered in a location conducive to instruction that is separate and apart from the work area, such as a classroom, training room, conference room, or assembly hall.

(e)Course credits awarded by an accredited college or university for life experience or by examination are acceptable only for real estate related courses.

(f)In addition to the courses of study specified in the Act, §1101.003, the following shall be considered core real estate courses.

(1)Promulgated Contract Forms (or equivalent) shall include but not be limited to unauthorized practice of law, broker-lawyer committee, current promulgated forms, commission rules governing use of forms and case studies involving use of forms.

(2)Residential Inspection for Real Estate Agents (or equivalent) shall include but not be limited to repair-related contract forms and addenda, inspector and client agreement, inspection standards of practice and standard

inspection report form, tools and procedures, electromechanical systems (plumbing, heating, air conditioning, appliances, energy-saving considerations) and structures (lot and landscape, roofs, chimney, gutters, paved areas, walls, windows and doors, insect damage and storage areas).

§535.63. Education and Experience Requirements for a License. [Adopted January 31, 2000; amended June 27, 2002; January 1,

2004; July 10, 2006 and December 30, 2007]

(a) License or experience in another state. Except as provided by this section, the commission will not accept a person's license in another state or experience in real estate brokerage or any related business in satisfaction of education or experience required for a license.

(b) Education and experience requirements for a broker license.

(1) Experience as a real estate broker or salesperson is accepted as experience for the purpose of applying for a real estate broker license. Experience is measured from the date a license is issued, and inactive periods caused by lack of sponsorship, or any other reason, cannot be included as active experience.

(2) Notwithstanding Texas Occupations Code §1101.451(f), the commission may waive education and experience required for a real estate broker license if the applicant satisfies each of the following conditions.

(A) The applicant must have been licensed as a Texas real estate broker or salesperson no more than six years prior to the filing of the application.

(B)If the applicant was previously licensed as a Texas real estate broker, the applicant must have completed at least 15 hours of mandatory continuing education (MCE) courses within the two-year period prior to the filing of an application for an active license. If the applicant was previously licensed as a Texas real estate salesperson, the applicant must satisfy all current education requirements for an original broker license.

(C)The applicant must have had not less than two years of active experience as a licensed

real estate broker or salesperson during the eight- year period prior to the filing of the application.

(3) Under the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act), §1101.357 a person who is the designated officer of a corporation or limited liability company which is licensed as a real estate broker in another state is deemed to be a licensed real estate broker in another state. The term "state" means one of the states, territories, and possessions of the United States and any foreign country or governmental subdivision thereof. A person licensed in another state may derive the required two years' experience from periods in which the person was licensed in two or more states.

(4)The commission shall require not less than

18semester hours (270 classroom hours) in courses reflecting course titles or course descriptions in the real estate disciplines including, but not limited to, the statutory subject areas identified in the Act, §1101.003. The commission will publish periodically guidelines as to the acceptability of related courses.

(c) Education requirements for a salesperson license.

(1) In order to maintain a license, a salesperson subject to annual education requirements shall furnish documentation to the commission of successful completion of appropriate courses no later than 10 business days prior to the day the salesperson files an application with the commission to renew the salesperson's license.

(2) Notwithstanding Texas Occupations Code §1101.451(f), the commission may waive the education required for a real estate salesperson license if the applicant satisfies each of the following conditions.

(A)The applicant must have been licensed either as a Texas real estate broker or as a Texas real estate salesperson no more than six years prior to the filing of the application.

(B)The applicant must have completed any core real estate courses or real estate related courses which would have been required for a timely renewal of the prior license, or if the renewal of the prior license was not subject to the completion of core real estate courses or real

estate related courses, the applicant must have completed at least 15 hours of mandatory continuing education (MCE) courses within the two-year period prior to the filing of an application for an active license.

§535.64. Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Courses and Instructors.

[Adopted January 31, 2000; amended July 12, 2000; July 2, 2001; January 1, 2004; November 9, 2004; November 8, 2005; May 24, 2006; December 30, 2007; November 17, 2008; March 22, 2009; September 13, 2009 and September 1, 2010]

(a) Application. A person desiring to offer educational programs or courses of study under approval of the commission pursuant to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act), §1101.301, shall file an application on forms adopted by the commission accompanied by the fee prescribed pursuant to §1101.152(a)(10) of the Act. The commission may request additional information from an applicant which the commission deems to be relevant and material to the consideration of an application.

(b) Standards for approval of application for accreditation. To be accredited as a school, the applicant must satisfy the commission as to the applicant's ability to administer courses with competency, honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. If the applicant proposes to employ another person, such as an independent contractor, to conduct or administer the courses, the other person must meet this standard as if the other person were the applicant. The applicant also must demonstrate that the

§§535.63(c)-.64((e)(2)

applicant has sufficient financial resources to conduct its proposed operations on a continuing basis without risk of loss to students attending the school and that the proposed facilities will be adequate and safe for conducting classes. If the applicant is currently accredited, the applicant will be deemed to meet financial requirements imposed by this subsection once the applicant has provided the statutory bond or other security acceptable to the commission under §1101.301 of the Act and there are no unsatisfied final money judgments against the applicant; otherwise, the application will be subject to the financial review provisions of this section.

(c)Financial review. The commission shall review the financial condition of each proposed school to determine whether the school has sufficient financial resources to conduct its proposed operations on a continuing basis. In making this determination, the commission shall be conservative in the financial assumptions it makes concerning the school's proposed operations and its future cash flows. The applicant shall provide the following information:

(1)business financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which shall include a current statement of financial condition and a current statement of net worth;

(2)on an initial application, a proposed budget for the first year of operation; and

(3)on an initial application, a market survey indicating the anticipated enrollment for the first year of operation.

(d)Approval of application for accreditation. If it determines that the applicant meets the standards for accreditation and has furnished the bond or other acceptable security required by the Act, §1101.302, the commission shall approve the application and provide a written notice of the accreditation to the applicant. Unless surrendered or revoked for cause, the accreditation will be valid for a period of five years.

(e)Subsequent application for accreditation. No more than six months prior to the expiration of its current accreditation, a school may apply for accreditation for another five year period.

(1)To renew its accreditation, at least 55 percent of the school's graduates must have passed a commission licensing exam the first time the exam is taken by the graduates.

(2)The school a graduate is affiliated with for purposes of this subsection is the school where the graduate took his or her last core course, unless the course was taken more than two years before the date the graduate submitted an education evaluation to the commission. If the

§§535.64(e)(2)-.64(i)

graduate's last core course was taken more than two years before that date, the commission will not count the course or the graduate in calculating the school's exam pass rate.

(3)For purposes of calculating the exam passage rate of a commission-accredited school, each type of licensing examination that a graduate takes for the first time will have a school affiliation, unless the last core course taken for the purpose of meeting the education requirements for the type of license was taken at a school that is not accredited by the commission or the course was taken more than two years before the date the graduate submitted an education evaluation to the commission.

(4)A school’s passage rate will be calculated and published quarterly by dividing the number of that school’s graduates, as defined in subsection (e)(2) of this section, who passed the examination on their first attempt in the five- year period ending on the last day of the previous quarter by the total number of the school’s graduates who took the exam for the first time in the same period. If a school offers courses toward multiple license types, the exam results for that school will be calculated and posted by license type and aggregated into the school’s overall passage rate for that period. The passage rate that will be used to determine whether the accreditation standard has been met is the most current aggregate rate published by the commission as of the date the commission receives the timely application for reaccreditation or, if the accreditation expired before being renewed, the most recent rate published by the commission as of the expiration date of the school’s accreditation.

(5)In determining whether a school qualifies for reaccreditation based on its examination passage rate, the commission may consider a variety of factors, including the separate passage rates for sales, broker, and inspector applicants and trends within the school’s passage rate over the five-year accreditation period.

(f)Disapproval of application. If it determines that an applicant does not meet the standards for accreditation, the commission shall disapprove the application in writing. An applicant may request a hearing before the commission on the disapproval by filing a written request for hearing within 10 days following the applicant's receipt of the notice of disapproval. Following the hearing, the commission shall issue an order which, in the opinion of the commission, is appropriate in the matter concerned. Venue for any hearing conducted under this section shall be in Travis County. The disapproval and hearing are subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, and to Chapter 533 of this title (relating to Practice and Procedure).

(g) Forms. The Texas Real Estate Commission adopts by reference the following forms approved by the commission. These documents are published by and available from the Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188, www.trec.state.tx.us.

(1) Form ED 1-0, Education Provider Application;

(2)Form ED 2-0, Principal Information Form;

(3)Form ED 3-1, Course Application;

(4)Form ED 4-2, Instructor Application - Core, Legal Update and Ethics;

(5)Form ED 5-2, Real Estate Provider Bond;

(6)Form ED 6-0; Evaluation Form; and

(7)Form ED 7-1, Instructor Manual Guidelines. (h) Obtaining approval to offer course. An applicant shall submit Form ED 3-1 the first time approval is sought to offer a course. Once a course has been approved, no further approval is required for another accredited school to offer the same course. Prior to advertising or offering the course, however, the subsequent provider shall complete Form ED 3-1, file the form with the commission and receive written or oral acknowledgment from the commission that all necessary documentation has been filed. A school shall submit an instructor's manual for each proposed course. The commission may require a copy of the course materials and instructor's manual to be submitted for each previously approved course the school intends to offer. Subsequent providers shall offer the course as originally approved or as revised with the approval of the commission and shall use all materials required in the original or revised course. Each manual must comply with Form ED 7-1, Instructor Manual Guidelines. Schools may offer a course using an alternative delivery method such as computers if the course satisfies the requirements for such a course contained in §535.62(d)(7) of this title (relating to Acceptable Courses of Study). For the purpose of approval of courses, a correspondence course offered in association with an accredited college or university in accordance with §535.62(d)(6) of this title, is equivalent to a correspondence course offered by an accredited college or university.

(i) Standards for instructor approval. The application for commission approval of an instructor must be filed on forms adopted by the commission. To be approved as an instructor, a person must satisfy the commission as to the person's competency in the subject matter to be taught and ability to teach effectively. Each instructor must also possess the following qualifications:

(1)a college degree in the subject area or five years professional experience in the subject area and three years experience in teaching or training; or

(2)the equivalent of paragraph (1) of this subsection as determined by the commission after due consideration of the applicant's professional experience, research, authorship or other significant endeavors in the subject area.

(j)Approval of instructor. If the commission determines that the applicant meets the standards for instructor approval, the commission shall approve the application and provide a written notice of the approval to the applicant. Unless surrendered or revoked for cause, the approval will be valid for a period of five years.

(k)Subsequent application for instructor approval. No more than six months prior to the expiration of the current approval, an instructor may apply for approval for another five year period. If an instructor was approved prior to the effective date of this section, the approval of the instructor expires January 1, 2001, and the instructor may apply for approval at any time.

(l)Disapproval of application. The commission may disapprove an application for approval of an instructor for failure to meet the standard imposed by subsection (i) of this section, failure to satisfy the commission as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness or integrity, or for any reason which would be a ground to suspend or revoke a real estate license. If an application is disapproved, the commission shall provide written notice to the applicant detailing the basis of the decision. An applicant may request a hearing before the commission by filing a written request for hearing within 10 days following the applicant's receipt of the notice of disapproval. Venue for any hearing conducted under this section is in Travis County. Appeals from application disapprovals will be conducted in the manner required by the Act, §1101.364. Hearings are subject to the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, and to Chapter 533 of this title.

(m)Additional information related to application. The commission may request an applicant to provide additional information related to the application, and the commission may terminate the application without further notice if the applicant fails to provide the information within 60 days after the mailing of a request by the commission.

(n)Delegation of authority. The commission may authorize its director of licensing and education, or that person's designate, to determine whether applications for schools, courses, and instructors should be approved.

§§535.64(i)(1)-.65(a)

(o)Examination preparation courses.

(1)No school may be accredited or operate under commission approval for the sole purpose of offering courses of instruction designed to prepare its students for the state examination for any license issued by the commission. A school may offer an examination preparation course on a non-credit basis, provided the requirements of subsection (h) of this section have been met.

(2)Once an examination preparation course has been approved by the commission, the school may offer the course until the course approval expires. The approval for a course expires December 31 of the odd-numbered year following approval of the course. A school may apply for approval to offer a subsequent course no earlier than September 1 of the year in which the course approval expires. If the course was approved by the commission prior to the effective date of this subsection, the approval of the course expires December 31, 2001, and the school may apply for approval of another course beginning September 1, 2001. The commission is not required to approve a course sooner than 30 days after the filing of an application for course approval.

(3)Schools shall update examination preparation course materials in the manner required by §535.65 of this title (relating to Change in Ownership or Operation of School; Presentation of Courses, Advertising, and Records).

(4)In the presentation of examination preparation courses, schools must ensure that the students are advised of the confidentiality of the contents of examinations administered for the commission and of the punishments for a violation of §535.61 of this title (relating to Examinations).

§535.65. Changes in Ownership or Operation of School; Presentation of Courses, Advertising, and Records. [Adopted January 31, 2000; amended June 27, 2002; January 1, 2004; May 11, 2004 and December 30, 2007]

(a) Changes in Ownership or Operation. A school shall obtain the approval of the commission in advance of any material change in the operation of the school, including but not limited to, ownership, location of main office and any other locations where courses are offered, management, and course formats. A request for approval of a change of ownership will be considered as if each proposed new owner had applied for accreditation of the school, and each new owner must meet the standards imposed by §535.64 of this title (relating to Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Instructors). A school

§§535.65(a)-.65(e)(1)

requesting approval of a change in ownership shall provide all of the following information or documents to the commission:

(1) the proportion of ownership of each proposed new owner,

(2)a professional resume of each proposed new owner who would hold at least a 10% interest in the school;

(3)business financial statements of each proposed new owner who would hold at least a 10% interest in the school, which shall include the statement of financial condition and statement of net worth for the accounting period in which the application is made, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(4)a statement of any proposed changes in the operation or location of the school;

(5)a new bond in the amount of $20,000 for the proposed new owner(s), a statement from the bonding company indicating that the former bond will transfer to the proposed new owner(s), or other security acceptable to the commission under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act), §1101.302.

(6)a completed Form ED 1-0, Education Provider Application, reflecting all required information for the proposed new owner(s); and

(7)a completed Form ED 2-0, Principal Information Form, for each proposed new owner who would hold at least a 10% interest in the school.

(b)School facilities.

(1)A school shall maintain a fixed office in the State of Texas. The office must be large enough for maintenance of all records, office equipment, files, telephone equipment, and office space for customer service. A school shall ensure that its classroom facilities are adequate for the needs of the school and pose no threat to the health or safety of students.

(2)Except as provided by this section, every school shall be open to the public, and shall advertise all courses publicly so as to encourage reasonably an open enrollment. A school may obtain approval from the commission, however, to hold classes in facilities to which access has been limited by a governmental unit.

(c)Responsibility of schools. A school is responsible to the commission for the conduct and administration of each course presentation, punctuality of classroom sessions, student attendance records, instructor performance and attendance, examination administration, proper student certification, and certification of records. A school shall establish business hours during which school staff are available for public inquiry

and assistance. A school shall ensure that instructors or other persons do not recruit or solicit prospective salespersons or brokers in a classroom during class time.

(d)Instructors.

(1)A school shall select each instructor on the basis of expertise in the subject area of instruction and ability as an instructor. Except as provided by this section, a school may not utilize an instructor unless the instructor has been approved by the commission. A school shall require specialized training or work experience for instructors for specialized subjects such as law, appraisal, investments, or taxation. A school may use as a guest speaker a person who has not been approved as an instructor, provided that no more than a total of three hours of instruction in a 30-hour course are taught by persons who are not approved instructors.

(2)An instructor shall teach a course in substantially the same manner represented to the commission in the instructor's manual or other documents filed with the application for course approval.

(3)A school shall provide instructor evaluation forms for completion by students in every class and establish procedures for instructional review. The school shall file in the school records any comments by the school's management relevant to instructor evaluation reports. On demand by the commission the school shall produce student instructor evaluation forms for inspection.

(4)A school shall ensure that at the beginning of each examination preparation course, the instructor reads aloud to all students the provisions of subsection (a) of §535.61 of this title (relating to Examinations).

(5)Schools may request MCE credit be given to instructors of real estate core courses subject to the following guidelines.

(A)The instructors may receive credit for only those portions of the course which they teach by filing a completed MCE Form 11-3, Instructor Credit Request.

(B)The instructors may receive full course credit by attending all of the remainder of the course.

(e)Course examinations.

(1)A school shall administer an examination approved by the commission in each course as a component of determining successful completion of a course of study. A school may not permit a student to take a final examination prior to the completion of any makeup required by this section. In the event of failure of a course final examination, a school may permit a student to

retake a final examination once after at least a seven day waiting period and completion of additional course work prescribed by the school. A school shall require a student who fails the examination a second time to retake the course. A school shall require makeup final examinations to be completed within 90 days of the termination of the original class or report the students who do not timely complete the examination requirement as dropped from the class with no credit.

(2)Except in the case of math courses which require a minimum of 20 questions, a school shall use final examinations consisting of at least

60questions with an unweighted passing score of 70%. A school shall revise final course examinations for active courses at least annually and shall furnish the commission copies of all revisions. Each of the subjects required by statute or commission rule for a core course must be covered in the exam of that course. A school shall ensure that an examination proctor who is either a member of the school staff or faculty is present with the class during all regularly scheduled final course examinations.

(f)Pre-enrollment agreements, tuition and

fees.

(1)Prior to the start of a course, a school shall provide each student with a pre-enrollment agreement signed by a representative of the school and the student. The agreement must include all of the following information:

(A)the tuition for the course;

(B)any fees charged by the school for supplies, materials, or books needed in course work, shown in an itemized fashion;

(C)the school's policy regarding the refund of tuition and other fees, including a statement addressing refund policy when a student is dismissed or withdraws voluntarily;

(D)attendance requirements;

(E)acceptable makeup procedures, including any applicable time limits and any fees that may be charged for makeup sessions; and

(F)the procedure and fees for taking any permitted makeup final examination or any permitted re-examination, including any applicable time limits.

(2)If the school cancels a course, the school shall fully refund all fees collected from students or, at the student's option, the school may credit the student for another course. The school shall inform the commission when a student requests a refund because of a withdrawal due to the student's dissatisfaction with the quality of the course.

(3)Any written advertisement by the school

§§535.65(e)(1)-.65(i)(1)

which contains a fee charged by the school must display all fees for the course in the same place in the advertisement and with the same degree of prominence.

(g)Course materials.

(1)A school shall update course materials during the period of time a course may be given to ensure that current and accurate information is provided to students. The school shall file updated course materials and revisions of the course outline with the commission prior to implementation, and the commission may direct a school to revise the materials further or cease use of materials. The commission may direct that the school withdraw texts.

(2)A school shall provide each student with copies for the student's permanent use of any printed material which is the basis for a significant portion of the course. The school shall provide ample space on handouts for notetaking or completion of any written exercises.

(h)Presentation of courses.

(1)A school shall present core real estate courses prescribed by the Act, §1101.003 and real estate related courses accepted by the commission in no less than 30 classroom hours of instruction. The school shall advertise and schedule a course for the full clock hours of time for which credit is awarded.

(2)A school may give one hour of credit for a minimum of 50 clock minutes of actual classroom session time. A school shall provide a break of at least 20 minutes to be given at least every two hours. While a school is expected to ensure that each student is present in the classroom for the hours of time for which credit is awarded, this section is not intended to penalize students who must leave the classroom for brief periods of time for personal reasons such as taking medication or responding to the call of nature.

(i)Course credit and records.

(1)Within ten days following the completion of other than an alternative delivery method course or correspondence course, a school shall provide the commission with a class roster in a format approved by the commission. For an

alternative delivery method course or correspondence course, a school shall provide a roster of those students completing the course within 10 days after the end of the month in which the student completed the course. The listing of students must be numbered and in alphabetical order, with each student's last name shown first, and must show after each student's name the final grade of either passed, failed, incomplete, or dropped, in language or symbols that can be correlated with these categories. The school shall explain any other grade concisely

§§535.65(i)(1)-.65(j)(5)

but clearly. The school shall list all instructors used in the course on the roster.

(A) "Passed" must be limited to those students who attended all of the scheduled classes or completed acceptable makeup and who successfully passed the final course examination based on passing standards approved by the commission.

(B) "Failed" must be limited to those students who had acceptable classroom attendance but failed the final course examination. If, however, the school permits the student to retake the examination in accordance with subsection (e) of this section, the first failure must be reported as an incomplete grade.

(C)"Incomplete" must be limited to those students who met the attendance requirements, but did not take the final course examination; those who attended at least two/thirds of the scheduled course hours but did not complete acceptable makeup; or those who fail the final course examination but will be permitted to take a second examination. If a student is reported incomplete and later completes acceptable makeup and the final examination, the school shall file a supplemental report with the commission giving the student's name and final grade report and using the same format and course data as the original class report. The school shall file a separate supplemental report for each individual class but may include more than one student on the report if all students were in the same original class.

(D)"Dropped" must be limited to those students who missed more than one/third of the scheduled class in which they were originally enrolled; those who voluntarily terminated their enrollment; or those whose enrollment was terminated for cause by a school director.

(2)A school may permit a student who attends at least two-thirds of a scheduled course to complete makeup work to satisfy attendance requirements. Acceptable makeup procedures are the attendance in the corresponding class sessions in a subsequent offering of the same course or the supervised presentation by audio or video recording of the class sessions actually missed. A school shall require all class makeup sessions to be completed within 90 days of the completion of the original course, or the student must be considered dropped with no credit for the course. A member of the school's staff must approve the makeup procedure to be followed. A student attending less than two-thirds of the originally scheduled course must automatically be dropped from the course without credit and reported as dropped. Dropped status may not be changed by makeup sessions, and any hours accumulated may not be transferred to any other course.

(3) A school shall issue to the students successfully completing a course of instruction an official certificate which reflects the school's name, branch, course title, course numbers, and the number of classroom hours (or other recognized educational unit) involved in the course. All core course certificates must show the statutory core course title or other identification as prescribed by the commission. Certificates also must show the date of issuance and be signed by an official of the school, or if the certificate is computer printed, the school logo may be substituted for the signature. Letters or other official communications also may be provided to students for submission to the commission as evidence of satisfactory completion of the course. Such letters must fully reflect the school name, the course title and number, educational units, and be dated and signed by an official of the school, or if the letter is computer printed, the school logo may be substituted for the signature. A school shall maintain adequate security for completion certificates and letters. Compliance with this requirement will be determined by the commission during all school audits. A school may withhold a student's certificate of completion of a course until the student has fulfilled the student's financial obligation to the school.

(4)A school shall maintain records of each student enrolled in any course for a minimum of five years. The full class file and student enrollment agreements must be retained for at least 12 months following completion of the class.

(5)A school shall maintain financial records sufficient to reflect at any time the financial condition of the school. A school's financial statement and balance sheets must be available for audit by commission personnel, and the commission may require presentation of financial statements or other financial records.

(j)Advertising. The following practices are prohibited:

(1)using any advertising which does not contain the school's name;

(2)representing that the school's program is the only vehicle by which a person may satisfy educational requirement for licensing;

(3)conveying a false impression of the school's size, importance, location, equipment or facilities;

(4)making unsubstantiated claims that the school's programs are superior to any other course of instruction;

(5)promoting the school directly or indirectly as a job placement agency, unless the school is participating in a program recognized by federal,

state, or local government and is providing job placement services to the extent the services are required by the program; or

(6) making any statement which is misleading, likely to deceive the public, or which in any manner tends to create a misleading impression.

§535.66. Payment of Annual Fee, Audits, Investigations and Enforcement Actions.

[Adopted January 31, 2000; amended January 1, 2004;]

(a)Payment of annual fee. A school shall pay the fee prescribed by Section 1101.152(a)(11) of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (the Act) and by §535.101 of this title (relating to Fees) no later than the anniversary of the date of the school’s accreditation. At least 30 days prior to the day the fee is due, the commission shall send a written notice to the school to pay the fee, but the school's obligation to pay the fee is not affected by any failure to receive the notice.

(b)Audits and evaluations. Schools are subject to audit by commission employees. Commission employees may conduct on-site audits without prior notice to the school, and may enroll and attend a course without identifying themselves as employees of the commission. Commission employees also may evaluate the effectiveness of course materials or instructors through surveys of students. The commission may require a school to furnish students with an evaluation form approved by the commission and to request that the students complete and return the form directly to the licensing and education division of the commission. An audit report or evaluation indicating noncompliance with these sections will be treated as a written complaint against the school or instructor concerned and will be referred to the enforcement division of the commission for appropriate resolution.

(c) Complaints, investigations and hearings. The commission shall investigate complaints against schools or instructors which allege acts constituting violations of these sections. Complaints must be in writing, and the commission may not initiate an investigation or take action against a school or instructor based on an anonymous complaint. Complaints against a school or instructor received by any division of the commission will be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate resolution. Commission employees may file written complaints against a school or instructor if course completion rosters or other documents filed with the commission provide reasonable cause to believe a violation of these sections has occurred. The school or instructor named in the complaint will be provided with a copy of the complaint. Proceedings against schools and instructors will be conducted in the manner required by the Act, §1101.657, the

§§535.65(j)(5)-.66(e)(3)

Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001 and Chapter 533 of this title (relating to Practice and Procedure). Venue for any hearing conducted under this section will be in Travis County.

(d)Grounds for disciplinary action against a school. The commission may issue a reprimand, place on probation, suspend or revoke accreditation of a school, or impose an administrative penalty when it has been determined that the school has been guilty of engaging in any of the following acts:

(1) procuring or attempting to procure approval for a school, course or instructor by fraud, misrepresentation or deceit, or by making a material misrepresentation of fact in an application filed with the commission;

(2) making a false representation to the commission, either intentionally or negligently, that a person had attended a course or a portion of a course for which credit was awarded, that a person had completed an examination, or that the person had completed any other requirement for course credit;

(3)aiding or abetting a person to circumvent the requirements for attendance established by these sections, the completion of any examination, or any other requirement for course credit;

(4)failing to provide within 15 days information requested by the commission as a result of a complaint which would indicate a violation of these sections;

(5)making a materially false statement to the commission in response to a request from the commission for information relating to a complaint against the school or instructor;

(6)disregarding or violating a provision of these sections or of the Act; or

(7)failing to maintain sufficient financial resources to continue operation of the school without placing students at risk of financial loss.

(e)The existence of any of the following conditions shall constitute prima facie evidence that a school’s financial condition is insufficient for continuing operation:

(1)nonpayment of a liability when due, if the balance due is greater than 5% of the school’s current assets in the current or prior accounting period;

(2)nonpayment of three or more liabilities when due, in the current or prior accounting

period, regardless of the balance due for each liability;

(3) a pattern of nonpayment of liabilities when due, in two or more accounting periods,

Texas Real Estate Commission to offer courses for which mandatory continuing education credit is given.

(14)Required legal ethics course--A required course created for and approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission to satisfy three of the six legal hours of mandatory continuing education required by §1101.455 of the Act.

(15)Required legal update course--A required course created for and approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission to satisfy three of the six legal hours of mandatory continuing education required by §1101.455 of the Act.

(16)Required legal course or legal credits--

The required legal update or legal ethics courses or credits earned for attending such courses.

(17) Student--An individual taking an MCE course for credit.

(b) Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements. On or after January 1, 2005 and except as authorized by §535.92 of this chapter, for the next and all subsequent renewals of a license on active status that is not subject to the annual education requirements of §1101.454 of the Act, the license holder must attend during the term of the current license, two Commission- developed legal courses consisting of a three- hour required legal update course and a three- hour required legal ethics course to satisfy the six legal hours of mandatory continuing education required by §1101.455 of the Act. The remaining nine hours required by §1101.455 of the Act may consist of elective credit courses registered with the commission under this section.

(c) Application. A person who wishes to offer courses accepted by the commission for MCE credit shall apply to the commission for approval to be an MCE provider and shall register each MCE course using application forms prepared by the commission. The commission may refuse to accept any application which is not complete or which is not accompanied by the appropriate filing fee. Each prospective provider shall submit a provider application and at least one principal information form.

(d) Forms. The commission adopts by reference the following forms published and available from the commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188, www.trec.state.tx.us:

(1) MCE Form 1A-2, MCE Provider Application;

(2)MCE Form 1B-2, MCE Provider Application Supplement;

(3)MCE Form 2-3, MCE Principal Information

Form;

(4)MCE Form 3A-3, MCE Course Application;

(5)MCE Form 3B-3, MCE Course Application Supplement;

§§535.71(a)(13)-.71(h)

(6)MCE Form 8-4, MCE Course Completion

Roster;

(7)MCE Form 9-8, Alternative Instructional Methods Reporting Form;

(8)MCE Form 10-2, MCE Credit Request for an Out of State Course;

(9)MCE Form 11-4, MCE Instructor Credit Request;

(10)MCE Form 12-2, Individual MCE Elective Credit Request for State Bar Course;

(11)MCE Form 14-1, Individual MCE Partial Credit Request Form

(12)MCE Form 15-0, Individual MCE Elective Credit Request for Professional Designation Course; and

(13)MCE Form 16-1, Instructor Application- MCE Elective.

(e)Provider application. To be approved as an MCE provider, a person must satisfy the commission as to the person's ability to administer with honesty, trustworthiness and integrity a course of continuing education in MCE subjects registered with the commission. If the

person proposes to employ independent contractors to conduct or to administer the courses, any independent contractor named in the application must meet this standard as if the independent contractor were the applicant; however, the applicant is responsible for responding to communications from the commission relating to the application.

(f)Additional information related to application. The commission may request that an applicant provide additional information, and the commission may terminate an application without further notice if the applicant fails to provide the additional information within 60 days of the mailing of a request by the commission.

(g)Fees. The commission shall establish fees in accordance with the provisions of the Act, §1101.152, at such times as the commission deems appropriate. Fees are not refundable and must be submitted in the form of a check or money order, or, in the case of state agencies, colleges or universities, in a form of payment acceptable to the commission.

(h)Approval of applicants. The commission

may authorize the manager or director of the education division of the commission, or a designate, to determine whether applications for MCE providers or instructors should be approved or certified. The commission may disapprove an application for failure to satisfy the commission as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness or integrity, or for any reason which would be a ground to suspend or revoke a real estate license. If an application is disapproved, the commission shall provide written notice to the applicant detailing the basis of the decision.

§§535.71(i)-.71(q)

(i) Appeal. An applicant may appeal a disapproval by filing with the commission a written request for a hearing within 10 days after the receipt of the notice of disapproval. Following the hearing, the commission may sustain or withdraw the disapproval or establish conditions for the approval of a provider, course or instructor. Proceedings involving applications shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001. Venue for any hearing conducted under this section shall be in Travis County.

(j) Power of attorney. If a provider does not maintain a fixed office in this state for the duration of the provider's approval to offer courses, the provider shall designate a resident of this state as attorney-in-fact to accept service of process and act as custodian of any records in Texas which the provider is required to maintain by these sections. A power-of-attorney designating the resident must be filed with the commission in a form acceptable to the commission.

(k) Subsequent application for provider approval or course registration. Unless withdrawn earlier for cause as provided by these sections, a provider's authority to offer courses for which MCE credit is given expires two years from the date the provider is approved by the commission. Authority to offer any MCE courses ends with the expiration of the provider's approval, and the provider must pay current fees and reapply for approval as a provider in order to offer MCE courses again. An elective credit course registered with the commission may be offered by the provider for a period of two years after the course is registered or until the provider's authority to act as a provider finally expires or is withdrawn for cause, whichever first occurs. If a course was originally registered by another provider, the registration period is measured from the date of registration for the original provider. A provider may apply for approval to be a provider for another two years no sooner than six months prior to the expiration of existing provider approval.

(l) Approval of instructor. A person who wishes to be an instructor of any MCE course shall apply to the commission for approval using an application form approved by the commission. To be approved as an instructor of any MCE course, an applicant must satisfy the commission as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness and integrity. Subsections (f) - (i) of this section apply to an applicant for approval of an instructor.

(m) Term of instructor approval. If the commission determines that the applicant meets the standards for instructor approval, the commission shall approve the application and provide a written notice of the approval to the

applicant. Unless surrendered or revoked for cause, the approval will be valid for a period of five years.

(n) Subsequent application for instructor approval. No more than six months prior to the expiration of the current approval, an instructor may apply for approval for another five year period.

(o)Required legal update and ethics courses. The commission shall approve bi-annually a legal update course and a legal ethics course which shall be conducted through providers by instructors certified by the commission under this subchapter. The subject matter and course materials for the courses shall be created for and approved by the commission. The courses expire on December 31 of each odd-numbered year and shall be replaced with new courses approved by the commission. A provider may not offer a new course until an instructor of the course obtains recertification by attending a new instructor training program. Providers must acquire the commission-developed course materials and utilize such materials to conduct the required legal courses. The required legal courses must be conducted as prescribed by the rules in this subchapter and the course materials developed for the commission.

(p)Modification of the required legal courses. Providers and instructors may modify a required legal course only to provide additional information on the same or similar topics covered in the course or to create distance learning courses that are substantially similar to the live courses developed for the commission. To the extent that a required legal course is modified or integrated into a longer course for which additional elective credit is requested, the commission shall grant elective and legal credit for the combined course.

(q)Instructor certification. Only instructors certified by the commission may teach the required legal courses or develop distance learning courses for the presentation of required legal courses. An instructor must obtain prior commission approval under subsection (r) of this section prior to attending an instructor training program. The commission shall issue a written certification to an instructor to teach the applicable required legal course(s) upon the instructor's satisfactory completion of a training program to teach the required legal course(s) that is acceptable to the commission. An instructor may obtain certification to teach either one or both required legal courses. A certified legal course instructor may teach the required legal courses for any approved provider after the instructor has attended an instructor training program. A certified legal course instructor may not independently conduct a required legal course unless the instructor has also obtained

approval as a provider. An instructor must obtain written certification from the commission prior to teaching the required legal courses and prior to representing to any provider or other party that he or she is certified or may be certified as a legal course instructor. An instructor's certification to teach a required legal course expires on December 31 of every odd-numbered year. An instructor may obtain recertification by attending a new instructor training program.

(r)Standards for approval of instructors of required legal courses. Prior to attending an instructor training course, a person must obtain commission approval to be an instructor using Form ED 4-2, Instructor Application - Core, Legal Update, and Ethics, adopted by the commission. To be approved as an instructor of a required legal update or ethics course, a person must possess the following qualifications:

(1)a college degree in the subject area of Real Estate, or five years professional experience in the subject areas of Principles of Real Estate, Law of Agency, and Law of Contracts; and

(2)three years experience in teaching or training; or

(3)the equivalent of paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection as determined by the commission after due consideration of the applicant's professional experience, research, authorship or other significant endeavors in the subject area.

(s)Approval of instructor. If the commission determines that the applicant meets the standards for instructor approval, the commission shall approve the application and provide a written notice of the approval to the applicant. Unless surrendered or revoked for cause, the approval will be valid for a period of five years.

(t)Elective credit courses. To be approved to offer a course for MCE elective credit, the provider must demonstrate that the course subject matter is appropriate for a continuing education course for real estate licensees and that the information provided in the course will be current and accurate by submitting a brief statement that describes the objective of the course and explains how the subject matter is related to activities for which a real estate license is required, including but not limited to relevant issues in the real estate market or topics which increase or support the licensee's development of skill and competence.

(u)Elective course application. A provider applicant must submit an MCE Form 3A-3, MCE Course Application and receive written acknowledgment from the commission prior to offering an MCE elective course. Prior to advertising or offering a course offered by another provider, the subsequent provider must

§§535.71(q)-.71(aa)(3)

submit an MCE Form 3B-3, Course Application Supplement and receive written acknowledgment from the commission.

(v) Legal update and legal ethics course application. A provider must submit an MCE form 3B-3, Course Application Supplement and receive written acknowledgment from the commission prior to offering a required legal update or required legal ethics course.

(w)Core courses for elective credit. Courses approved by the commission for core real estate course credit provided in the Act, §1101.356 and §1101.358, may be accepted for satisfying MCE elective credit course requirements provided the student files a course completion certificate with the commission.

(x)Acceptable combined courses. An elective credit course offered by a provider to satisfy all or part of the nine hours of other than legal topics required by the Act, §1101.455, may be offered with the required legal update course or required legal ethics course.

(y)Required legal courses for real estate related courses. MCE legal update and legal ethics courses may be accepted by the commission as real estate related courses for satisfying the education requirements of §1101.356 and §1101.358, of the Act.

(z)Correspondence courses for elective credit. An MCE provider may register an MCE elective course by correspondence with the commission if the course is subject to the following conditions:

(1)the course must be offered by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or its equivalent, which offers correspondence courses, whether credit or noncredit, in other disciplines;

(2)the content of the course must satisfy the requirements of the Act, §1101.455, and these sections; and

(3)the course does not include a request for required legal course credit.

(aa) Alternative delivery method courses for elective credit. An MCE provider may register an MCE elective course by alternative delivery method with the commission if the course is subject to the following conditions:

(1)the content of the course must satisfy the requirements of the Act, §1101.455, and these sections;

(2)the course does not include a request for required legal course credit; and

(3)every provider offering a registered course under this subsection shall:

§§535.71(aa)(3)(A)-.71(dd)(2)(H)

(A) ensure that a qualified person is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary;

(B)provide that procedures are in place to ensure that the student who completes the work is the student who is enrolled in the course; and

(C)certify students as successfully completing the course only if the student:

(i)has completed all instructional modules; and

(ii)has attended any hours of live instruction and/or testing required for a given course.

(bb)Correspondence courses for required legal credit. The commission may approve a provider to offer an MCE required legal ethics course by correspondence subject to the following conditions:

(1)the course must be offered by a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or its equivalent, which offers correspondence courses, whether credit or noncredit, in other disciplines;

(2)the content of the course must satisfy the requirements of the Act, §1101.455 and these sections, and must be substantially similar to the legal courses disseminated and updated by the Commission;

(3)students receiving MCE credit for the course must pass either:

(A) a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider; or

(B) an examination by use of a computer under conditions that satisfy the commission that the examinee is the same person who seeks MCE credit; and

(4)written course work required of students must be graded by an approved instructor or the provider's coordinator or director, who is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider.

(cc)Each required legal course offered by correspondence must contain the following:

(1)course description;

(2)learning objectives;

(3)evaluation techniques;

(4)lessons;

(5)learning activities;

(6)final examination;

(7)source materials disseminated by the Commission including all updates; and

(8)instructor grading guidelines, including acceptable answers for lessons, assessments and examinations.

(dd)Alternative delivery method courses for required legal credit. The commission may accept required legal courses offered by alternative delivery method subject to the following conditions.

(1)The content of the course must satisfy the requirements of the Act, §1101.455 and these sections, and must be substantially similar to the legal courses disseminated and updated by the Commission.

(2)Every course accepted under this subsection shall teach to mastery. Teaching to mastery means that the course must, at a minimum:

(A)divide the material into major units of instruction that follows the outline of the applicable required legal course for delivery on a computer or other approved interactive audio or audiovisual programs;

(B)specify the learning objectives for each unit of instruction;

(C)specify an objective, quantitative criterion for mastery used for each learning objective;

(D)implement a structured learning method by which each student is able to attain each learning objective;

(E)provide a means of diagnostic assessment of each student's performance on an ongoing basis during each unit of instruction, measuring what each student has learned and not learned at regular intervals throughout each unit of instruction;

(F)provide a means of tailoring the instruction to the needs of each student as identified in subparagraph (D) of this paragraph.

The process of tailoring the instruction shall ensure that each student receives adequate remediation for specific deficiencies identified by the diagnostic assessment;

(G)continue the appropriate remediation on an individualized basis until the student demonstrates achievement of mastery of each unit; and

(H)require that the student demonstrate mastery of all material covered by the learning objectives for the module before the module is completed.

(3) The commission must approve the method by which each of the above elements of mastery in paragraph (2)(A) - (H) of this subsection is accomplished.

(4)The rationale for the education processes implemented in the course must be based on sound instructional strategies which have been systematically designed and proven effective through educational research and development. The basis and rationale for any proposed instructional approach must be specified in the application for approval. Programs which consist primarily of text material will not be approved.

(5)An approved instructor or the provider's coordinator/director shall grade the written course work.

(6)Every provider offering an approved course under this subsection shall:

(A)ensure that a qualified person is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary;

(B)satisfy the commission that procedures are in place to ensure that the student who completes the work is the student who is enrolled in the course;

(C)certify students as successfully completing the course only if the student;

(i)has completed all instructional modules required to demonstrate mastery of the material;

(ii)has attended any hours of live instruction and/or testing required for a given course; and

(iii)has passed either:

(I)a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider; or

(II) an examination by use of a computer under conditions that satisfy the commission that the examinee is the same person who seeks MCE credit; and

(D) provide the students with the same materials given to students who attend the same course by live instruction.

(ee) Supervised Video Instruction for elective course credit. A provider may register a course under subsection (u) of this section to be taught by supervised video instruction if:

(1) the provider complies with §535.72 of this chapter when offering and advertising the course and when completing rosters and retaining records;

§§535.71(dd)(3)-.71(jj)(1)

(2)a proctor is present during the time the video is shown; and

(3)the provider discloses in any advertisement for the course that the instruction will be by supervised video instruction

(ff)Supervised Video Instruction for required legal course credit. A provider may register a course under subsection (o) of this section to be taught by supervised video instruction if the provider:

(1)complies with subsection (ee)(1) - (3) of this section;

(2)ensures that a certified instructor is available to answer students' questions or provide assistance as necessary; and

(3)ensures that students receiving MCE credit for the course passed a proctored final examination administered under controlled conditions to positively identified students, at a location and by an official approved by the commission and graded by the instructor or, if the examination is being graded mechanically or by use of a computer, by the provider, using answer keys approved by the instructor or provider.

(gg)An applicant must submit an MCE Form 3B-3, MCE Course Application Supplement to

seek approval to offer an MCE distance learning required legal course and receive written acknowledgment from the commission prior to offering the course. Distance learning legal courses may be offered on or after July 1, 2005.

(hh) For a distance learning course, an online course will not be considered complete until credit is awarded by the provider. The provider shall award the student credit for the course no earlier than 24 hours after the student starts the course and after the student completes the course requirements for credit. The provider shall report the awarding of credit to the commission either by filing a completed MCE Form 9-8, Alternative Instructional Methods Reporting Form, signed by the student, or submitting the information contained in MCE Form 9-8 by electronic means acceptable to the commission.

(ii)A provider may use as guest speakers persons who have not been approved as instructors, provided that no more than a total of 50% of the course is taught by the unapproved persons for a registered MCE elective credit course. The commission-registered instructor must remain in the classroom during the guest speaker's presentation.

(jj)A provider may use guest speakers who have not been approved as instructors to

conduct a registered MCE elective credit course if:

(1) the provider is an accredited college or

§§535.71(jj)(1)-.72(e)

university or a professional trade association as defined by §535.62(b) of this chapter; and

(2) the course is supervised and coordinated by a commission-approved instructor who is responsible for verifying the attendance of all who request MCE credit.

§535.72. Mandatory Continuing Education:

Presentation of Courses, Advertising and

Records. [Repealed September 1, 2004]

§535.72. Mandatory Continuing Education: Presentation of Courses, Advertising and Records. [Adopted September 1, 2004; amended December 30, 2007; Ref: §1101.455]

(a) Course completion roster. A provider offering each MCE course shall file an MCE Course Completion Roster, MCE Form 8-4 with the commission within 10 days following completion of the course for licensees who have attended the entire course registered with the commission. Course completion rosters may be transmitted for filing by facsimile machine. MCE Form 8-4 shall be signed by an authorized representative of the provider who was in attendance and for whom an authorized signature exemplar is on file with the commission or the instructor for the course. Providers are responsible for the security of the course completion rosters. The commission may not accept signature stamps or unsigned forms. Providers must make every reasonable effort to ensure that no student is certified for full MCE credit who has not attended all class sessions.

(b)Partial credit.

(1)A provider may, but is not required, to permit a student to claim partial credit for a course if:

(A)the course is approved for elective credit only;

(B)the course is not a distance learning

course;

(C)the student attends less than the complete number of hours in the course;

(D)the student, by completing MCE Form 14-0, Individual MCE Partial Credit Request Form, requests credit only for the hours the student completed and the student does not claim credit for an hour that the student did not attend in its entirety except as provided by subsection (c) of this section.

(E)the provider signs the MCE Partial Credit Request Form as evidence that the provider has no reason to believe the amount of credit claimed is inaccurate;

(F)the provider submits the MCE Partial Credit Request Form to the commission within

the time required to submit the course completion roster under subsection (a) of this section.

(2) Partial credit may not be granted for any course that contains as part of its curriculum all or part of the six legal hours of mandatory continuing education required by §1101.455 of the Act.

(c)Attendance. While a provider is expected to ensure that each student is present in the classroom for the hours of time for which credit is awarded, this section is not intended to penalize students who must leave the classroom for brief periods of time for personal reasons. Providers shall make every reasonable effort to ensure that no student is given course credit if the student persists in disrupting the orderly conduct of a class after being cautioned by the provider or the instructor to cease disruptive behavior. Providers may not use students for administration or monitoring duties during the course if the use prevents the student's participation in a significant portion of the course.

(d)Proof of distance learning course completion. In a distance learning course, the provider shall award the student credit for the course no earlier than 24 hours after the student starts the course and after the student completes course requirements for credit. The provider shall report the awarding of credit to the commission. Course credit must be reported either by the provider filing a completed MCE Form 9-8, signed by the student, or submitting the information contained in MCE Form 9-8 by electronic means acceptable to the commission. If the provider chooses to use an electronic reporting process, the process must ensure that only students who complete the course are reported to the commission as receiving course credit and that the process does not compromise the security of commission records.

(e)Pre-course announcements. A provider shall, prior to commencement of a course, announce that the provider will not certify a student for full MCE credit unless the student attends all sessions of the course, that no makeups or written work will be allowed for MCE credit, that students may evaluate the course and instructor by downloading an evaluation form from the TREC web site and submitting the form electronically or by mail, and that the student must determine if the course is timely and appropriate for the student's MCE requirement. If the provider accepts partial credit for partial attendance at an elective credit course, the provider shall explain the procedure for granting partial credit. If the provider has not advertised or otherwise made students aware of the provider's refund policy, the pre-course announcement must also contain the refund policy. The provider may allow a ten-minute

break for every 50 minutes of session time, but a break must be given at least every two hours, using all accumulated break time, and the daily course presentation may not exceed ten hours.

(f)Facilities. Facilities used by providers for classroom presentations must be adequate to accommodate students. Providers shall ensure each student has seating, a writing surface and writing materials. Rigid tablets or clipboards may be provided as a writing surface. For a classroom course, the provider must offer the course in a location conducive to instruction that is separate and apart from the work area, such as a classroom, training room, conference room, or assembly hall.

(g)Course materials. Providers must furnish students with copies, for students' permanent use, of any material which is the basis for a significant portion of the course. Providers offering any of the required legal courses must provide the students with the materials identified as student course materials for the required legal courses. The course materials provided to the students may be in printed form or electronic media such as a CD-ROM or diskette that the student may access through commonly available software such as common word-processing programs and slide presentation programs. Ample space must be provided on handouts for note taking or completion of any written exercises. If a provider charges fees for supplies, materials, or books needed in course work, the fees must be itemized in a written statement provided to each student by the provider before the student registers for the course.

(h)Open enrollment. All MCE courses must be open to enrollment by the general public. Providers may give preference in enrollment to persons who need MCE credit to obtain, renew or activate a license and may enroll all others on a space available basis.

(i)Advertising. Advertising of MCE shall be subject to the following conditions.

(1)A provider applicant may not advertise a specific MCE course or represent in advertising that the applicant is a provider until the applicant has received written approval from the commission for the providership and registered at least one course. A provider applicant may advertise an intention to offer MCE courses if no specific course is described and the advertisement clearly indicates the applicant has not been approved as a provider.

(2)A provider may not advertise a course as acceptable for MCE credit until the provider has received written acknowledgment of registration of the course. A provider may advertise that approval of the course for MCE credit is pending provided that an application has been submitted

§§535.72(e)-.72(k)

to the commission and is awaiting approval.

(3)A provider may not offer a course until the provider has received written acknowledgment of registration of the course.

(4)Any advertisement or promotional material used by a provider must indicate the MCE provider's name or assumed business name as reflected in the commission's records and the MCE provider number assigned by the commission. The advertisement or promotional material also must include the specific MCE course numbers and course titles or a statement that MCE course numbers and titles are available from the provider; or, if approval of the course is pending, the course title and a statement that MCE approval is pending. When a provider offers a course that is hosted by another person or organization, the advertisement or promotional material must show clearly that the approved MCE provider is offering the course.

(5)A provider may not publish advertisements which are misleading or which are likely to deceive the public.

(6)Any name a provider uses in advertising must not be deceptively similar to the name of any other approved MCE provider or school accredited by the commission or falsely imply a governmental relationship.

(7)Any written advertisement which contains a fee charged by the provider shall display all fees for the course in the same place in the advertisement and with the same degree of prominence. If a provider requires students to purchase course materials which are not included in the tuition, any such fees must appear in the advertisement of the course.

(j)Record retention. Providers shall retain student attendance records for a period of three years following the completion of a course and shall make copies of the records available to former students. A provider may charge a reasonable fee to defray the cost of copying student records. A provider's records must be kept at the location designated in the MCE Provider Application. Providers must obtain prior approval from the commission to change the location at which the provider's records are kept.

(k)Course administration. Providers of MCE courses are responsible to the commission for the conduct and administration of each course presentation, the punctuality of classroom sessions, verification of student attendance, and instructor performance. Providers shall ensure that the required legal courses are administered by instructors in substantially the same manner as disseminated and updated by the commission. During the presentation of a course, providers may not promote the sale of goods or services.

§§535.72(l)-.73(e)(2)

(l) Updates. If the commission determines that it is in the public interest to update the required legal courses about changes in the law, the commission may require the provider to furnish each student with a copy of the information. The commission also may require the provider to ensure that the provider's instructors include the material in the presentation of the course. The commission shall furnish the provider with a copy of the information and notify the provider that the commission requires compliance with this subsection in a required legal course or any elective course combined with a legal course offered after the provider's receipt of the notice.

(m) Change in ownership. In the event of a change of ownership, the provider must obtain approval from the commission prior to the change, and proposed new owners shall submit an MCE Form 2-2, Principal Information Form. Providers shall report a change in business name, street or mailing address, person responsible for records or day-to-day operations, or persons authorized to sign MCE forms at least 15 days prior to the desired date of change. Providers shall report any change in refund policy, attorney-in-fact, address of attorney-in- fact or business telephone number as the change occurs.

(n)MCE credit for instructors. Providers may request MCE credit be given to instructors of MCE courses subject to the following guidelines.

(1)The instructors may receive credit for only those portions of the course that they teach by filing a completed MCE Form 11-4, Instructor Credit Request.

(2)The instructors may receive full course credit by attending all of the remainder of the course and signing the course completion roster.

(o)Written policies. Each provider shall

establish written policies governing refunds and contingency plans in the event of course cancellation. If the provider cancels a course, the provider shall fully refund all fees collected from students, or at the student's option, the provider may credit the student for another course of equal or greater credit hours.

§535.73. Compliance and Enforcement.

[Repealed September 1, 2004]

§535.73. Compliance and Enforcement.

[Adopted September 1, 2004; Ref: §1101.455]

(a) Complaints. The commission shall investigate complaints against MCE providers or instructors that allege acts constituting violations of these sections. Complaints must be in writing and the commission shall not initiate an investigation or take action against a provider or instructor based on an anonymous complaint. Commission employees may file written complaints against providers or instructors if

documents filed with the commission provide reasonable cause to believe a violation of these sections has occurred.

(b) Complaint investigation. Complaints received by the MCE section of the education division of the commission or by any other division of the commission shall be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate resolution. The provider or instructor named in the complaint shall be provided with a copy of the complaint. Proceedings involving MCE providers or instructors shall be conducted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001 and the commission's general rules of practice and procedure. Venue for any hearing conducted under this section shall be in Travis County.

(c) Audits and evaluations. Commission employees may conduct on-site audits of any course offered by an approved MCE provider. Audits shall be conducted without prior notice to the MCE provider and commission employees may enroll and attend an MCE course without identifying themselves as employees of the commission. Commission employees also may evaluate the effectiveness of course materials or instructors through evaluations submitted by students to the commission. An audit report or evaluations indicating noncompliance with these sections will be treated as a written complaint against the provider or instructor concerned and will be referred to the enforcement division for appropriate resolution.

(d)Cooperation with investigation. A provider or instructor shall fully assist any employee of the commission engaged in the performance of an audit or investigation of a complaint and shall provide records in his possession for examination by the commission or provide such information as is requested by the commission within 15 days of receiving a request for examination of records or information.

(e)Disciplinary action. The commission may reprimand, suspend or revoke the authority of a provider to offer MCE courses or suspend or revoke the approval of an instructor to teach MCE courses when it has been determined that the provider or instructor has been guilty of:

(1)procuring or attempting to procure ap- proval for a provider, course or instructor by fraud, misrepresentation or deceit, or by making a material misrepresentation of fact in an application filed with the commission;

(2)making a false representation to the commission, either intentionally or negligently, that a person had attended a course or portion of

a course for which MCE credit was awarded, that a person had completed an examination, or that the person had completed any other requirement for an MCE course;

(3) aiding or abetting a person to circumvent the requirements for attendance established by these sections, the completion of any examination or any other requirement for completion of an MCE course;

(4) failing to provide within 15 days information requested by the commission as a result of a complaint which would indicate a violation of these sections;

(5)disregarding or violating a provision of these sections or the Act; or

(6)making a materially false statement to the commission in response to a request from the commission for information relating to a complaint against the provider or instructor.

(f)Instructor teaching skills. Instructors must conduct themselves in a professional and courteous manner when performing their

instructional duties. An instructor must have reasonable experience or education in the subject matter to be taught. An instructor must maintain an appropriate learning environment and effective control of the class. An instructor must present information in an accurate, logical, and orderly manner. Providers are responsible to utilize instructors who meet the requirements under this section.

(g) Orders. An order of suspension or revocation issued under this section may be probated upon reasonable terms and conditions as determined by the commission.

H. Recovery Fund

§535.81. Recovery fund: Fee. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended May 27, 1998; Ref: §1101.603] If a person licensed as a real estate salesperson has paid the recovery fund fee, the person would not be required to pay a recovery fund fee in connection with the processing of an application for real estate broker licensure.

I. Licenses

§535.91. Renewal Notices. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended July 20, 1981; June 1, 1990; August 19, 1991 July 18, 1994; July 16, 1996; September 1, 2000; October 4, 2001; January 1, 2004; September 1, 2004; July 1, 2006 and December 30, 2007. Ref: §1101.363]

(a) Each real estate license expires on the date shown on the face of the license certificate issued to the licensee. The licensee has the responsibility to apply for renewal of a license by making proper application, paying the fee set by the commission and completing mandatory continuing education (MCE) courses within the time periods required by the Act, §1101.455.

§§535.73(e)(3)-.92(a)

(b) Except as authorized by §535.92 of this chapter, for the renewal of a license on active status that is not subject to the annual education requirements of §1101.454 of the Act, the license holder must attend during the term of the current license, at least two Commission developed legal courses consisting of a three- hour legal update course and a three-hour legal ethics course to comply with the six legal hours of mandatory continuing education required by §1101.455 of the Act. The remaining nine hours required by §1101.455 of the Act may consist of elective credit courses registered with the commission under subchapter G of this chapter.

(c) The commission shall mail a renewal notice for an active broker or an inactive licensee to the last known permanent mailing address of the broker or licensee as shown in the commission's computerized records. The commission shall mail a renewal notice for an active salesperson to the permanent mailing address of the salesperson's sponsoring broker. The commission shall mail the notice three months before the expiration of the current license. Each licensee shall furnish a permanent mailing address to the commission and report all subsequent address changes within 10 days after a change of address. If a licensee fails to provide a permanent mailing address, the last known mailing address provided by the licensee will be deemed to be the licensee's permanent mailing address. Failure to receive a license renewal notice does not relieve a licensee of the obligation to renew a license. A licensee shall provide information requested by the commission in connection with an application to renew a license within 30 days after the commission requests the information. Failure to provide information requested by the commission in connection with a renewal application within the required time is grounds for disciplinary action under the Act, §1101.656.

§535.92. Renewal: Time for Filing; Satisfaction of Mandatory Continuing Education Requirements. [Adopted January 1, 1976. Amended November 14,1979; July 20, 1981; October 13, 1982; April 7, 1983; March 17, 1989; June 1, 1990; November 9, 1990; June 18, 1991; January 1, 1992; April 8, 1993; November 23, 1993; May 27, 1998; October 5, 1998; March 1, 1999;September 1, 2000; October 4, 2001; September 1, 2004; July 1, 2006; December 30, 2007 and June 1, 2008. Ref: §1101.363]

(a) A renewal application is timely filed if it is received by the commission or postmarked on or before the expiration date of the license. If the license expires on a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which the headquarters office of the commission is not open for business, the renewal application is timely filed if the application is received or postmarked no later than the first business day after the expiration date of the license.

§§535.92(b)-.92(g)

(b)If an application is filed within one year after the expiration of an existing license, the commission may issue the new license prior to completing the investigation of any complaint pending against the applicant or of any matter revealed by the application. The commission may thereafter initiate an action to suspend or revoke the license after notice and hearing in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001.

(c)The commission shall advise each licensee of the time period for filing a renewal application and paying the renewal fee by mailing an appropriate notice to the licensee as prescribed by §535.91 of this title (Relating to Renewal Notices). If the licensee is subject to mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements, the notice must also contain the number of MCE hours for which the licensee has been given credit and the number of additional MCE hours required for renewal of the license. The commission shall have no obligation to so notify an inactive licensee who has failed to furnish the commission with the person's permanent mailing address or a corporation, limited liability company or partnership that has failed to designate an officer, manager or partner who meets the requirements of the Real Estate License Act (the Act).

(d)A licensee shall renew an unexpired license by accessing the commission's Internet web site, entering the required information on the renewal application form, satisfying applicable education requirements and paying the appropriate fee in accordance with the instructions provided at the site by the commission.

(e)The commission may not renew a license issued to a corporation, limited liability company or partnership unless the corporation, limited liability company or partnership has designated an officer, manager or partner who meets the requirements of the Act, including satisfaction of MCE requirements. No person may act as designated officer, manager or partner if the person has failed to meet MCE requirements. For the purpose of this section, MCE requirements for the designated officer, manager or partner must be satisfied during the term of any individual broker license held by the officer, manager or partner. A designated partner who is not licensed individually as a broker must complete MCE required for a two-year license within the term of the partnership's license in order to renew the license of the partnership. If the individual real estate broker license of a designated partner expires, the partnership may only renew its license if the designated partner has satisfied MCE requirements that would have been imposed if the license of the designated partner had not expired.

(f) Notwithstanding any provisions of the Act to the contrary, when a licensee in an active status files a timely application to renew a current license and has satisfied all requirements other than the completion of applicable MCE requirements, the commission shall renew the current license in an active status.

(1)If the licensee has not completed MCE requirements prior to the expiration of the current license, the licensee must, within 60 days after the effective date of the new license, pay an additional MCE deferral fee of $200 AND complete the required number of MCE hours.

(2)If, within 15 days after the end of the 60 day period set out in paragraph (1), the commission has not been provided with evidence that the licensee has completed the required number of MCE hours andthe MCE deferral fee of $200, the renewed license shall be placed on inactive status.

(3)order to reactivatelicense placed on inactive status under this subsection, the licensee must:

(A)the commission with evidence that the licensee has completed the required MCE hours;

(B), on a form acceptable to the commission, that the licensee has not engaged in activity requiring a license at any time after the license became inactive;

(C)complete and submit a Request to Return to Active Status Form if a broker or a Salesperson Sponsorship Form if a salesperson and pay the appropriate fee;

(D)if the license was placed on inactive status because the licensee failed to timely pay the $200 MCE deferral fee required by paragraph (1), the licensee must, because the licensee received the benefits of the 60-day deferral, pay the $200 MCE deferral fee; and

(E)pay a late reporting fee of $250.

(4)For the purpose of this section, a renewed license is effective the day following the expiration of the current license.courses completed after expiration of the current license under this provision may not be applied to the following renewal of the license.

(g)Credit will not be given for attendance of the same course more than once during the term of the current license or during the two-year period preceding the filing of an application for late renewal or return to active status. Each licensee attending all sessions of a course shall sign the course completion roster, MCE Form 8-4 and provide the information required for each licensee on the form. A real estate licensee may

receive partial credit for partial attendance at an MCE elective credit course if the provider permits partial credit and the provider and student verify attendance on MCE Form 14-0, Individual MCE Partial Credit Request Form. A false statement to the commission concerning attendance at an MCE course will be deemed a violation of the Act and of this section.

(h)A course taken by a Texas licensee to satisfy continuing education requirements of another state may be approved on an individual basis for MCE elective credit in this state upon the commission's determination that:

(1)the Texas licensee held an active real estate license in the other state at the time the course was taken;

(2)the course was approved for continuing education credit for a real estate license by the other state and, if a correspondence course, was offered by an accredited college or university;

(3)the Texas licensee's successful completion of the course has been evidenced by a course completion certificate, a letter from the provider or such other proof as is satisfactory to the commission;

(4)the subject matter of the course was predominately devoted to a subject acceptable for MCE credit in this state; and

(5)the Texas licensee has filed MCE Form 10-2, MCE Credit Request for an Out of State Course Credit Request, with the commission.

(i)To request MCE elective credit for real estate related courses approved by the State Bar of Texas for minimum continuing legal education participatory credit, a licensee shall file MCE Form 12-2, Individual MCE Credit Request for State Bar Course.

(j)Real estate licensees may receive MCE elective credit for core real estate courses or core real estate inspection courses that have been approved by TREC or that are accepted by TREC for satisfying educational requirements for obtaining or renewing a license. Core real estate courses must be at least 30 classroom hours in length to be accepted for MCE elective credit.

(k)A course taken by a licensee to obtain any of the following professional designations, or any other real estate related professional designation course deemed worthy by the commission, may be approved on an individual basis for MCE elective credit if the licensee files for credit for the course using MCE Form 15-0 Individual MCE Elective Credit Request for Professional Designation Course and provides the Commission with a copy of the course completion certificate.

§§535.92(g)-.93(c)

(1)ABR--Accredited Buyer Representative

(2)CRE--Counselor in Real Estate

(3)CPM--Certified Property Manager

(4)CCIM--Certified Commercial-Investment

Member

(5)CRB--Certified Residential Broker

(6)CRS--Certified Residential Specialist

(7)GRI--Graduate, Realtor Institute

(8)IREM--Institute of Real Estate Management

(9)SIOR--Society of Industrial and Office

Realtors

(l)Effective September 1, 2007, a member of the Texas Legislature who is a licensee need only take three (3) hours in legal ethics to the satisfy the legal mandatory continuing education requirements. To obtain an exemption, the licensee must be a current member of the Legislature.

(m)If a licensee is unable to renew a license on the commission's Internet website, the licensee may renew an unexpired license by obtaining a renewal application form from the Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188 and complying with the requirements of this section and §535.91 of this chapter.

§535.93. Late Renewal Applications.

[Adopted September 1, 2010.]

(a) A licensee who files a late application to renew a previous license less than one year after the expiration of the license must do so on a form approved by the commission for that purpose and is subject to the requirements of this section and Tex. Occ. Code §1101.451(e). The commission shall renew the license in an active status except as provided by this section. A license issued under this section is effective the day following the expiration of the previous license.

(b)To renew a license on active status without any lapse in active licensure, a salesperson must also submit a Salesperson Sponsorship Form certifying sponsorship for the period from the day after the previous license expired to the day the renewal license issued, and for the period beginning on the day after the renewal license issued. The same broker may be the sponsor for both periods. The commission shall renew the license on inactive status for the period(s) in which the salesperson was not sponsored.

(c)A licensee who has not completed all Mandatory Continuing Education (MCE) before

§§535.93(b)-.94(c)

the expiration of the previous license and who files a late application not later than the 60th day after the expiration of the previous license may renew the license on active status subject to the following conditions.

(1) Not later than the 60th day after the expiration of the previous license, the licensee must:

(A)pay an MCE deferral fee of $200; and

(B)complete the MCE.

(2)If, within 15 days after the end of the 60- day period set out in paragraph (1) of this

subsection, the commission has not been provided with evidence that the licensee has completed the MCE and paid the MCE deferral fee of $200, the renewed license shall be placed on inactive status. In order to reactivate a license placed on inactive status under this subsection, the licensee must:

(A)provide the commission with evidence that the licensee has completed the MCE;

(B)pay the $200 MCE deferral fee if it has not yet been paid;

(C)complete and submit a Request to

Return to Active Status Form if a broker or a Salesperson Sponsorship Form if a salesperson and pay the appropriate fee; and

(D)pay a late reporting fee of $250.

(d)If a licensee who has not completed all MCE before the expiration of the previous license files

a late application to renew the license in an active status more than 60 days but less than one year from the expiration of the license, the licensee must:

(1)provide the commission with evidence that the licensee has completed the MCE;

(2)pay the $200 MCE deferral fee;

(3)complete and submit a Salesperson Sponsorship Form if a salesperson; and

(4)pay a late reporting fee of $250.

(e)If a licensee files a late application to renew a license in an active status and has completed

all MCE before the expiration of the previous license, the licensee is not required to pay the $200 MCE deferral fee or the $250 late reporting fee.

(f) MCE completed after expiration of the previous license under this section may not be applied to any subsequent renewal of the license.

(g) A licensee may file a late application to renew a license on inactive status under this section.

§535.94. Hearing on Application Disapproval: Probationary Licenses.

[Adopted February 5, 1981; amended June 22, 1990; September 20, 2000 and September 1, 2004 and December 30, 2007; Ref: §§1101.364, 1101.365]

(a) For the purposes of the Real Estate License Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act), §§1101.364 and 1101.505, "denial of a license" means to disapprove an applicant for a real estate license for failure to comply with the requirement of the Act, §1101.354(2) to satisfy the commission as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness and integrity, or, if the applicant seeks registration as an easement or right-of- way agent, to disapprove an application for registration under §535.400 of this title (relating to Registration of Easement or Right-of-Way Agents).

(b) If the commission or a SOAH administrative law judge determines that issuance of a probationary license is appropriate, the order entered with regard to the application must set forth the terms and conditions for the probationary license. Terms and conditions for a probationary license may include any of the following:

(1) that the probationary licensee comply with the Act and with the rules of the Texas Real Estate Commission;

(2) that the probationary licensee fully cooperate with the enforcement division of the Texas Real Estate Commission in the investigation of any complaint filed against the licensee;

(3) that the probationary licensee attend a prescribed number of classroom hours in specific areas of study during the probationary period;

(4) that the probationary licensee limit real estate brokerage practice as prescribed in the order;

(5) that the probationary licensee report regularly to the commission on any matter which is the basis of the probationary license; or

(6) that the probationary licensee comply with any other terms and conditions contained in the order which have been found to be reasonable and appropriate by the commission or commission employee rendering the final decision after due consideration of the circumstances involved in the particular application.

(c) Unless the order granting a probationary license specifies otherwise, a probationary licensee may renew the license after the probationary period by filing a renewal application, satisfying applicable education requirements and paying the prescribed renewal fee.

§535.95. Miscellaneous Provisions Concerning License or Registration Renewals, Including Fingerprinting Requirements. [Adopted February 11, 1992; May 27, 1998; September 1, 2000 and June 1, 2008; Ref: H.B. 1393, 72nd Leg.; §57.491 Education Code]

(a)As used in this section, the term " license" includes a registration issued by the commission, and the term " licensee" includes registrants.

(b)A licensee on active duty in the United States armed forces serving outside the State of Texas may renew an expired license without being subject to any increase in fee, any education or experience requirements or examination if the licensee:

(1)provides a copy of official orders or other official documentation acceptable to the commission showing that the licensee was on active duty outside the state during the licensee's last renewal period;

(2)applies for the renewal within 90 days after the licensee's active duty ends; and

(3)pays the renewal application fee in effect when the previous license expired.

(c)Education requirements that would have been imposed for a timely renewal shall be deferred under this section to the next renewal of the license.

(d)Renewals of licenses issued by the commission are subject to the policies established by the Texas Education Code, §57.491. Before the commission declines to renew a license due to a default on a loan guaranteed by Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC), a default on a repayment agreement with TGSLC or a failure to enter a repayment agreement with TGSLC, the commission shall give notice and provide an opportunity for a hearing in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, §§2001.001, et seq. The commission shall advise licensees in renewal notices and license application forms that default on a loan guaranteed by the TGSLC may prevent a subsequent renewal of a license.

(e)To provide for an orderly implementation of fingerprinting requirements and minimize disruption of licensure, the commission may issue a renewal license on active status if the licensee has provided at least one set of fingerprints to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), the fingerprints were rejected by the DPS or the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI, and the licensee has otherwise complied with all other renewal requirements. If it is subsequently determined that the DPS or the FBI requires

§§535.95-.101(b)(7)

additional data from the licensee to complete a criminal history record check, the commission shall so notify the licensee. The commission may take disciplinary action against a licensee for failing to provide the requested data within a reasonable time, as specified in the notice.

J. Fees

§535.101. Fees. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended October 27, 1978; November 14, 1979, March 19, 1990; July 1, 1992 and August 31, 1992; November 1, 1993; September 1, 1995; May 27, 1998; October 11, 1999; September 1, 2000; October 15, 2001; June 24, 2002; January 1, 2004; May 10, 2004; August 31, 2004; October 25, 2007; June 1, 2008; November 17, 2008; November 1, 2009 and September 1, 2010; Ref: §1101.152]

(a)Fees for the issuance of a license due to a change of address, additional place of business or change of sponsoring broker are due when requests for such licenses are received. A change of address or name submitted with an application to renew a license, however, does not require payment of a fee in addition to the fee for renewing the license. If the commission receives a request for issuance of a license certificate which requires payment of a fee, and appropriate fee was not filed with the request, the commission shall return the request and notify the person filing the request that the person must pay the fee before the certificate will be issued. The commission may require written proof of a licensee's right to use a different name prior to issuing a license certificate reflecting a change of name. As used in this section, the term "license" includes a certificate of registration.

(b)The commission shall charge and collect the following fees:

(1)a fee of $105 for the filing of an original application for a real estate broker license, which includes a fee for transcript evaluation;

(2)a fee of $34 for annual renewal of a real estate broker license;

(3)a fee of $105 for the filing of an original application for a real estate salesperson license, which includes a fee for transcript evaluation;

(4)a fee of $34 for annual renewal of a real estate salesperson license;

(5)a fee of $61 for taking a license examination;

(6)a fee of $20 for filing a request for a license for each additional office or place of business;

(7)a fee of $20 for filing a request for a

§§535.101(b)(7)-.121(c)

license for a change of place of business change of name, return to active status or change of sponsoring broker;

(8)a fee of $20 for filing a request to replace a license lost or destroyed;

(9)a fee of $400 for filing an application for accreditation of an education program under Texas Occupations Code (the Act), §1101.301;

(10)a fee of $200 a year for operation of a real estate education program under the Act, §1101.301;

(11)a fee of $20 for preparing a license

history;

(12)a fee of $25 for the filing of an application for a moral character determination;

(13)a fee of $25 for the filing of an instructor application;

(14)a fee of $51 for the annual late renewal of a real estate salesperson or broker license for a person whose license has been expired 90 days or less;

(15)a fee of $68 for the annual late renewal of a real estate salesperson or broker license for a person whose license has been expired more than 90 days but less than one year;

(16)the fee charged by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for a national criminal history check in connection with a license renewal;

(17)a late reporting fee of $250 to reactivate a license under §535.92(f) of this chapter; and

(18)a fee of $20 for filing any application, renewal, change request, or other record on paper that a person may otherwise file with the commission electronically by accessing the commission's web site, entering the required information online, and paying the appropriate fee.

(c)Fees established by this section that are paid when an application is filed are not refundable once an application has been accepted for filing.

K. Place of Business

§535.112. Branch Office. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended November 8, 1977; May 28, 1984; June 22, 1990; May 27, 1998 and September 1, 2000. Ref: §1101.552] A broker shall apply for a branch office license if the broker maintains more than one place of business. A “place of business” means a place where the licensee meets with clients and customers to transact business. A license is required for each branch office maintained by the broker, and the license certificate for each branch office must display the address at which

the broker’s office is located.

§535.113. Display of Licenses. [Repealed

January 1, 2004.]

L. Termination of Salesperson's Association

with Sponsoring Broker

§535.121. Inactive License. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended November 14, 1979; July 20, 1981; March 19, 1990; January 4, 1993; May 27,1998; September 1, 2000 and July 4, 2005; Ref: §1101.367]

(a)The license of a salesperson immediately becomes inactive upon each of the following circumstances:

(1)the death of the salesperson’s sponsoring broker;

(2)the expiration, suspension, revocation or inactivation of the license of the sponsoring broker;

(3)if the sponsoring broker is a corporation, the dissolution of the corporation or the forfeiture of its charter, which also places the license of the entity on inactive status; or

(4)if the sponsoring broker is a corporation, limited liability company or partnership, the expiration, suspension, revocation or inactivation of the license of the person designated as broker, manager, or partner on the license certificate of the entity, which also places the license of the entity on inactive status.

(b)When the sponsorship of a salesperson ends, the broker shall immediately return the salesperson's license or copy thereof to the commission or otherwise notify the commission that the sponsorship has ended. The commission will no longer consider the broker to sponsor the salesperson upon receipt of the license or upon receipt of a written request from a new sponsoring broker to sponsor the salesperson, whichever first occurs. If the sponsorship has ended because the broker has terminated the sponsorship, the broker shall immediately so notify the salesperson in writing. If the sponsorship has ended because the salesperson has left the sponsorship, the salesperson shall immediately so notify the broker in writing. If the commission receives a request from a broker to sponsor a salesperson shown in the commission's records as sponsored by another

broker, the commission shall notify the former broker of the change in sponsorship.

(c) A salesperson’s license becomes inactive when a broker returns a salesperson's license to the commission until a new sponsorship form for the salesperson is mailed or delivered to the commission.

§535.122. Reactivation of License. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended June 1, 1990, March 1, 1991; March 19, 1991; June 18, 1991; May 27, 1998; September 1, 2000 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.367]

(a)When a salesperson whose license status is active enters the sponsorship of a broker, the salesperson and broker whose sponsorship the salesperson has entered shall notify the commission within 10 days, submit the appropriate fee, and request issuance of a new license reflecting the new association. The salesperson may act as the broker's salesperson from the date the notice and fee are mailed or delivered to the commission.

(b)When a salesperson whose license status is inactive enters the sponsorship of a broker and the salesperson is subject to mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements, the salesperson is not returned to active status until MCE requirements are satisfied and the commission has received documentation of course completion in a form satisfactory to the commission. A salesperson whose original application or renewal application was subject to educational requirements imposed by the Real Estate License Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101 (Act), §1101.358 and §1101.454, is not subject to MCE requirements as a condition of returning to active status during the term of the license issued from the original application or renewal application.

§535.123. Inactive Broker Status. [Adopted November 18, 1991; Amended November 23, 1993; May 27, 1998 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.366]

(a)For the purposes of this section, "inactive broker" means a licensed broker who does not sponsor salespersons or perform any activities for which a broker license is required and who has been placed on inactive status by the commission.

(b)To be placed on inactive status, a broker must do the following:

(1)apply to the commission on a form approved by the commission for that purpose or by a letter providing the broker's name, license number and current mailing address;

(2)confirm in writing that the broker has given any salespersons sponsored by the broker written notice of termination of sponsorship at least 30 days prior to filing the request for inactive status; and

(3)return the broker's current license certificate to the commission.

(c)To return to active status a broker who has been placed on inactive status must apply to the

§§535.122-.132(a)

commission for return to active status on a form approved by the commission, pay the appropriate fee and satisfy mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements specified in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act) §1101.455 and the Rules of the Texas Real Estate Commission.

(d) A broker who has been on inactive status may resume practice once the broker has satisfied MCE requirements, and the application for return to active status and appropriate fee have been mailed to or delivered to the commission.

M. Nonresidents

§535.131. Unlawful Conduct; Splitting Fees.

[Adopted January 1, 1976; amended March 11, 1981; May 27, 1998; October 1, 2000 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.651]

(a) The Real Estate License Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act) permits Texas-licensed brokers to cooperate with and share earned commissions with persons licensed as brokers in other states, but all negotiations physically conducted within Texas must be handled by Texas licensees.

(b)As used in §1101.651 of the Act, the word "state" refers to the states, territories, and possessions of the United States and any foreign country or governmental subdivision thereof.

(c)An unlicensed person may share in the income earned by a real estate brokerage operation if the person engages in no acts for which a license is required and does not lead the public to believe that the person is in the real estate brokerage business.

(d)If a member of a partnership or an officer of a corporation does not engage in acts for which a license is required, the person is not required to be licensed and may share in the income earned by the partnership or corporation.

(e)A resident of a foreign state that does not require a person to be licensed to act as a real estate broker is considered to be licensed as a broker for the purposes of the Act, §1101.651, if the person complies with the law of the foreign state and practices there as a real estate broker.

§535.132. Eligibility for Licensure. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended November 14, 1979; July 20, 1981, April 15, 1982; November 23, 1993; April 1, 1996; December 1, 1997; October 1, 2000 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §§1101.357, 360, .552]

(a) A person residing in another state may

§§535.132(a)-.141(d)

apply for a license under the provisions of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101, (the Act), Subchapter H and this section if the person:

(1) is licensed as a broker by the other state;

or

(2) was licensed as a Texas real estate salesperson or broker no more than six years prior to the filing of the application. The commission may waive examination, education and experience requirements if the applicant satisfies the conditions established by §535.61 of this title (relating to Waiver of Examinations) and by either §535.62 of this title (relating to Brokers: Education and Experience) or §535.63 of this title (relating to Salespersons: Education).

(b)A limited liability company created under the laws of another state or a corporation chartered in a state other than Texas may apply for a Texas real estate broker license if the entity meets one of the following requirements.

(1)The entity is licensed as a broker by the state in which it was created or chartered.

(2)The entity is licensed as a broker in a state in which it is permitted to engage in real estate brokerage business as a foreign limited liability company or corporation.

(3)The entity was created or chartered in a state that does not license limited liability companies or corporations, as the case may be, and the entity is lawfully engaged in the practice of real estate brokerage in another state and meets all other requirements for applications for a license in Texas.

(c)An individual licensed as a broker who subsequently moves to another state is not required to maintain an office in Texas unless the individual sponsors a salesperson in this state.

(d)The word "state" refers to the states, territories, and possessions of the United States and any foreign country or governmental subdivision thereof.

(e)To be eligible to receive a license and maintain an active license, a limited liability company or corporation created or chartered in another state must designate a person to act for it who meets the requirements of the Act, §1101.453, although the designated person is not required to be a resident of Texas. Foreign corporations and limited liability companies also must be permitted to engage in business in this state to receive a Texas real estate broker license.

§535.133. Consent to be Sued; Exception to Requirements. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended April 7, 1983 and May 27, 1998; Ref: §1101.360] A consent to service of legal process

must be filed with the commission by a broker or salesperson who moves to another state.

N. Suspension and Revocation of Licensure

§535.141. Initiation of Investigation.

[Adopted January 1, 1976; amended October 20, 1983; February 8, 1991; May 7, 1992; November 23, 1993; May 27, 1998; October 1, 2000; August 31, 2004 and March 23, 2008; Ref: §§1101.204, 1101.652]

(a)As used in this section, the term "licensee" includes a person licensed or registered under Texas Occupations Code Chapters 1101 and 1102 and the term "license" includes a registration issued by the commission.

(b)Except as authorized under Texas Government Code §402.031(b), the commission may not conduct an undercover or covert investigation of a person licensed under Texas Occupations Code Chapters 1101 or 1102. Notwithstanding §1101.204(d), the commission shall not disclose to any person who is the subject of an investigation of fraudulent activity that the activity has been reported pursuant to §402.031.

(c)A real estate broker is responsible for all acts and conduct performed by a real estate salesperson associated with or acting for the broker. A complaint which names a licensed real estate salesperson as the subject of the complaint but does not specifically name the salesperson's sponsoring broker, is a complaint against the broker sponsoring the salesperson at the time of any alleged violation for the limited purposes of determining the broker's involvement in any alleged violation and whether the broker fulfilled his or her professional responsibilities to the commission, members of the public, and his or her clients, provided the complaint concerns the conduct of the salesperson as an agent for the broker.

(d)The person designated by a licensed corporation, limited liability company or partnership to act as its officer, manager or partner is responsible for all acts and conduct as a real estate broker performed by or through the business entity. A complaint which names a corporation, limited liability company or partnership licensed as a broker as the subject of the complaint but which does not specifically name the designated officer, manager or partner of the business entity, is a complaint against the broker acting as the designated officer, manager or partner at the time of any alleged violation for the limited purposes of determining the designated person's involvement in any alleged violation and whether the designated person fulfilled his or her professional responsibilities to

the commission, members of the public, and his or her clients. A complaint which names a salesperson sponsored by a licensed corporation, limited liability company or partnership but which does not specifically name the designated person of the business entity is a complaint against the broker who was acting as designated person at the time of any alleged violation by the salesperson for the limited purposes of determining the designated person's involvement in any alleged violation and whether the designated person fulfilled his or her professional responsibilities to the commission, members of the public, and his or her clients, provided the complaint concerns the conduct of the salesperson as an agent of the business entity.

(e)Once a complaint has been filed with the commission, the commission has jurisdiction to consider, investigate and take action based on the complaint. Complaints may be withdrawn only with the consent of the commission.

(f)If information obtained by the commission in the course of the investigation of a complaint or as a result of an investigation authorized by the members of the commission constitutes reasonable cause to believe the respondents to the complaint may have committed other violations of the Act or a rule of the commission, no additional authorization shall be required for the commission to investigate and take appropriate action based on the information.

(g)If the commission suspends or revokes a license or probates an order of suspension or revocation against a licensee, the commission may monitor compliance with its order and initiate action based on the authority of the original complaint or original authorization by the members of the commission.

(h)A person whose license has been suspended may not during the period of any suspension:

(1)perform or attempt to perform any act for which a license is required by law or commission rule; or

(2)unless instructed otherwise by the principals to the transaction, continue to hold any funds received in a real estate transaction in which the person acted as a real estate broker or salesperson.

(i)A person whose license is subject to an order suspending the license must prior to the suspension taking effect:

(1)if the person is a real estate salesperson, notify his or her sponsoring broker in writing that his or her license will be suspended;

(2)if the person is a real estate broker, notify in writing any salespersons he or she sponsors, or any corporation, limited liability company or partnership for which the person is designated as

an officer, manager or partner that:

(A)his or her real estate broker license will be suspended; and,

(B)once the suspension is effective any salesperson he or she sponsors or who are sponsored by the corporation, limited liability company or partnership will not be authorized to engage in real estate brokerage unless the salespersons associate with another broker and file a change of sponsorship with the commission or the business entity designates a new person and files a change of designated officer, manager or partner with the commission;

(3)if the person has a contractual obligation to perform services for which a license is required by law or commission rule, notify in writing all other parties to the contract that the services cannot be performed due to the suspension;

(4)if the person is a real estate salesperson and is directly involved in any real estate transaction in which the salesperson acts as an agent, notify in writing all other parties, including principals and other real estate brokers, that the person cannot continue performing real estate brokerage services due to the suspension; and

(5)if the person holds money in trust in any transaction in which the person is acting as a real estate broker, remit such money in accordance with the instructions of the principals.

(j)A person may not assign to another licensee a personal service contract to which the person is a party and which obligates the person to perform acts for which a license is required without first obtaining the written consent of the other parties to the contract.

§535.143. Fraudulent Procurement of License. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended March 19, 1990; May 27, 1998; October 1, 2000 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.652(a)(2)] A violation of Texas Occupations Code, §1101.652 (a)(2), occurs if an applicant for licensure for the applicant or a salesperson omits material information or makes material misstatements, written or oral, in connection with the filing of an application to obtain licensure. This does not include an unintentional mistake of fact; however, a broker submitting an application as sponsor of a proposed salesperson has an affirmative duty to ascertain that all information called for in the application is given and is true, correct and complete, whether the application is filled out by the broker or the prospective salesperson.

§535.144. When Acquiring or Disposing of Own Property. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended March 22, 1978; August 6, 1980; 45 October 20, 1983; May 27, 1998; October 1,

§§535.144-.147(c)

2000 and May 24, 2006; Ref: §1101.652(a)(3)]

(a)For purposes of §1101.652(a)(3), Texas Occupations Code, "a person related to the license holder within the first degree by consanguinity" means a license holder's parent or child.

(b)A licensee, when engaging in a real estate transaction on his or her own behalf, on behalf of a business entity in which the licensee is more than a 10% owner, or on behalf of the licensee's spouse, parent, or child, is obligated to inform any person with whom the licensee deals that he or she is a licensed real estate broker or salesperson acting on his or her own behalf or on behalf of the licensee's spouse, parent, or child either by disclosure in any contract of sale or rental agreement, or by disclosure in any other writing given prior to entering into any contract of sales or rental agreement. A licensee shall not use the licensee's expertise to the disadvantage of a person with whom the licensee deals.

§535.145. False Promise. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended October 1, 2000; Ref: §1101.652(b)(5)] "False promise" includes both oral and written promises. The fact that a written contract between the parties to a real estate transaction does not recite a promise made by a real estate licensee to one of the parties or that a person did not detrimentally rely on the false promise will not prevent the commission from determining that a false promise was made. When deciding whether this section has been violated, neither a written contractual provision disclaiming oral representations nor the parol evidence rule shall prevent the commission from considering oral promises made by a licensee.

§535.146. Failure to Properly Account for Money; Commingling. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended August 7, 1977; May 27, 1998; and October 1, 2000; Ref: §1101.652(b)(9) & (10)]

(a) For the purposes of this section, “trust account” includes any trust, escrow, custodial, property management account, or other account in which a licensee holds money on behalf of another person.

(b)A licensee maintaining a trust account shall retain for a period of four years a documentary record of each deposit or withdrawal from the account.

(c)If a licensee accepts money belonging to others, the licensee holds such money in a fiduciary capacity. If any or all of the parties to a real estate transaction make demand for the money, the licensee must, within a reasonable time, properly account for or remit the money. "Reasonable time" means within 30 days after demand is made for an accounting or for

remittance of money belonging to others.

(d)"Properly account for or remit" means to pay the money to the party or parties entitled to the money if it can be reasonably determined to which party or parties the money should be paid. A licensee may pay the money into the registry of a court and interplead the parties if it cannot be reasonably determined to which party or parties the money should be paid.

(e)If, by written agreement of the parties to the real estate transaction, the licensee holding money belonging to others has the right to require the receipt, release and authorization in writing from all parties before paying the money to any party or parties, and if the licensee chooses to exercise that right, "properly account for or remit" means to furnish every party with a written statement requesting such receipt, release and authorization and detailing the amount and place of custody of the money and to pay the money to the party or parties in accordance with the receipts, releases and authorizations, if obtained. A licensee may pay the money into the registry of a court and interplead the parties if the receipts, releases and authorizations that the licensee has the right to require cannot be obtained.

(f)If escrow or other money belonging to another is held by a licensee, it must be maintained in a trust account. Placing such money in a licensee's operating account constitutes commingling.

(g)If a licensee acquires ownership of money in the licensee’s trust account that was originally held in trust for another, such money must be removed from the trust account within a reasonable time. "Reasonable time" in this context means within 30 days after the licensee acquires ownership of the money.

(h)Paying operating expenses or making withdrawals from a broker's trust account for any purpose other than proper disbursement of money held in trust is prima facie evidence of commingling money held in trust with the broker’s own funds.

§535.147. Splitting Fee with Unlicensed Person. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended March 11, 1981; October 1, 2000 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.652(b)(11)]

(a) "Any other state" means the states, territories, and possessions of the United States and any foreign country or governmental subdivision thereof.

(b)"Commission or fees" includes any form of compensation received for engaging in an act for which a license is required by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101.

(c)It is not a violation of this section for a

§§535.154(e)-.159(c)

person responsible for the operation of a real estate brokerage.

(f)A corporation or limited liability company licensed as a real estate broker may do business in the name in which it was chartered or registered by the Secretary of State.

(g)A licensee's advertising must not cause a member of the public to believe that a person not authorized to conduct real estate brokerage is personally engaged in real estate brokerage, provided that an advertisement of a trade, business, or assumed name does not constitute a holding out that a specific person is engaged in real estate brokerage.

(h)An advertisement placed where it is likely to attract the attention of passing motorists or pedestrians must contain language that clearly and conspicuously identifies as a real estate broker or agent the person publishing the advertisement. Advertisements in which the required language is not clear and conspicuous shall be deemed by the commission to be deceptive and likely to mislead the public for the purposes of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101(the Act), §1101.652(b)(23). The commission shall consider language as clear and conspicuous if it is in at least the same size of type or print as the largest telephone number in the advertisement, or it otherwise clearly and conspicuously identifies as a real estate broker or agent the person who published it. The commission shall consider advertisements not to be in compliance with this subsection if the required language is in print or type so small that it cannot be easily read from the street or sidewalk. This subsection does not apply to signs placed on real property listed for sale, rental or lease with the broker who has placed the sign, provided the signs otherwise comply with this section and the provisions of the Act regarding advertising.

(i)A real estate licensee placing an advertisement on the Internet, electronic bulletin board, or similar mechanism must include on each page on which the licensee’s advertisement appears any information required by this section and the disclosure relating to the advertiser’s status as a broker or agent required by §1101.652(b)(23) of the Act.

(j)A real estate licensee placing an advertisement by using any electronic communication, including but not limited to E- mail and E-mail discussion groups, must include in the communication and in any attachment which is an advertisement the information required by this section and the disclosure relating to the advertiser’s status as a broker or agent required by §1101.652(b)(23) of the Act.

(k)An advertisement containing an offer to rebate to a principal a portion of a licensee’s commission must disclose that payment of the

rebate is subject to the consent of the party the licensee represents in the transaction. If payment of the rebate is contingent upon a party’s use of a selected service provider, the advertisement also must contain a disclosure that payment of the rebate is subject to restrictions.

(l) If an advertisement offers, recommends or promotes the use of services of a real estate service provider other than the licensee and the licensee expects to receive compensation if a party uses those services, the advertisement must contain a disclosure that the licensee may receive compensation from the service provider.

§535.156. Dishonesty; Bad Faith; Untrustworthiness. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended May 24, 1976; June 9, 1981; May 27, 1998;and October 1, 2000; Ref: §1101.652(b)(2)]

(a)A licensee's relationship with the licensee’s principal is that of a fiduciary. A licensee shall convey to the principal all known information which would affect the principal's decision on whether or not to make, accept or reject offers; however, if the principal has agreed in writing that offers are not to be submitted after the principal has entered into a contract to buy, sell, rent, or lease a property, the licensee shall have no duty to submit offers to the principal after the principal has accepted an offer.

(b)The licensee must put the interest of the licensee’s principal above the licensee’s own interest. A licensee must deal honestly and fairly with all parties; however, the licensee represents only the principal and owes a duty of fidelity to such principal.

(c)A licensee has an affirmative duty to keep the principal informed at all times of significant information applicable to the transaction or transactions in which the licensee is acting as agent for the principal.

(d)A licensee has a duty to convey accurate information to members of the public with whom the licensee deals.

§535.159. Failing to Properly Deposit Escrow Monies. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended April 3, 1980; May 27, 1998; and October 1, 2000; Ref: §1101.652(b)(3)]

(a)A broker is not required to maintain a trust account unless the broker undertakes to accept monies belonging to others.

(b)When money is deposited with a broker to be held in escrow, the broker becomes the trustee accountable both to the party making the deposit and to the party for whose benefit said funds are deposited.

(c)It is up to principals to a transaction to

decide who shall act as escrow agent for them. A broker may not require the principals to a real estate transaction to designate the broker as their escrow agent.

(d)Nonresident brokers acting as real estate agents in Texas who accept money as escrow agents must deposit said funds in a custodial, trust or escrow account at a banking institution or title company authorized to do business in Texas.

(e)It is permissible for a broker to establish a savings account as an escrow account, provided said funds may be withdrawn at the appropriate time for disbursal. In the absence of an agreement to the contrary signed by the person depositing the funds with the broker, any interest earned on a savings account must be distributed to the person or persons who are the equitable owners of the funds during the time the interest is earned.

(f)A salesperson may not maintain an escrow account or act as an escrow agent. Any money received by a real estate salesperson which is to be held in trust pursuant to a real estate transaction must be delivered to the salesperson’s sponsoring broker to be deposited in accordance with the agreement of the principals in the transaction.

(g)A trust or escrow account may contain any money held by the real estate broker as a trustee for another pursuant to a real estate transaction in which the broker acted as agent, provided the principals have agreed that the broker is to act as trustee. A broker may, but is not required to, maintain separate trust accounts for earnest money deposits, security deposits received for the management of rental property, and for other money received in trust.

(h)If a broker maintains a trust or escrow account, that account must be identified as such.

(i)Unless a different time to deposit money is expressly agreed upon in writing by the principals to the transaction, "reasonable time" as used in this section means by the close of business of the second working day after execution of the contract by the principals. If all principals agree, a deposit may be delayed in accordance with their agreement.

(j)If money held in trust by a broker is held in a noninterest bearing account, the broker is not liable for interest or for charges on the funds unless there is an agreement to the contrary.

(k)If a broker accepts a check as escrow agent and later finds that such check has been dishonored by the bank on which it was drawn, the broker shall immediately notify all parties to the transaction.

§§535.159(c)-.181

§535.160. Failing to Properly Disburse Escrow Money. [Adopted January 1, 1976; amended May 27, 1998; Ref: §1101.652(b)(31)]

A broker shall make no disbursal from the broker’s escrow account except in accordance with the agreement under which the money was received.

§535.161. Failing to Provide Information.

[Adopted January 1, 1976; Ref: §1101.652(a)(6)]

As used in this section "reasonable time" means ten (10) working days from receipt of a request made by the commission.

O. Hearing on Suspension or Revocation of Licensure

§535.171. Hearing: Subpoenas and Fees.

[Adopted January 1, 1976; amended December 25, 1980 and August 31, 2004; Ref: §1101.157]

(a)Process may be served by an employee of the Texas Real Estate Commission if that person is designated by the commission.

(b)A witness or deponent who is not a party and who is subpoenaed or otherwise compelled to attend any hearing or proceeding to give a deposition or to produce books, records, papers, or other objects that may be necessary and proper for the purposes of the proceeding is entitled to receive mileage of $.20 a mile for going to and returning from the place of the hearing or where the deposition is taken, if the place is more than 25 miles from the person's place of residence and a fee of $20 a day for each day or part of a day the person is necessarily present as a witness or deponent.

(c)Pursuant to Texas Government Code §2001.177, a party seeking judicial review of a final decision of the Texas Real Estate Commission in a contested case shall pay all costs of preparing the original or certified copy of a record of the contested case proceedings.

P. Penalty for Unlicensed Activity

§535.181. Penalty. [Amended January 1, 1976; amended December 25, 1980; Ref: §1101.758] If the Texas Real Estate Commission receives information that indicates that a person has engaged in unlicensed activity, it shall conduct an investigation to determine if such information is accurate. If the information establishes evidence to indicate a probable violation of the Act, the commission may file a complaint, alleging unlicensed activity, with the appropriate law enforcement official or take such other action as may be necessary and proper.

§§535.191

Q. Administrative Penalties

§535.191. Schedule of Administrative

Penalties.

(a)The commission may suspend or revoke a license in addition to assessing the administrative penalties set forth in this section.

(b)The administrative penalties set forth in this section take into consideration all of the criteria listed in §1101.702(b) of the Texas Occupations Code.

(c)An administrative penalty range of $100 - $1,500 per violation per day may be assessed for violations of the following sections of the Texas Occupations and Administrative Codes:

(1)§1101.652(a)(8);

(2)§1101.652(b)(23);

(3)§1101.652(b)(29);

(4)22 TAC §535.92(f);

(5)22 TAC §535.91(c); and

(6)22 TAC §535.144.

(d)An administrative penalty range of $500 - $3,000 per violation per day may be assessed for violations of the following sections of the Texas Occupations Code:

(1)§1101.652(a)(7);

(2)§1101.652(b)(1);

(3)§1101.652(b)(7);

(4)§1101.652(b)(8);

(5)§1101.652(b)(10) - (12);

(6)§1101.652(b)(14);

(7)§1101.652(b)(22);

(8)§1101.652(b)(26) - (28);

(9)§1101.652(b)(30) - (31); and

(10)§1101.654(a).

(e)An administrative penalty range of $1,000

-$5,000 per violation per day may be assessed for violations of the following sections:

(1)§1101.351(a);

(2)§1101.652(a)(3);

(3)§1101.652(a)(9);

(4)§1101.652(b)(2) - (6);

(5)§1101.652(b)(9);

(6)§1101.652(b)(13);

(7)§1101.652(b)(15) - (17);

(8)§1101.652(b)(19) - (21);

(9)§1101.652(b)(24) - (25); and

(10)§1101.652(b)(32).

(f)The commission may assess an additional administrative penalty of up to two times that assessed under subsections (c), (d) and (e) of this section if a person has a history of previous violations.

§535.206. The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee. [Adopted January 1, 1992; amended January 1, 2001; August 31, 2004 and December 30, 2007]

(a)The functions of the committee are as prescribed by Texas Occupations Code, Section 1102.058.

(b)The committee consists of nine members appointed by the commission as follows:

(1)six members who have been engaged in the practice of real estate inspecting as professional inspectors for at least five years before the member’s appointment and who are actively engaged in that practice; and

(2)Three members who represent the public, who are not registered, certified, or licensed by an occupational or regulatory agency in the real estate industry.

(c)Appointments to the committee shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.

(d)Members of the committee serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of two inspector members and one public member expiring on February 1 of each odd-numbered year. Initial appointments may be made for terms shorter than six years in order to establish staggered terms. A member holds office until the member’s successor is appointed. If a vacancy occurs during a member’s term, the commission shall appoint a person to fill the unexpired term.

(e)At a regular meeting in February of each year, the committee shall elect from its members a presiding officer, assistant presiding officer, and secretary.

(f)The commission may remove a committee member if the member:

(1)does not have the qualifications required by subsection (b)(1);

(2)cannot discharge the member’s duties for a substantial part of the member’s term;

(3)is absent from more than half of the regularly scheduled commission meetings that the member is eligible to attend during each calendar year, unless the absence is excused by majority vote of the committee; or

(4)violates Texas Occupations Code, Chapter

1102.

(g)If the administrator of the commission has knowledge that a potential ground for removal exists, the administrator shall notify the presiding officer of the commission that the potential ground exists.

(h) The validity of an action of the committee is not affected by the fact that it is taken when a ground for removal of a committee member exists.

(i)The committee may meet at the call of a majority of its members. The committee shall meet at the call of the commission.

(j)A quorum of the committee consists of five members.

(k)The committee shall conduct its meetings in substantial compliance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

(l)The secretary of the committee, or in the secretary’s absence, a member designated by the chairman, shall prepare written minutes of each meeting and submit the minutes to the committee for approval and for filing with the commission.

(m)The committee shall submit semiannual reports to the commission on or before March 1 and September 1 of each year detailing the performance of the committee. The commission may require the report to be submitted on a form approved by the commission for that purpose. The committee may submit its written recommendations concerning the licensing and regulation of real estate inspectors to the commission at any time the committee deems appropriate. If the commission submits a rule to the committee for development, the chairman of the committee or the chairman’s designate shall report to the commission after each meeting at which the proposed rule is discussed on the committee’s consideration of the rule.

(n)The committee is automatically abolished on September 1, 2019 unless the commission subsequently establishes a different date.

§535.208. Application for a License.

[Adopted January 1, 1992; amended December 21, 1993; September 15, 1994; January 3, 1996; May 2, 1996; March 14, 1997; December 1, 1999; January 1, 2001; October 4, 2001 and December 24, 2001; April 1, 2003; August 31, 2004; November 15, 2005; December 30, 2007; September 14, 2008 and March 1, 2010.]

(a) A person desiring to be licensed shall file an application using forms prescribed by the commission. Prior to filing an application for a real estate inspector license or for a professional inspector license, the applicant must pay the required fee for evaluation of the education completed by the person and must obtain a written response from the commission showing the applicant meets current education requirements for the license. The commission may require an applicant to furnish materials

§§535.208(a)-.208(g)

such as source outlines, syllabi, course descriptions or official transcripts to verify course content or credit. The commission may not accept an application for filing if the application is materially incomplete or the application is not accompanied by the appropriate fee. The commission may not issue a license unless the applicant:

(1) pays the fee prescribed by the commission;

(2)satisfies any experience or education requirements established by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), or by these sections;

(3)successfully completes any qualifying examination required by Chapter 1102;

(4)provides all supporting documentation or information requested by the commission in connection with the application; and

(5)submits proof of professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), as required by Chapter 1102 and §535.211 of this title (relating to Professional Liability Insurance, or Any Other Insurance that Provides Coverage for Violations of Subchapter G of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102).

(b)A person who has previously satisfied applicable education requirements and obtained an evaluation from the commission also may apply for a license by accessing the commission's Internet web site, entering the required information on the application form and paying the appropriate fee in accordance with the instructions provided at the site by the commission. An applicant for an apprentice inspector license must provide the commission with the applicant's photograph and signature prior to issuance of a license certificate. An applicant for a real estate or professional inspector license must provide the commission with the applicant's signature prior to issuance of a license certificate. An applicant may provide the required item(s) prior to the submission of an electronic application.

(c)The Texas Real Estate Commission adopts by reference the following forms approved by the commission. These forms are published by and available from the Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188:

(1)Inspection Log, Form REI 1-3;

(2)Application for a License as an Apprentice Inspector, Form REI 2-7;

(3)Application for a License as a Real Estate

Inspector, Form REI 4-9;

(4)Application for a License as a Professional Inspector, Form REI 6-9; and

(5)Certificate of Insurance, Form REI 8-1.

(d)An application shall be considered void and subject to no further evaluation or processing when one of the following events occurs.

(1)The applicant fails to satisfy a required examination within six months from the date the application is accepted for filing.

(2)The applicant fails to provide information or documentation within 60 days after the commission makes written request for the information or documentation.

(3)The applicant fails to submit a required fee within 60 days after the commission makes written request for payment of the fee.

(4) The applicant fails to submit the required proof of professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102, within 60 days after the commission makes written request for proof of insurance.

(e) A person may not file an application while another application for the same license type is pending. An application submitted while another is pending will be returned to the applicant with no further processing.

(f)An application for a license may be denied if the commission determines that the applicant has failed to satisfy the commission as to the applicant's honesty, trustworthiness and integrity or if the applicant has been convicted of a criminal offense which is grounds for disapproval of an application under §541.1 of this title (relating to Criminal Offense Guidelines). Notice of the denial and any hearing on the denial shall be as provided in Texas Occupations Code, §1101. 364, and §533.34 of this title (relating to Disapproval of an Application for a License or Registration). For the purposes of this section, the term "late renewal" means an application for a license by a person who held the same type of license no more than two years prior to the filing of the application.

(g)Procuring or attempting to procure a license by fraud, misrepresentation or deceit or by making a material misstatement of fact in an application is grounds to deny the application or suspend or revoke the license. It is a violation of this section for a sponsoring professional inspector knowingly to make a false statement to the commission in an application for a license or late renewal of a license for an apprentice or a real estate inspector.

§535.210. Fees. [Adopted January 1, 1992; amended December 31, 1993; October 11, 1999; and October 4, 2001; September 1, 2002; December 29, 2005; May 24, 2006; December 30, 2007; November 17, 2008 and September 1, 2010.]

(a)The commission shall charge and collect the following fees:

(1)a fee of $35 for filing an original application for a license as an apprentice inspector;

(2)a fee of $75 for filing an original application for a license as a real estate inspector, which includes a fee for transcript evaluation;

(3)a fee of $90 for filing an original application for a license as a professional inspector, which includes a fee for transcript evaluation;

(4)a fee of $22 for the annual renewal of the license of an apprentice inspector;

(5)a fee of $27 for the annual renewal of the license of a real estate inspector;

(6)a fee of $27 for the annual renewal of the license of a professional inspector;

(7)a fee of $61 for taking a license examination;

(8)a fee of $20 for requesting a change of address or replacement of a lost or destroyed license certificate;

(9)a fee of $20 for requesting issuance of a license because of a change of name, return to active status, or change in sponsoring professional inspector;

(10)a fee of $100 for deposit in the real estate inspection recovery fund upon an applicant's successful completion of an examination; and

(11)a fee of $20 for filing any application, renewal, change request, or other record on paper that a person may otherwise file with the commission electronically by accessing the commission's web site, entering the required information online, and paying the appropriate fee.

(b)Fees established by this section which are paid when an application is filed are not refundable once an application has been accepted for filing.

§535.211. Professional Liability Insurance, or Any Other Insurance That Provides Coverage for Violations of Subchapter G of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102.

[Adopted December 30, 2007.]

§§535.210-.212(a)(1)(A)

(a)When an applicant for a license issued under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), has met all other licensing requirements, the commission shall notify the applicant that the applicant must provide proof of professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102, before the license will be issued.

(b)An inspector must maintain professional liability insurance coverage, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102, during the period the license is active.

(c)The applicant must provide proof of insurance on Certificate of Insurance form REI 8-

0signed by the applicant’s insurance agent.

(d)An inspector must notify the commission within 10 days of the cancellation or non- renewal of professional liability insurance coverage, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102.

(e)An inspector must retain sufficient records of professional liability insurance coverage, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102, to document to the commission continuous coverage for the preceding two year license period.

(f)The requirement that an inspector carry professional liability insurance or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102 does not require coverage for violations wherein providing such insurance coverage would be as against public policy.

§535.212. Education and Experience Requirements for a License. [Repealed January 1, 2001.]

§535.212. Education and Experience Requirements for an Inspector License.

[Adopted January 1, 2001; amended May 11, 2004; December 30, 2007 and September 13, 2009]

(a)Education requirements.

(1)To be accepted for inspector licensing, a course must meet each of the following requirements.

(A)The course was devoted to a subject listed in Texas Occupations Code, Section 1102.001(5) or this section; provided, however, no more than 30 cumulative classroom hours in course credit may be accepted by the commission for inspection-related business, legal, report writing or ethics courses.

§§535.212(a)(1)(B)-.212(a)(5)(B)(ix)

(B) The student was present in the classroom for the hours of credit granted by the course provider, or completed makeup in accordance with the requirements of the provider, or by applicable commission rule.

(C) Successful completion of a final examination or other form of final evaluation was a requirement for receiving credit from the provider.

(D)The daily course presentation did not exceed ten hours.

(E)The course was offered by one of the following providers:

(i)a school accredited by the commission;

(ii)a school accredited by an inspector regulatory agency of another state;

(iii)a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association, such as the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or its equivalent, or by a recognized national or international accrediting body;

(iv) a unit of federal, state or local government;

(v) a nationally recognized building, electrical, plumbing, mechanical or fire code organization;

(vi)a professional trade association; or

(vii)n entity whose courses are approved and regulated by an agency of this state.

(2)The term "code organization" means a non-profit organization whose members develop and advocate scientifically based codes and standards relating to one or more of the systems found in an improvement to real estate. The term "professional trade association" means a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors that is designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting the common interest of its members.

(3)Except as provided to the contrary by this section, the review and acceptance of correspondence courses or courses offered by alternative delivery systems such as computers will be conducted in the manner prescribed by §535.62 of this title (relating to Acceptable Courses of Study). Correspondence courses are acceptable only if offered by an accredited college or university.

(4)Providers may obtain prior approval of a

classroom course by submitting the following items to the commission:

(A) a course description, including the number of hours of credit to be awarded;

(B)a timed course outline;

(C)a copy of any textbook, course outline, syllabus or other written course material provided to students;

(D)a cross reference to the course material which demonstrates in a manner that is satisfactory to the commission where the required subject matter is covered in the course; and

(E)a copy of the written final examination which measures a student's mastery of the course.

(5)The following subjects shall be considered core real estate inspection courses for purposes of additional education requirements under subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section.

(A)Foundations, which shall include the following topics:

(i)site analysis/location;

(ii)grading;

(iii)foundations;

(iv)flat work;

(v)material;

(vi)foundation walls;

(vii)foundation drainage;

(viii)foundation waterproofing and damp

proofing;

(ix)columns; and

(x)under floor space.

(B)Roof Systems, which shall include the following topics:

(i)review - rafters, roof joist, ceiling joist, collar ties, knee walls, purling, trusses, wood I joist, roof sheathing, steel framing

(ii)roof water control;

(iii)skylights;

(iv)flashing;

(v)ventilation/non-ventilation;

(vi)attic access;

(vii)re-roofing;

(viii)slopes -step roof/low slope/near flat;

(ix)materials -asphalt, fiberglass, wood shake, wood shingle, slate, clay tile, concrete tile, fiber cement (asbestos cement, mineral

cement), metal, roll, build up, modified bitumen, synthetic rubber (EPDM), plastic (PVC); and

(x)valleys.

(C)Framing, which shall include the following topics:

(i)flashing;

(ii)wood frame - stick/balloon;

(iii)roof structure - rafters/trusses;

(iv)floor structure;

(v)porches/decks/steps/landings/

balconies;

(vi)doors;

(vii)ceilings;

(viii)interior walls;

(ix)stairways;

(x)guardrails/handrails/balusters;

(xi)fireplace/chimney;

(xii)sills/columns/beams/joist/sub-

flooring;

(xiii)wall systems/structure-headers;

(xiv)rammed earth;

(xv)straw bale;

(xvi)ICF;

(xvii)panelized;

(xviii)masonry;

(xix)wood I joist;

(xx)roof sheathing;

(xxi)wood wall;

(xxii)steel wall;

(xxiii)wood structural panel; and

(xxiv)conventional concrete.

(D)Electrical Systems, which shall include the following topics:

(i)general requirements, equipment location and clearances;

(ii)electrical definitions;

(iii)services;

(iv)branch circuit and feeder

requirements;

(v)wiring methods;

(vi)power and lights distribution;

(vii)devices and light fixtures; and

(viii)swimming pool.

§§535.212(a)(5)(B)(ix)-.212(a)(5)(I)

(E)HVAC Systems which shall include the following topics:

(i)heating;

(ii)ventilation;

(iii)air conditioning; and

(iv)evaporative coolers.

(F)Plumbing, which shall include the following topics:

(i)water supply systems;

(ii)fixtures;

(iii)drains;

(iv)vents;

(v)water heaters (gas and electric);

(vi)gas lines; and

(vii)hydro-therapy equipment.

(G)Building Enclosure, which shall include the following topics:

(i)review of foundation and roofing

relation;

(ii)review of flashing;

(iii)cladding;

(iv)windows/glazing;

(v)weather barriers;

(vi)vapor barriers;

(vii)insulation;

(viii)energy codes; and

(ix)ingress/egress.

(H)Appliances, which shall include the following topics:

(i)dishwasher;

(ii)food waste disposer;

(iii)kitchen exhaust hood;

(iv)range, cooktop, and ovens (electric

and gas);

(v)microwave cooking equipment;

(vi)trash compactor;

(vii)bathroom exhaust fan and heater;

(viii)whole house vacuum systems;

(ix)garage door operator;

(x)doorbell and chimes; and

(xi)dryer vents.

(I)Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics, which shall include the following topics:

§§535.212(a)(5)(I)(i)-.212(b)(1)(A)(iii)

(i)review of general principals;

(ii)inspection guidelines for structural

systems;

(iii)inspection guidelines for mechanical

systems;

(iv)inspection guidelines for electrical

systems;

(v)inspection guidelines for optional

systems;

(vi)ethics; and

(vii)legal.

(J)Standard Report Form/Report Writing, which shall include the following topics:

(i)required use of report form REI 7A-1 or REI 7-2;

(ii)allowed reproductions;

(iii)allowed changes;

(iv)exceptions from use of the form;

(v)review of typical comments for each heading in the report; and

(vi)review of generally accepted technical writing techniques.

(K)Other Approved Courses as they relate to real estate inspections, which shall include the following topics:

(i)Environmental Protection Agency;

(ii)Consumer Product Safety Commission; and

(iii)general business practices.

(6)A course approved to satisfy the additional education hours required by subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section in lieu of the number of real estate inspections required by Chapter 1102, Texas Occupations Code, and in lieu of the requirement that the applicant has previously been licensed for a specified time as an apprentice inspector or a real estate inspector must meet each of the following requirements.

(A)The course must cover one subject

only.

(B)The course must include all the topics as described for each subject under subsection (a)(5) of this section.

(C)The total hours of credit to be awarded for the course must be equal to the hours required for each subject under subsection (b)(1)

(B)of this section.

(D)A classroom course may include up to 10% of classroom time on site for appropriate

field work relevant to the course topic. Such field work may not be included as part of

correspondence or alternative delivery courses.

(7)A course that combines more than one subject into a composite course may be approved by the commission to satisfy core course education requirements under Texas Occupations Code §§1102.108 and 1102.109; however, composite courses will not satisfy the additional education requirements to obtain a professional inspector license under Texas Occupations Code §1102.111 and subsection (b) (1)(B) of the section.

(8)A course approved under subsection (a)

(5)of this section may not be used more than once by an applicant to satisfy education course requirements under Texas Occupations Code §§1102.108 and 1102.109, and additional education course requirements under Texas Occupations Code §1102.111.

(9)An applicant must not have completed more than one course with substantially the same course content within a two year period.

(b)Experience and additional education requirements.

(1)An applicant may substitute the following experience and additional education in lieu of the number of real estate inspections required by Chapter 1102, Texas Occupations Code, (Chapter 1102) and in lieu of the requirement that the applicant has previously been licensed for a specified time as an apprentice inspector or a real estate inspector:

(A)To meet the additional education and experience requirements in connection with an application for a license as a real estate inspector:

(i)Actively practicing licensed or registered architects, professional engineers, or engineer-in-trainings meet some of the education requirements by taking 8 hours in Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics and 8 hours in Standard Report Form/Report Writing from an approved education provider. They meet the other education requirements by virtue of meeting the education requirements for obtaining and maintaining their licenses as architects or engineers. They meet the experience requirement through two years of active practice under their respective license or registration.

(ii)Persons other than those described in clause (i) of this subparagraph may meet the education requirement by completing 30 additional education hours acceptable to the commission. The additional 30 education hours must include foundation systems, roof systems, framing, electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing, building enclosures, and appliances.

(iii)Persons other those described in clause (i) of this subparagraph may meet the

experience requirement by either completing an approved experience training module of at least 60 hours from an approved education provider; accompanying a licensed professional inspector who is approved to be a sponsor under Texas Occupations Code §1102.113 for at least 60 hours on actual inspections and related work and having that licensed professional inspector certify such attendance; or by having at least three years of personal experience in a field directly related to home inspecting, including but not limited to installing, servicing, repairing or maintaining the structural, mechanical and electrical systems found in improvements to real property. Documentation of experience must include two reference letters from persons other than the applicant who have personal knowledge of the applicant's occupation and work.

(B) To meet the additional education and experience requirements in connection with an application for a license as a professional inspector:

(i) Actively practicing licensed or registered architects, professional engineers, or engineer-in-trainings meet some of the education requirements by taking 8 hours in Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics and 8 hours in Standard Report Form/Report Writing from an approved education provider. They meet the other education requirements by virtue of meeting the education requirements for obtaining and maintaining their licenses as architects or engineers. They meet the experience requirement through three years of active practice under their respective license or registration.

(ii)Persons other than those described in clause (i) of this subparagraph may meet the education requirement by completing 200 additional education hours acceptable to the commission. The additional 200 education hours must include 30 hours in Foundation Systems,

25hours in Roof Systems, 30 hours in Framing,

25hours in Electrical Systems, 25 hours in HVAC Systems, 25 hours in plumbing, 12 hours in Building Enclosure, 6 hours in Appliances, 8 hours in Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics, 8 hours in Standard Report Form/Report Writing, and 6 hours of other approved courses.

(iii)Persons other those described in clause (i) of this subparagraph may meet the experience requirement by either completing an approved experience training module of at least

120hours from an approved education provider; accompanying a licensed professional inspector who is approved to be a sponsor under Texas Occupations Code §1102.113 for at least 120 hours on actual inspections and related work and having that licensed professional inspector certify such attendance; or by having at least five years

§§535.212(b)(1)(A)(iii)-(b)(2)(D)

of personal experience in a field directly related to home inspecting, including but not limited to installing, servicing, repairing or maintaining the structural, mechanical and electrical systems found in improvements to real property. Documentation of experience must be in verified form and from persons other than the applicant who have personal knowledge of the applicant's occupation and work.

(iv) Not more than two persons may accompany a licensed professional inspector who is qualified to be a sponsor under Texas Occupations Code §1102.113 on actual inspections to meet the experience requirement of §1102.111(a).

(C)Persons other than those described in subparagraphs (A)(i) and (B)(i) who, prior to September 1, 2007, were also enrolled in and attending an educational program that met the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, §1102.111 in effect prior to September 1, 2007, may meet the experience requirement by successfully completing that program if it includes in its curriculum applied teaching that includes an experience segment in a lab or simulator environment, actual on-site inspections, or a similar setting that provides direct experience with the inspection of those systems covered in the course and the use of the basic inspection-related tools. The education provider offering the program must confirm to commission staff, in writing, that the program includes such an experience segment. This subparagraph (C) of this paragraph expires automatically and may not be relied upon for any license application made after January 1, 2008.

(2)For the purpose of measuring the number of inspections required to receive a license or to sponsor apprentice inspectors or real estate inspectors, the commission will consider an improvement to real property to be any unit which is capable of being separately rented, leased or sold. Subject to the following restrictions, an inspection of an improvement to real property which includes the structural and equipment/systems of the unit will constitute a single inspection.

(A)Half credit will be given for an inspection limited to structural components only or to equipment/systems only.

(B)No more than 80% of the inspections for which experience credit is given may be limited to structural components only or to equipment/systems components only.

(C)A report which covers two or more improvements will be considered a single inspection.

(D)Real estate inspectors and professional

inspectors may not receive experience credit for an inspection performed by an apprentice under their supervision.

(E) The commission may not give experience credit to the same applicant or professional inspector for more than three complete or six partial inspections per day. No more than three applicants may receive credit for the inspection of the same unit within a 30 day period, and no more than three apprentice inspectors may receive credit for an inspection of the same unit on the same day.

(F) For the purpose of satisfying any requirement that a license be held for a period of time prior to an applicant's being eligible for a license as a real estate inspector or professional inspector, the commission may not give credit for periods in which a license was on inactive status. An applicant for a real estate inspector license must have been licensed on active status for a total of at least three months within the 12 month period prior to the filing of the application. An applicant for a professional inspector license must have been licensed on active status for a total of at least 12 months within the 24 month period prior to the filing of the application.

§535.213. Schools and Courses of Study in Real Estate Inspection. [Adopted September 15, 1994;amended January 1, 2001 and August 31, 2004]

(a)Except as provided by this section, the accreditation and regulation of schools and courses of study in real estate inspection and the approval of instructors will be conducted as required for real estate schools by §535.64 of this title (relating to Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Courses and Instructors, §535.65 of this title (relating to Changes in Ownership or Operation of School; Presentation of Courses, Advertising, and Records) and §535.66 of this title (relating to Payment of Annual Fee, Audits, Investigations and Enforcement Actions).

(b)A person applying for accreditation of a real estate inspection school shall use application forms approved by the commission . All courses must be approved by the commission prior to being offered for credit. A school accredited by the commission to offer real estate courses is not required to apply for an accreditation under this section to offer real estate inspection courses, provided all courses offered by the school have been approved by the commission. The commission may submit proposed courses to the Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee for review and recommendation.

§535.214. Examinations. [Adopted January 1, 1992; amended December 21, 1993; September 15, 1994; January 1, 2001; September 1, 2002

and August 31, 2004]

(a)There shall be an examination for a real estate inspector license and for a professional inspector license. Questions shall be used which will measure competency in the subject areas required for a license by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), and which will demonstrate an awareness of its provisions relating to inspectors. Each real estate inspector applicant must achieve a score of at least 70% on the examination. Each professional inspector applicant must achieve a score of at least 80% on the examination.

(b)Except as otherwise required by Chapter 1102 or this section, examinations shall be conducted as provided by §535.61 of this title (relating to Examinations).

§535.215. Inactive Inspector Status.

[Adopted September 15, 1994; amended November 19, 2001; August 31, 2004 and December 30, 2007]

(a) For the purposes of this section, an "inactive" inspector is a licensed professional inspector, real estate inspector, or apprentice inspector who is not authorized by law to engage in the business of performing real estate inspections as defined by Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), and who has been placed on inactive status by the commission for any of the following reasons:

(1) the written request of the inspector to be placed on inactive status;

(2) termination of sponsorship by a professional inspector;

(3)the death of the inspector's sponsoring professional inspector;

(4)the failure of the licensee to satisfy continuing education requirements for an active license;

(5)the expiration, suspension, or revocation of the license of the inspector's sponsoring professional inspector;

(6)the failure of the licensee to provide to the commission proof of professional liability insurance or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102; or

(7)the expiration or non-renewal of the inspector's professional liability insurance or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102.

(b)To be placed on inactive status by request, an inspector must do the following:

(1)apply to the commission on a form approved by the commission for that purpose, or

58by a letter containing the inspector's name,

license number and current mailing address;

(2)if the inspector is a licensed professional inspector, confirm in writing that the inspector has given any real estate inspectors or apprentice real estate inspectors sponsored by the inspector written notice that the inspector will no longer be their sponsor at least 30 days prior to filing the request for inactive status; and

(3)return the inspector's license certificate to the commission.

(c)A professional inspector who has been placed on inactive status may apply to the commission for return to active status on a form approved by the commission. A professional inspector may apply on a form approved by the commission to sponsor an apprentice inspector or real estate inspector who has been on inactive status. The commission may not return an inspector to active status or issue a license certificate to the inspector unless the inspector has completed within one year prior to the filing the request for return to active status any applicable continuing education courses required for renewal of the type of license held by the inspector or satisfied the continuing education requirements in order to obtain the current license.

(d)An inspector who applies to renew a license and pays the applicable fee but who fails to complete any continuing education required by the Act as a condition of license renewal shall be placed on inactive status by the commission. The inspector must comply with the requirements of this section in order to return to active status.

(e)If a professional inspector terminates the sponsorship of an apprentice real estate inspector or real estate inspector, the license of the apprentice inspector or real estate inspector becomes inactive. The apprentice real estate inspector or real estate inspector must be sponsored by a professional inspector in order to return to active status.

(f)Inactive inspectors may not perform inspections. Performance of inspections while on inactive status is grounds for disciplinary action against the inactive licensee. An professional inspector who has been placed on inactive status may not return to practice or sponsor apprentices or inspectors until the professional inspector has completed applicable continuing education requirements and, if the inspector was placed on inactive status at the inspector's own request, applied to the commission for return to active status and paid the applicable fee for the filing. An apprentice inspector or real estate inspector who has been placed on inactive status may return to practice if the inspector has completed applicable continuing education requirements, and the inspector's sponsoring

§§535.215(b)(1)-.216(c)

professional inspector has requested that the apprentice inspector or real estate inspector be returned to active status under the professional inspector's sponsorship in accordance with the provisions of this section. It is a violation of this section and grounds for disciplinary action against a professional inspector for the professional inspector to permit an inactive apprentice inspector or an inactive real estate inspector to perform inspections in association with, or on behalf of, the professional inspector.

§535.216. Renewal of License. [Adopted February 11, 1992; amended December 21, 1993; September 15, 1994; December 1, 1999 and January 1, 2001; October 4, 2001 and August 31, 2004; December 29, 2005 and December 30, 2007]

(a)A person licensed by the commission under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), may renew the license by timely filing the prescribed application for renewal, paying the appropriate fee to the commission and satisfying applicable continuing education requirements as required by Chapter 1102, and by §535.218 of this title (relating to Continuing Education), and providing to the commission proof of professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102, with a minimum limit of $100,000 per occurrence as required by 535.211 of this title (relating to Professional Liability Insurance) and §1102.203, Texas Occupations Code.

(b)The commission shall mail the prescribed renewal application form to the last known permanent mailing address of the licensee as shown in the commission's computerized records at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the license. Each licensee shall furnish a permanent mailing address to the commission and report all subsequent address changes within 10 days after a change of address. If a licensee fails to provide a permanent mailing address, the last known mailing address for the licensee will be deemed to be the licensee's permanent mailing address. An apprentice inspector or a real estate inspector must be sponsored by a licensed professional inspector in order to renew a license on an active status. It is the responsibility of the licensee to apply for renewal, and failure to receive a renewal application form does not relieve the licensee of the responsibility of applying for renewal.

(c)A licensee also may renew an unexpired license by accessing the commission’s Internet web site, entering the required information on the renewal application form, satisfying applicable education and professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides

§§535.216(c)-.220(a)

coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102 requirements and paying the appropriate fee in accordance with the instructions provided at the site by the commission.

(d) A licensee shall provide information requested by the commission in connection with an application to renew a license within 30 days after the commission requests the information. Failure to provide information requested by the commission in connection with a renewal application within the required time is grounds for disciplinary action under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.656.

(e)A renewal application is deemed filed when placed in the mail properly addressed to the commission with appropriate postage paid.

(f)An inspector licensed on active status who timely files a renewal application together with the applicable fee, evidence of completion of any required continuing education courses, and proof of professional liability insurance, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102, may continue to practice prior to receiving a new license certificate from the commission. If the license has expired and the licensee files an application to renew the license, the licensee may not practice until the new certificate is received.

§535.218. Continuing Education. [Adopted February 11, 1992; amended December 21, 1993; September 15, 1994; January 1, 2001; June 27, 2002 and May 11, 2004; December 29, 2005]

(a)Except as provided by this section, core real estate inspection courses submitted by professional inspectors or real estate inspectors to satisfy the requirements of Texas Occupations Code §1102.205 for continuing education must comply with §535.212 of this title (relating to Education and Experience Requirements for a License).

(b)Courses submitted for continuing education credit must be successfully completed during the term of the current license. The commission may not grant continuing education credit twice for the same course taken by a licensee within a 2- year period.

(c)Other than for correspondence courses or courses offered by alternative delivery methods, such as by computer, completion of a final examination is not required for a licensee to obtain continuing education credit for a course.

(d)A professional inspector or real estate inspector who fails to renew a license which was subject to continuing education requirements and who files an application for renewal within

one year after the previous license has expired must provide evidence satisfactory to the commission that the applicant has completed any continuing education that would have been required for renewal of the previous license. Continuing education courses submitted as part of the application must have been completed within a 24-month period prior to the filing of the application.

(e) In addition to the core real estate inspection courses defined in Texas Occupations Code, §1102.001(5) and §535.212 of this title, the commission also will accept a course related to wood-destroying insects, radon, asbestos, lead, or other hazardous substances to satisfy continuing education requirements.

(f)Licensed professional inspectors, real estate inspectors and apprentice inspectors may renew a license on inactive status. Professional inspectors and real estate inspectors are not required to complete continuing education courses as a condition of renewing a license on inactive status. Continuing education requirements for return to active status must be satisfied as provided by §535.215 of this title (relating to Inactive Inspector Status).

(g)providers may request continuing education credit be given to instructors of core real estate inspection courses subject to the following guidelines.

(1)The instructors may receive credit for only those portions of the course which they teach.

(2)The instructors may receive full course credit by attending all of the remainder of the course.

(h)The commission will accept a course approved to satisfy the additional education hours required by §535.212(b)(1)(B) of this title to satisfy continuing education requirements, provided that the licensee attends the entire course.

§535.220. Professional Conduct and Ethics.

[Adopted March 6, 1992; amended August 31, 2004 and August 28, 2006]

(a) The responsibility of those persons who engage in the business of performing independent inspections of improvements in real estate transactions imposes integrity beyond that of a person involved in ordinary commerce. Each inspector must maintain a high standard of professionalism, independence, objectivity and fairness while performing inspections in a real estate transaction. Each inspector licensee must also uphold, maintain, and improve the integrity, reputation, and practice of the home inspection profession.

(b)The relationship between an inspector and a client should at a minimum meet the following guidelines.

(1)In accepting employment as an inspector, the inspector should protect and promote the interest of his client to the best of his ability and knowledge, recognizing that the client has placed his trust and confidence in the inspector.

(2)In the interest of his client and his profession, the inspector should endeavor always to maintain and increase his level of knowledge regarding new developments in the field of inspection.

(3)The inspector should conduct his business in a manner that will assure his client of the inspector's independence from outside influence and interests that might compromise his ability to render a fair and impartial opinion regarding any inspection performed.

(c)The relationship between an inspector and the public should at a minimum meet the following guidelines.

(1)The inspector should deal with the general public at all times and in all manners in a method that is conducive to the promotion of professionalism, independence and fairness to himself, his business and the inspection industry.

(2)The inspector should attempt to assist the general public in recognizing and understanding the need for inspections, whether the inspector is selected to perform such inspection or not.

(3)The inspector accepts the duty of protecting the public against fraud, misrepresentation or unethical practices in the field of real estate inspections.

(d)The relationship of the inspector with another inspector should at a minimum meet the following guidelines.

(1)The inspector should bind himself to the duty of maintaining fairness and integrity in all dealings with other inspectors and other persons performing real estate inspections.

(2)The inspector should cooperate with other inspectors to insure the continued promotion of the high standards of the real estate inspection profession and pledges himself to the continued pursuit of increasing competence, fairness, education and knowledge necessary to achieve the confidence of the public.

(3)If an inspector has knowledge of a possible violation of the rules of the Texas Real Estate Commission or Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102, the inspector should report the possible violation to the Texas Real Estate Commission.

(e)An inspector shall comply with the following

§§535.220(b)-.220(e)(6)

requirements.

(1)An inspector shall not inspect properties under contingent arrangements whereby any compensation or future referrals are dependent on reported findings or on the closing or settlement of a property.

(2)In this section "settlement service@ means any service provided in connection with a prospective or actual settlement, and Asettlement service provider@ includes, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following:

(A)Federally related mortgage loan originator;

(B)Mortgage broker;

(C)Title service provider;

(D)Attorney;

(E)A person who prepares documents, including notarization, delivery, and recordation;

(F)Appraiser;

(G)Inspector;

(H)Settlement agent;

(I)A person who provides mortgage insurance services;

(J)A person who provides services involving hazard, flood, or other casualty insurance or homeowner's warranties;

(K)Real estate agent or broker; and

(L)A person who provides any other services for which a settlement service provider requires a borrower or seller to pay.

(3)An inspector shall not pay or receive a fee or other valuable consideration to or from any other settlement service provider for, but not limited to, the following:

(A)the referral of inspections;

(B)inclusion on a list of inspectors, preferred providers, or similar arrangements; or

(C)inclusion on lists of inspectors contingent on other financial agreements.

(4)An inspector shall not receive a fee or other valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, for referring services that are not settlement services or other products to the inspector’s client without the client’s consent.

(5)This section does not prohibit an inspector from paying or receiving a fee or other valuable consideration, such as to or from a contractor, for services actually rendered.

(6)An inspector shall not accept employment to repair, replace, maintain or upgrade systems or components of property

§§535.220(e)(6)-.223(a)(3)(A)

covered by the Standards of Practice under this Subchapter on which the inspector has performed an inspection under a real estate contract, lease, or exchange of real property within 12 months of the date of the inspection.

(7)Inspectors shall not disclose inspection results or client information without prior approval from the client. Inspectors, at their discretion, may disclose observed immediate safety hazards to occupants exposed to such hazards when feasible.

(8)This subsection does not prohibit an inspector from:

(A)engaging in legal promotional or educational activities to or with settlement service providers that are not conditioned on the referral of business; or

(B)purchasing advertising and promoting the inspector at market rates from any person in any publication, event or media.

(f)The inspector should make a reasonable attempt to cooperate with other professionals and related tradespersons at all times and in all manners in a method that is conducive to the promotion of professionalism, independence and fairness to himself, his business, and the inspection industry.

§535.221. Advertisements. [Adopted January 4, 1993; amended December 21, 1993; March 12, 1997 and January 1, 2001]

(a) For the purposes of this section advertisements include, but are not limited to, inspection reports, business cards, invoices, signs, all electronic media including E-mail and the Internet, purchased telephone directory displays and advertising by newspaper, radio and television.

(b)Advertisements by a person licensed as an inspector must contain the name or assumed business name of the licensee. The advertisements must also contain the license number of the person. If the person is licensed as a real estate inspector or as an apprentice inspector, the advertisements must also contain the following:

(1)the name or assumed name of the person’s sponsoring professional inspector; and

(2)a statement indicating that the person is sponsored by that professional inspector.

(c)A licensed professional inspector, real estate inspector or apprentice inspector shall immediately notify the commission in writing of the licensee’s use of an assumed name in the inspection business.

(d)The commission may reprimand or suspend or revoke the license of a person who is found to

have engaged in false or misleading advertising or to have failed to comply with provisions of this section.

§535.222. Inspection Reports. [Adopted

February 1, 2009.]

(a)For each inspection, the inspector shall:

(1)prepare a written inspection report noting observed deficiencies and other items required to be reported; and

(2)deliver the report within a reasonable period of time to the person for whom the inspection was performed.

(b)The inspection report shall include:

(1)the name and license number of the responsible inspector;

(2)the name and license number of the apprentice or real estate inspector, and the signature of the inspector's sponsoring professional inspector, if applicable;

(3)the address or other unique description of the property on each page of the report; and

(4)the client’s name.

§535.223. Standard Inspection Report Form. [Adopted February 1, 2009; amended September 13, 2009] The Texas Real Estate Commission adopts by reference Property Inspection Report Form REI 7A-1, approved by the Commission in 2008, and Property Inspection Report Form REI 7-2, approved by the Commission in 2009, for use in reporting inspection results. These documents are published by and available from the Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

(1) Except as provided by this section, inspections performed for a prospective buyer or prospective seller of one-to-four family residential property shall be reported on Form REI 7A-1 or Form REI 7-2 adopted by the Commission ("the standard form").

(2)Inspectors may reproduce the standard form by computer or from printed copies obtained from the Commission. Except as specifically permitted by this section, the inspector shall reproduce the text of the standard form verbatim and the spacing, length of blanks, borders, and placement of text on the page must appear to be identical to that in the printed version of the standard form.

(3)An inspector may make the following changes to the standard form:

(A)the inspector may delete the line for name, license number, and signature of the sponsoring inspector if the inspection was

performed solely by a professional inspector;

(B)the inspector may change the typeface, provided that fonts are no smaller than those used in the printed version of the standard form;

(C)the inspector may use legal sized (8- 1/2" by 14") paper;

(D)the inspector may add a cover page to the report form;

(E)the inspector may add footers to each page of the report except the first page and may add headers to each page of the report;

(F)the inspector may place the property identification and page number at either the top or bottom of the page;

(G)the inspector may add subheadings under items, provided that the numbering of the standard items remains consistent with the standard form;

(H)the inspector may list other items in the appropriate section of the form and additional captions, letters, and check boxes for those items;

(I)the inspector may delete inapplicable subsections of Section VI., Optional Systems, and re-letter any remaining subsections;

(J)the inspector may delete Subsection L., Other, of Section I., Structural Systems;

(K)the inspector may allocate such space in the "Additional Information Provided by the Inspector" section and in each of the spaces provided for comments for each inspected item as the inspector deems necessary or may attach additional pages of comments to the report; and

(L)if necessary to report the inspection of a part, component, or system not contained in the standard form, or space provided on the form is inadequate for a complete reporting of the inspection, the inspector may attach additional pages to the form. When providing comments or additional pages to report on items listed on a form, the inspector shall arrange the comments or additional pages to follow the sequence of the items listed in the form adopted by the commission.

(4)The inspector shall renumber the pages of the form to correspond with any changes made necessary due to adjusting the space for comments or adding additional items and shall number all pages of the report, including any addenda.

(5)The inspector shall indicate, by checking the appropriate boxes on the form, whether each item was inspected, not inspected, not present, and/or deficient and shall explain the findings in the appropriate space on the form.

§§535.223(a)(3)(A)-.224(b)(2)

(6) This section does not apply to the following:

(A)re-inspections of a property performed for the same client; or

(B)inspections performed for or required by a lender or governmental agency;

(C)inspections for which federal or state law requires use of a different report; or

(D)quality control construction inspections of new homes performed for builders, including phased construction inspections, inspections performed solely to determine compliance with building codes, warranty or underwriting requirements, or inspections required by a municipality and the builder or other entity requires use of a different report, and the first page of the report contains a notice either in bold or underlined reading substantially similar to the following: "This report was prepared for a builder or other entity in accordance with the builder's requirements. The report is not intended as a substitute for an inspection of the property by an inspector of the buyer's choice. Standard inspections performed by a Texas Real Estate Commission licensee and reported on Texas Real Estate Commission promulgated report forms may contain additional information a buyer should consider in making a decision to purchase." If a report form required for use by the builder or builder's employee does not contain the notice, the inspector may attach the notice to the first page of the report at the time the report is prepared by the inspector.

§535.224. Practice and Procedure. [Adopted January 1, 1992; amended December 21, 1993 and January 1, 2001; August 31, 2004 and December 30, 2007]

(a) Proceedings shall be conducted in the manner contemplated by §§533.1-533.8, §533.20, §§533.30-533.37 and §533.40 of this title (relating to Practice and Procedure) and with the Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001, et seq.

(b) In addition to the grounds for disciplinary action provided in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102 (Chapter 1102), a license of an inspector may be suspended or revoked by the commission if the inspector:

(1)fails to make good a check issued to the commission within 30 days after the commission had mailed a request for payment by certified mail to the inspector last known business address as reflected by the commission’s records;

(2)fails or refuses on demand to produce a document, book or record in his possession concerning a real estate inspection conducted by

§§535.224(b)(2)-.227(a)(4)

him for examination by the commission or its authorized agent;

(3)fails within 10 days to provide information requested by the commission or its authorized agent in the course of an investigation of a complaint;

(4)fails to maintain professional liability insurance coverage or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102 during the period a license is active; or

(5)fails to notify the commission within 10 days of the cancellation or non-renewal of professional liability insurance coverage, or any other insurance that provides coverage for violations of Subchapter G of Chapter 1102.

§535.226. Sponsorship of Apprentice Inspectors and Real Estate Inspectors.

[Adopted January 1, 1992; amended January 4, 1993; December 21, 1993; September 15, 1994 and January 1, 2001]

(a)An apprentice inspector may be sponsored by only one licensed professional inspector. A real estate inspector may be sponsored by only one licensed professional inspector.

(b)A change in sponsorship shall be reported to the commission immediately. If the sponsorship has ended because the professional inspector has terminated the sponsorship, the professional inspector shall immediately so notify the apprentice or real estate inspector in writing. If the sponsorship has ended because the apprentice inspector or real estate inspector has left the sponsorship, the apprentice inspector or real estate inspector shall immediately so notify the professional inspector in writing.

(c)An apprentice inspector or real estate inspector who is on active status may act for the new sponsoring professional inspector once the written notice has been placed in the mail to the commission along with the fee for reporting any change of address. If the apprentice or real estate inspector is on inactive status, the return to active status shall be subject to the requirements of §535.215 of this title (relating to Inactive Inspector Status).

(d)Written inspection reports must be signed by the apprentice inspector who performed the inspection and by the real estate inspector or professional inspector who directly supervised the inspection.

(e)A licensed professional inspector is responsible for the conduct of a licensed apprentice inspector sponsored by the professional inspector. At a minimum, a licensed professional inspector shall provide direct supervision of the apprentice inspector by the

following means:

(1)accompanying the apprentice inspector during the performance of all inspections performed by the apprentice or arranging for a real estate inspector to accompany the apprentice; and

(2)reviewing any written inspection report prepared by the apprentice inspector for compliance with the provisions of the standards of practice adopted by the commission.

(f)A licensed professional inspector is responsible for the conduct of a licensed real estate inspector sponsored by the professional inspector. A licensed professional inspector shall provide indirect supervision in a manner which protects the public when dealing with the real estate inspector and any licensed apprentice inspectors directly supervised by the real estate inspector. At a minimum a professional inspector shall provide indirect supervision of the real estate inspector by doing the following:

(1)communicating with the real estate inspector on a regular basis about the inspections being performed by the real estate inspector and

(2)reviewing on a regular basis written inspection reports prepared by the real estate inspector for compliance with the provisions of the standards of practice adopted by the commission.

§535.227. Standards of Practice: General

Provisions. [Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a)Definitions.

(1)Accessible--In the reasonable judgment of the inspector, capable of being approached, entered, or viewed without:

(A)undue hazard to the inspector;

(B)moving furnishings or large, heavy, or fragile objects;

(C)using specialized tools or procedures;

(D)disassembling items other than covers or panels intended to be removed for inspection;

(E)damaging property; or

(F)using a ladder for portions of the inspection other than the roof or attic space.

(2)Chapter 1102--Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102.

(3)Cosmetic--Related only to appearance or aesthetics, and not related to structural performance, operability, or water penetration.

(4)Deficiency--A condition that, in the inspector’s reasonable opinion, adversely and

materially affects the performance of a system or component or constitutes a hazard to life, limb, or property as specified by these standards of practice. General deficiencies include but are not limited to inoperability, material distress, water penetration, damage, deterioration, missing parts, and unsuitable installation.

(5)	Deficient--Reported		as	having	one	or
more deficiencies.
(6)	Inspect--To	look	at	and	examine

accessible items, parts, systems, or components and report observed deficiencies.

(7) Performance--Achievement of an operation, function, or configuration consistent with accepted industry practice.

(8) Report--To provide the inspector's opinions and findings on the standard inspection report form.

(9)Specialized tools--Tools such as thermal imaging equipment, moisture meters, gas leak detection equipment, environmental testing equipment and devices, elevation determination devices, and ladders capable of reaching surfaces over one story above ground surfaces.

(10)Specialized procedures--Procedures such as environmental testing, elevation measurement, and any method employing destructive testing that damages otherwise sound materials or finishes.

(11)Standards of practice--§§535.227 - 535.233 of this title.

(b)Scope.

(1)These standards of practice define the

minimum	levels	of	inspection	required	for
s u b s ta n t ia ll y		c o mp le t ed		r es id e n t ia l

improvements to real property up to four dwelling units. A real estate inspection is a limited visual survey and basic operation of the systems and components of a building using normal controls and does not require the use of specialized tools or procedures. The purpose of the inspection is to provide the client with information regarding the general condition of the residence at the time of inspection. The inspector may provide a higher level of inspection performance than required by these standards of practice and may inspect parts, components, and systems in addition to those described by the standards of practice.

(2) General Requirements. The inspector shall:

(A)operate fixed or installed equipment and appliances listed herein in at least one mode with ordinary controls at typical settings;

(B)visually inspect accessible systems or components from near proximity to the systems and components, and from the interior of the

§§535.227(a)(4)-.227(b)(3)(D)(iii)

attic and crawl spaces; and

(C) complete the standard inspection report form as required by §535.222 and §535.223 of this title.

(3) General limitations. The inspector is not required to:

(A)inspect:

(i)items other than those listed herein;

(ii)elevators;

(iii)detached structures, decks, docks, fences, or waterfront structures or equipment;

(iv)anything buried, hidden, latent, or

concealed; or

(v)automated or programmable control systems, automatic shut-off, photoelectric sensors, timers, clocks, metering devices, signal lights, lightning arrestor system, remote controls, security or data distribution systems, or solar panels;

(B)report:

(i) past repairs that appear to be effective and workmanlike;

(ii)cosmetic or aesthetic conditions; or

(iii)wear and tear from ordinary use;

(C) determine:

(i)insurab ility,				warranta bi lity,
suitability,	adequacy,		capacity,		reliability,
marketability,		operating		costs,	recalls,

counterfeit products, life expectancy, age, energy efficiency, vapor barriers, thermostatic operation, code compliance, utility sources, or manufacturer or regulatory requirements except as specifically required by these standards;

(ii)the presence or absence of pests, termites, or other wood-destroying insects or organisms;

(iii)the presence, absence, or risk of asbestos, lead-based paint, mold, mildew, or any other environmental hazard, environmental pathogen, carcinogen, toxin, mycotoxin, pollutant, fungal presence or activity, or poison; or

(iv)types of wood or preservative treatment and fastener compatibility;

(D)anticipate future events or conditions, including but not limited to:

(i)decay, deterioration, or damage that may occur after the inspection;

(ii)deficiencies from abuse, misuse or

lack of use,

(iii)changes in performance of any part, component, or system due to changes in

§§535.227(b)(3)(D)(ii)-.228(a)(3)(E)

use or occupancy;

(iv)the consequences of the inspection or its effects on current or future buyers and sellers;

(v)common household accidents, personal injury, or death;

(vi)the presence of water penetration

(s); or

(vii)future performance of any item;

(E)operate shut-off, safety, stop, pressure, or pressure-regulating valves or items requiring the use of codes, keys, combinations, or similar devices;

(F)designate conditions as safe;

(G)recommend or provide engineering, architectural, appraisal, mitigation, physical surveying, realty, or other specialist services;

(H)review historical records, installation instructions, repair plans, cost estimates, disclosure documents, or other reports;

(I)verify sizing, efficiency, or adequacy of the ground surface drainage system;

(J)operate recirculation or sump pumps;

(K)remedy conditions preventing inspection of any item;

(L)apply open flame to operate any appliance;

(M)turn on decommissioned equipment, systems, or utility services; or

(N)provide repair cost estimates, recommendations, or re-inspection services.

(4)In the event of a conflict between specific provisions and general provisions in the standards of practice, specific provisions shall take precedence.

(5)Departure.

(A)An inspector may depart from the standards of practice only if the requirements of subparagraph (B) are met, and:

(i)the inspector and client agree the item is not to be inspected;

(ii)the inspector is not qualified to inspect the item;

(iii)conditions beyond the control of the inspector reasonably prevent inspection of an item;

(iv)the item is a common element of a multi-family development and is not in physical contact with the unit being inspected, such as the foundation under another building or a part of the foundation under another unit in the same

building;
(v) t h e	in s p e c t o r	r e a s o n a b l y

determines that conditions or materials are hazardous to the health or safety of the inspector; or

(vi) the inspector reasonably determines that actions of the inspector may cause damage to the property.

(B) If a part, component, or system required for inspection is not inspected, the inspector shall:

(i) advise the client at the earliest practical opportunity that the part, component, or system will not be inspected; and

(ii) make an appropriate notation on the inspection report form, clearly stating the reason the part, component, or system was not inspected.

(C) If the inspector routinely departs from inspection of a part, system, or component, the earliest practical opportunity for the notice required by this subsection is the first contact with the prospect and the inspector has reason to believe that the property being inspected has the part, system, or component the inspector routinely does not inspect.

(c) Enforcement. Failure to comply with the standards of practice is grounds for disciplinary action as prescribed by Chapter 1102.

§535.228. Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Structural Systems. [Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a)Foundations. The inspector shall:

(1)inspect slab surfaces, foundation framing components, subflooring, and related structural components;

(2)report:

(A)the type of foundation(s); and

(B)the vantage point from which the crawl space was inspected; and

(3)generally report present and visible indications used to render the opinion of adverse performance, such as:

(A)open or offset concrete cracks;

(B)binding, out-of-square, non-latching, warped, or twisted doors or frames;

(C)framing or frieze board separations;

(D) out-of-square wall openings or separations at wall openings or between the cladding and window/door frames;

(E)sloping floors, countertops, cabinet doors, or window/door casings;

(F)wall, floor, or ceiling cracks;

(G)rotating, buckling, cracking, or deflecting masonry cladding;

(H)separation of walls from ceilings or floors; and

(I)soil erosion, subsidence or shrinkage adjacent to the foundation and differential movement of abutting flatwork such as walkways, driveways, and patios;

(4)report as Deficient:

(A)exposed or damaged reinforcement;

(B)a crawl space that does not appear to be adequately ventilated;

(C)crawl space drainage that does not appear to be adequate;

(D)deteriorated materials;

(E)damaged beams, joists, bridging, blocking, piers, posts, pilings, or subfloor;

(F)non-supporting piers, posts, pilings, columns, beams, sills, or joists; and

(G)damaged retaining walls related to foundation performance; and

(5)render a written opinion as to the performance of the foundation.

(b)Specific limitations for foundations. The inspector is not required to:

(1)enter a crawlspace or any area where headroom is less than 18 inches or the access opening is less than 24 inches wide and 18 inches high;

(2)provide an exhaustive list of indicators of possible adverse performance; or

(3)inspect retaining walls not related to foundation performance.

(c)Grading and drainage. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)improper or inadequate grading around the foundation (including flatwork);

(2)erosion;

(3)water ponding; and

(4)deficiencies in installed gutter and downspout systems.

(d)Specific limitations for grading and drainage. The inspector is not required to:

(1)inspect flatwork or detention/retention ponds (except as related to slope and drainage);

(2)determine area hydrology or the presence of underground water; or

(3)determine the efficiency or operation of

§§535.228(a)(3)(F)-.228(g)(1)(C)

underground or surface drainage systems.

(e) Roof covering materials. The inspector shall:

(1)inspect the roof covering materials from the surface of the roof;

(2)report:

(A)type of roof covering(s);

(B)vantage point from where the roof was inspected

(C)any levels or surfaces that were not

accessed;

(D)evidence of previous repairs to roof covering materials, flashing details, skylights, and other roof penetrations; and

(E)evidence of water penetration; and

(3)report as Deficient:

(A)a roof covering that is not appropriate for the slope of the roof;

(B)deficiencies in:

(i)fastening of roof covering material, as determined by a random sampling;

(ii)roof covering materials;

(iii)flashing details;

(iv)skylights; and

(v) other roof penetrations.

(f)Specific limitations for roof covering. The inspector is not required to:

(1)determine the remaining life expectancy of the roof covering;

(2)inspect the roof from the roof level if, in the inspector’s reasonable judgment, the inspector cannot safely reach or stay on the roof or significant damage to the roof covering materials may result from walking on the roof;

(3)determine the number of layers of roof covering material;

(4)identify latent hail damage; or

(5)provide an exhaustive list of locations of water penetrations or previous repairs.

(g)Roof structure and attic. The inspector shall:

(1)report:

(A)the vantage point from which the attic space was inspected;

(B)the presence of and approximate average depth of attic insulation and thickness of vertical insulation, when visible; and

(C)evidence of water penetration; and

§§535.228(g)(2)-.228(o)(2)

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)attic space that does not appear to be adequately ventilated;

(B)deficiencies in installed framing members and decking;

(C)deflections or depressions in the roof surface as related to the adverse performance of the framing and the roof deck;

(D)missing insulation;

(E)deficiencies in attic access ladder and access opening; and

(F)deficiencies in attic ventilators.

(h)Specific limitations for roof structure and attic. The inspector is not required to:

(1)enter attics or unfinished spaces where openings are less than 22 inches by 30 inches or headroom is less than 30 inches;

(2)operate powered ventilators; or

(3)provide an exhaustive list of locations of water penetrations.

(i)Interior walls, ceilings, floors, and doors. The inspector shall:

(1)report evidence of water penetration; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)doors and hardware that do not operate properly;

(B)deficiencies related to structural performance or water penetration; and

(C)lack of fire separation between the garage and the residence and its attic space.

(j)Specific limitation for interior walls, doors, ceilings, and floors. The inspector is not required to:

(1)report cosmetic damage or the condition of floor, wall, or ceiling coverings; paints, stains, or other surface coatings; cabinets; or countertops, or

(2)provide an exhaustive list of locations of water penetrations.

(k)Exterior walls, doors, and windows. The inspector shall:

(1)report evidence of water penetration; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)the lack of functional emergency escape and rescue openings in all sleeping rooms;

(B)the lack of a solid wood door not less than 1-3/8 inches in thickness, a solid or honeycomb core steel door not less than 1-3/8 inches thick, or a 20-minute fire-rated door

between the residence and an attached garage;

(C)missing or damaged screens;

(D)deficiencies related to structural performance or water penetration; and

(E)deficiencies in:

(i)claddings;

(ii)water resistant materials and

coatings;

(iii)flashing details and terminations;

(iv)the condition and operation of exterior doors, garage doors, and hardware; and

(v)window operation and components.

(l)Specific limitations for exterior walls, doors, and windows. The inspector is not required to:

(1)report the condition or presence of awnings, shutters, security devices, or systems;

(2)determine the cosmetic condition of paints, stains, or other surface coatings; or

(3)operate a lock if the key is not available.

(m)Exterior and interior glazing. The inspector shall:

(1)inspect the window and door glazing; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)insulated windows that are obviously fogged or display other evidence of broken seals;

(B)deficiencies in glazing, weather stripping, and glazing compound in windows and exterior doors; and

(C)the absence of safety glass in hazardous locations.

(n)Specific limitation for exterior and interior glazing. The inspector is not required to:

(1)exhaustively observe insulated windows for evidence of broken seals;

(2)exhaustively observe glazing for identifying labels; or

(3)identify specific locations of damage.

(o)Interior and exterior stairways. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)spacing between intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails for steps, stairways, guards, and railings that permit passage of an object greater than 4 inches in diameter, except that on the open side of the staircase treads, spheres less than 4-3/8 inches in diameter may pass through the guard rail balusters or spindles; and

(2)deficiencies in steps, stairways, landings, guardrails, and handrails.

(p)Specific limitation for stairways. The

inspector is not required to exhaustively measure every stairway component.

(q) Fireplace and chimney. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)built-up creosote in visible areas of the firebox and flue;

(2)the presence of combustible materials in near proximity to the firebox opening;

(3)the absence of fireblocking at the attic penetration of the chimney flue, where accessible;

(4)an inoperative circulating fan; and

(5)deficiencies in the:

(A)damper;

(B)lintel, hearth, hearth extension, and

firebox;

(C)gas log lighter valve and location; (D)combustion air vents; and

(E)chimney structure, termination, coping, crown, caps, and spark arrestor.

(r)Specific limitations for fireplace and chimney. The inspector is not required to:

(1)verify the integrity of the flue;

(2)perform a chimney smoke test; or

(3)determine the adequacy of the draft.

(s)Porches, Balconies, Decks, and Carports. The inspector shall:

(1)inspect balconies, attached carports, and attached porches and abutting porches, decks, and balconies that are used for ingress and egress; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)on decks 30 inches or higher above the adjacent grade, spacings between intermediate balusters, spindles, or rails that permit passage of an object greater than four inches in diameter;

(B)deficiencies in visible footings, piers, posts, pilings, beams, joists, decking, water proofing at interfaces, flashing, surface coverings, and attachment points of porches, decks, balconies, and carports; and

(C)deficiencies in, or absence of required, guardrails and handrails.

(t) Specific limitation for porches, balconies, decks, and carports. The inspector is not required to:

(1)exhaustively measure the porch, balcony, deck, or attached carport components; or

(2)enter any area where headroom is less

§§535.228(p)-.229(a)(16)

than 18 inches or the access opening is less than 24 inches wide and 18 inches high.

§535.229. Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Electrical Systems. [Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a) Service entrance and panels. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)a drop, weatherhead, or mast that is not securely fastened to the structure;

(2)the lack of a grounding electrode system;

(3)the lack of a grounding electrode conductor;

(4)the lack of a secure connection to the grounding electrode system;

(5)deficiencies in the insulation of the service entrance conductors, drip loop, separation of conductors at weatherheads, and clearances;

(6)electrical cabinets, gutters, meter cans, and panel boards that:

(A)are not secured to the structure;

(B)are not appropriate for their location;

(C)have deficiencies in clearances and accessibility;

(D)are missing knockouts; or

(E)are not bonded and grounded;

(7)cabinets, disconnects, cutout boxes, and panel boards that do not have dead fronts secured in place with proper fasteners;

(8)conductors not protected from the edges of electrical cabinets, gutters, or cutout boxes;

(9)trip ties not installed on 240 volt circuits;

(10)deficiencies in the type and condition of the wiring in the cutout boxes, cabinets, or gutters;

(11)deficiencies in the compatibility of overcurrent devices and conductors;

(12)deficiencies in the overcurrent device and circuit for labeled and listed 240 volt appliances;

(13)a panel that is installed in a hazardous location, such as a clothes closet, a bathroom, where there are corrosive or easily ignitable materials, or where the panel is exposed to physical damage;

(14)the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum-approved devices;

(15)the absence of anti-oxidants on aluminum conductor terminations;

(16)the lack of a main disconnecting means;

§§535.229(a)(17)-.229(d)

(17)the lack of arc-fault circuit interrupting devices serving family rooms, dining rooms, living rooms, parlors, libraries, dens, bedrooms, sunrooms, recreations rooms, closets, hallways, or similar rooms or areas; and

(18)failure of operation of installed arc-fault circuit interrupter devices.

(b)Specific limitations for service entrance and panels. The inspector is not required to:

(1)determine present or future sufficiency of service capacity amperage, voltage, or the capacity of the electrical system;

(2)test arc-fault circuit interrupter devices when the property is occupied or damage to personal property may result, in the inspector’s reasonable judgment;

(3)report the lack of arc-fault circuit interrupter protection when the circuits are in conduit;

(4)conduct voltage drop calculations;

(5)determine the accuracy of overcurrent device labeling;

(6)remove covers where hazardous as judged by the inspector;

(7)verify the effectiveness of overcurrent devices; or

(8)operate overcurrent devices.

(c)Branch circuits, connected devices, and fixtures. The inspector shall:

(1)report the type of branch circuit conductors;

(2)manually test the accessible smoke alarms by use of the manufacturer’s approved test or by the use of canned smoke; and

(3)report as Deficient:

(A)the lack of ground-fault circuit interrupter protection in all:

(i)bathroom receptacles;

(ii)garage receptacles;

(iii)outdoor receptacles;

(iv)crawl space receptacles;

(v)unfinished basement receptacles;

(vi)kitchen countertop receptacles; and

(vii)laundry, utility, and wet bar sink receptacles located within 6 feet of the outside edge of a laundry, utility, or wet bar sink; and

(B) the failure of operation of ground-fault circuit interrupter protection devices;

(C) receptacles that:

(i)are damaged;

(ii)are inoperative;

(iii)have incorrect polarity;

(iv)are not grounded, if applicable;

(v)display evidence of arcing or excessive heat;

(vi)are not securely mounted; or (vii)have missing or damaged covers;

(D)switches that:

(i)are damaged;

(ii)are inoperative;

(iii)display evidence of arcing or excessive heat;

(iv)are not securely mounted; or

(v)have missing or damaged covers;

(E)deficiencies in or absences of conduit, where applicable;

(F)appliances and metal pipes that are not bonded or grounded;

(G)deficiencies in wiring, wiring terminations, junctions, junction boxes, devices, and fixtures, including improper location;

(H)the lack of equipment disconnects;

(I)the absence of appropriate connections, such as copper/aluminum approved devices, if branch circuit aluminum conductors are discovered in the main or sub-panel based on a random sampling of accessible receptacles and switches;

(J)improper use of extension cords;

(K)deficiencies in smoke alarms that are not connected to a central alarm system; and

(L)the lack of smoke alarms:

(i)in each sleeping room;

(ii)outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the sleeping rooms; and

(iii)on each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but excluding crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics (in dwellings with split levels and without an intervening door between the levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level and the adjacent lower level shall suffice provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level).

(d)Specific limitations for branch circuits, connected devices, and fixtures. The inspector is not required to:

(1)inspect low voltage wiring;

(2)disassemble mechanical appliances;

(3)verify the effectiveness of smoke alarms;

(4)verify interconnectivity of smoke alarms

(5)activate smoke alarms that are being actively monitored or require the use of codes; or

(6)verify that smoke alarms are suitable for the hearing-impaired.

§535.230. Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems.

[Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a)Heating equipment. The inspector shall:

(1)report:

(A)the type of heating system(s); and

(B)the energy source(s);

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)an inoperative unit;

(B)deficiencies in the controls and operating components of the system;

(C)the lack of protection from physical

damage;

(D)burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches, and thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation, unless the unit is listed for garage floor installation;

(E)inappropriate location;

(F)inadequate access and clearances;

(G)deficiencies in mounting and operation of window units; and

(H)deficiencies in thermostats;

(3)in electric units, report as Deficient deficiencies in:

(A)operation of heating elements; and

(B)condition of conductors; and

(4)in gas units, report as Deficient:

(A)gas leaks;

(B)the presence of forced air in the burner compartment;

(C)flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame color, or excessive scale buildup;

(D)the lack of a gas shut-off valve; and (E)deficiencies in:

(i) conditioned, combustion, and dilution

§§535.229(d)(1)-.230(c)(2)(C)

air;

(ii)gas shut-off valves and locations;

(iii)gas connector materials and connections; and

(iv)the vent pipe, draft hood, draft, proximity to combustibles, and vent termination point and clearances.

(b)Cooling equipment other than evaporative coolers. The inspector shall:

(1)report the type of system(s); and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)inoperative unit(s);

(B)inadequate cooling as demonstrated by its performance in the reasonable judgment of the inspector;

(C)inadequate access and clearances;

(D)noticeable vibration of the blower fan or condensing fan;

(E)deficiencies in the condensate drain and auxiliary/secondary pan and drain system;

(F)water in the auxiliary/secondary drain

pan;

(G)a primary drain pipe that terminates in a sewer vent;

(H)missing or deficient refrigerant pipe insulation;

(I) dirty evaporator or condensing coils, where accessible;

(J) damaged casings on the coils;

(K)a condensing unit lacking adequate clearances or air circulation or that has deficiencies in the condition of fins, location, levelness, or elevation above ground surfaces;

(L)deficiencies in mounting and operation of window or wall units; and

(M)deficiencies in thermostats.

(c)Evaporative coolers. The inspector shall:

(1)report:

(A)type of system(s) (one- or two-speed);

(B)the type of water supply line; and

(C)winterized units that are drained and shut down; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)inoperative units;

(B)inadequate access and clearances;

(C)corrosive and mineral build-up or rust damage/decay at the pump, louvered panels, water trays, exterior housing, or the roof frame;

§§535.230(c)(2)(K)-.231(a)(2)(H)

(D)less than a one-inch air gap between the water discharge at the float and water level in the reservoir;

(E)corrosion, decay, or rust on the pulleys of the motor or blower;

(F)the lack of a damper; and (G)deficiencies in the:

(i)function of the pump;

(ii)interior housing, the spider tubes, tube clips, bleeder system;

(iii)blower and bearings;

(iv)float bracket;

(v)fan belt;

(vi)evaporative pad(s);

(vii)installation and condition of the legs on the roof rails and fasteners to the roof structure and the unit;

(viii)roof jack; and

(ix)thermostats.

(d)Duct system, chases, and vents. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)damaged ducting or insulation, improper material, or improper routing of ducts;

(2)the absence of air flow at accessible supply registers in the habitable areas of the structure;

(3)improper or inadequate clearance from the earth; and

(4)deficiencies in:

(A)duct fans; (B)filters;

(C)grills or registers;

(D)the location of return air openings; and

(E) gas piping, sewer vents, electrical wiring, or junction boxes in the duct system, plenum(s), and chase(s).

(e) Specific limitations for the heating equipment, cooling equipment, duct system, chases, and vents. The inspector is not required to:

(1)program digital thermostats or controls;

(2)inspect:

(A)for pressure of the system refrigerant, type of refrigerant, or refrigerant leaks;

(B)winterized evaporative coolers; or

(C)humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, motorized dampers, electronic air filters, multi- stage controllers, sequencers, heat reclaimers,

wood burning stoves, boilers, oil-fired units, supplemental heating appliances, de-icing provisions, or reversing valves;

(3)operate:

(A)setback features on thermostats or

controls;

(B)cooling equipment when the outdoor temperature is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit;

(C)radiant heaters, steam heat systems, or unvented gas-fired heating appliances; or

(D)heat pumps when temperatures may damage equipment;

(4)verify:

(A)compatibility of components;

(B)the accuracy of thermostats; or

(C)the integrity of the heat exchanger; or

(5)determine:

(A)sizing, efficiency, or adequacy of the

system;

(B)uniformity of the supply of conditioned air to the various parts of the structure; or

(C)types of materials contained in insulation.

§535.231. Standards of Practice: Minimum

Inspection Requirements for Plumbing Systems. [Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a)Plumbing systems. The inspector shall:

(1)report:

(A)static water pressure;

(B)location of water meter; and (C)location of main water supply valve; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)the presence of active leaks;

(B)the lack of fixture shut-off valves;

(C)the lack of dielectric unions, when applicable;

(D)the lack of back-flow devices, anti- siphon devices, or air gaps at the flow end of fixtures;

(E)water pressure below 40 psi or above 80 psi static;

(F)the lack of a pressure reducing valve when the water pressure exceeds 80 PSI;

(G)the lack of an expansion tank at the water heater(s) when a pressure reducing valve is in place at the water supply line/system; and

(H)deficiencies in:

(i)water supply pipes and waste pipes;

(ii) the installation and termination of the vent system;

(iii)the operation of fixtures and faucets not connected to an appliance;

(iv)water supply, as determined by viewing functional flow in two fixtures operated simultaneously;

(v) functional drainage at fixtures; (vi)orientation of hot and cold faucets;

(vii)installed mechanical drain stops;

(viii)installation, condition, and operation of commodes;

(ix)fixtures, showers, tubs, and enclosures; and

(x) the condition of the gas distribution system.

(b) Specific limitations for plumbing systems. The inspector is not required to:

(1)operate any main, branch, or shut-off valves;

(2)operate or inspect sump pumps or waste ejector pumps;

(3)inspect:

(A)any system that has been winterized, shut down or otherwise secured;

(B)circulating pumps, free-standing appliances, solar water heating systems, water- conditioning equipment, filter systems, water mains, private water supply systems, water wells, pressure tanks, sprinkler systems, swimming pools, or fire sprinkler systems;

(C)the inaccessible gas supply system for leaks;

(D)for sewer clean-outs; or

(E)for the presence or operation of private sewage disposal systems;

(4)determine:

(A)quality, potability, or volume of the water supply; or

(B)effectiveness of backflow or anti- siphon devices; or

(5)verify the functionality of clothes washing drains or floor drains.

(c)Water heaters. The inspector shall:

(1)report the energy source;

(2)report the capacity of the unit(s); (3)report as Deficient:

(A)inoperative unit(s);

§§535.231(a)(2)(H)(i)-.231(c)(5)(E)(iii)

(B)leaking or corroded fittings or tank(s); (C)broken or missing parts or controls; (D)the lack of a cold water shut-off valve;

(E) if applicable, the lack of a pan and drain system and the improper termination of the pan drain line;

(F) an unsafe location;

(G)burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements, switches, or thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above the lowest garage floor elevation, unless the unit is listed for garage floor installation;

(H)inappropriate location;

(I)inadequate access and clearances;

(J)the lack of protection from physical damage;

(K)a temperature and pressure relief valve

that:

(i)does not operate manually;

(ii)leaks;

(iii)is damaged;

(iv)cannot be tested due to obstructions;

(v)is corroded; or

(vi)is improperly located; and

(L)temperature and pressure relief valve discharge piping that:

(i)lacks gravity drainage;

(ii)is improperly sized;

(iii)has inadequate material; or

(iv)lacks proper termination;

(4) in electric units, report as Deficient deficiencies in:

(A)operation of heating elements; and

(B)condition of conductors; and

(5)in gas units, report as Deficient:

(A)gas leaks;

(B)lack of burner shield(s);

(C)flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame color, or excessive scale build- up;

(D)the lack of a gas shut-off valve; and

(E)deficiencies in:

(i)combustion and dilution air;

(ii)gas shut-off valve(s) and location(s);

(iii)gas connector materials and connections; and

§§535.231(c)(5)(E)(iii)-.232(d)(4)(G)

(iv)vent pipe, draft hood, draft, proximity to combustibles, and vent termination point and clearances.

(d)Specific limitations for water heaters. The inspector is not required to:

(1)verify the effectiveness of the temperature and pressure relief valve, discharge piping, or pan drain pipes;

(2)operate the temperature and pressure relief valve if the operation of the valve may, in the inspector’s reasonable judgment, cause damage to persons or property; or

(3)determine the efficiency or adequacy of the unit.

(e)Hydro-massage therapy equipment. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s) and controls;

(2)the presence of active leaks;

(3)inaccessible pump(s) or motor(s);

(4)the lack or failure of required ground-fault circuit interrupter protection; and

(5)deficiencies in the ports, valves, grates, and covers.

(f)Specific limitation for hydro-massage therapy equipment. The inspector is not required to determine the adequacy of self- draining features of circulation systems.

§535.232. Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Appliances.

[Adopted February 1, 2009.]

(a) Dishwasher. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)rust on the interior of the cabinet or components;

(3)failure to drain properly;

(4)the presence of active water leaks; and

(5)deficiencies in the:

(A)door gasket;

(B)control and control panels;

(C)dish racks;

(D)rollers;

(E)spray arms;

(F)operation of the soap dispenser; (G)door springs;

(H)dryer element;

(I)door latch and door disconnect;

(J)rinse cap;

(K)secure mounting of the unit; and

(L)backflow prevention.

(b)Food waste disposer. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)unusual sounds or vibration level;

(3)the presence of active water leaks; and

(4)deficiencies in the:

(A)splash guard;

(B)grinding components;

(C)exterior casing; and

(D)secure mounting of the unit.

(c)Range exhaust vent. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)a vent pipe that does not terminate outside the structure, if the unit is not of a re- circulating type or configuration;

(3)inadequate vent pipe material;

(4)unusual sounds or vibration levels from the blower fan(s);

(5)blower(s) that do not operate at all speeds; and

(6)deficiencies in the:

(A)filter;

(B)vent pipe;

(C)light and lens;

(D)secure mounting of the unit; and

(E)switches.

(d)Electric or gas ranges, cooktops, and ovens. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)the lack of a gas shut-off valve;

(3)gas leaks; and

(4)deficiencies in the:

(A)controls and control panels;

(B)thermostat(s) sensor support;

(C)glass panels;

(D)door gasket(s), hinges, springs, closure, and handles;

(E)door latch;

(F)heating elements or burners; (G)thermostat accuracy (within 25 degrees

at a setting of 350 °F); (H)drip pans; (I)lights and lenses;

(J)clearance to combustible material; (K)anti-tip device;

(L)gas shut-off valve(s) and location(s);

(M)gas connector materials and connections; and

(N)secure mounting of the unit.

(e)Microwave oven. The inspector shall:

(1)inspect built-in units; and

(2)report as Deficient:

(A)inoperative unit(s); and

(B)deficiencies in the:

(i)controls and control panels;

(ii)handles;

(iii)the turn table;

(iv)interior surfaces;

(v)door and door seal;

(vi)glass panels;

(vii)lights and lenses;

(viii)secure mounting of the unit; and

(ix)operation, as determined by heating a container of water or with other means of testing.

(f)Trash compactor. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)unusual sounds or vibration levels; and

(3)deficiencies in the secure mounting of the

unit.

(g)Mechanical exhaust vents and bathroom heaters. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperative unit(s);

(2)unusual sounds, speed, and vibration

levels;

(3)vent pipes that do not terminate outside the structure;

(4)a gas heater that is not vented to the exterior of the structure; and

(5)the lack of an exhaust ventilator in required areas.

(h) Garage door operators. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1) inoperative unit(s);

§§535.232(d)(4)(G)-.233(a)(1)(B)(ii)

(2)door locks or side ropes that have not been removed or disabled; and

(3)deficiencies in:

(A)installation;

(B)condition and operation of the garage door operator;

(C)automatic reversal during the closing

cycle;

(D)electronic sensors;

(E)the control button; and

(F)the emergency release components.

(i)Doorbell and chimes. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)inoperable unit(s); and

(2)deficiencies in components.

(j)Dryer vents. The inspector shall report as Deficient:

(1)improper routing and length of vent pipe;

(2)inadequate vent pipe material;

(3)improper termination;

(4)the lack of a dryer vent system when provisions are present for a dryer; and

(5)damaged or missing exterior cover.

(k)Specific limitations for appliances. The inspector is not required to:

(1)operate or determine the condition of other auxiliary components of inspected items;

(2)test for microwave oven radiation leaks; (3)inspect self-cleaning functions;

(4)test trash compactor ram pressure; or

(5)determine the adequacy of venting systems.

§535.233. Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Optional Systems. [Adopted February 1, 2009.] If an inspector agrees to inspect a component described in this section, §535.227 of this title relating to Standards of Practice: General Provisions and the applicable provisions below apply.

(1) Lawn and garden sprinkler systems. The inspector shall:

(A)manually operate all zones or stations on the system; and

(B)report as Deficient:

(i)surface water leaks;

(ii)the absence or improper installation of