�ǿ��app�� - Education

Providing Exam Proctoring Information to Your Students

Christine Anderson — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:16:15 +0000

Many education providers have opted for live and in-person proctoring for final exams.

Some examples of acceptable proctors include:

a member of provider faculty or staff;
employees at official testing or learning/tutoring centers;
librarians at a school, university or public library;
college or university administrators, faculty or academic advisors;
clergy who are affiliated with a specific temple, synagogue, mosque or church; and
educational officers of a military installation or correctional facility.

Education providers who offer excellent customer service should maintain a list of acceptable individuals who are willing to serve as proctors and make that list available to students. If you have questions about other acceptable proctors, please be sure to contact an Education Specialist at 512-936-3120 or [email protected]">[email protected]. Remember, providing great customer service is the key to getting students to enroll in your courses over and over again to satisfy their education needs.

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Education

�ǿ��app�� Complaints and Education Providers

Christine Anderson — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 02:09:58 +0000

What methods do you have in place to ensure continued compliance with Commission rules? Do you, or someone on your staff, regularly review your advertising materials and website content? Do you know what you are advertising? Familiarizing yourself and your staff with �ǿ��app�� rules is the key to staying in compliance. �ǿ��app�� investigates complaints directed to the agency. Sources of such complaints may come from students, your competitors or other agency stakeholders. Remember, as an agency charged with consumer protection, it is our responsibility to notify the public of their right to file a formal complaint should they feel that an education provider or instructor has violated Commission rules.

It is important for you to know that if upon investigation, you are found to be non-compliant, you may risk suspension or revocation of your approval to offer or teach courses. Commission rules currently also allow for administrative penalties. The Commission proposed a rule change at the August meeting that identifies the administrative penalty range for violations of provider responsibilities.

What does �ǿ��app�� Recommend?

Remember, the Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) and Commission meetings are open to the public and are a great resource for information. You don't have to be in Austin to attend. The ESAC meetings are accessible through GoToMeeting and Commission meetings are live streamed on the �ǿ��app�� website.

Get involved. Stay engaged.

Your participation and feedback are welcomed and appreciated.

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Education

License Exams Now Available On Military Installations

Christine Anderson — Fri, 05 May 2017 17:08:46 +0000

The Texas Real Estate Commission (�ǿ��app��) is pleased to announce that the Texas real estate sales agent, broker, and inspector licensure exams are now conveniently available at over 200 Pearson VUE test centers as well as on military installations across the globe for service members, spouses, dependents, and contractors with authorized base access.

Members of the military community who want to become licensed while stationed either stateside or overseas now have the option to take their exams without having to return to Texas to be tested. This is a great benefit for those who are frequently relocated or are transitioning to civilian careers.

Locate a Pearson VUE authorized testing center, and select the "Find an on-base test center" link on the lower right-hand side of the page.

NOTE: In addition to Pearson VUE’s standard ID policies, candidates must have valid government ID and authorization to gain access to the base. Civilians without valid government ID will be turned away by the test center and/or military entrance gate security.

�ǿ��app�� proudly supports military members and families and is pleased to offer this benefit to those serving our country; also offering additional flexibility to military, veterans and family members in certain qualifications, forms and fees. For more on Texas benefits and support for military service members, be sure to check out the veterans portal.

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Education

ESAC Recap: Exciting News for Education Providers

Sierra Pizarro — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:55:02 +0000

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

Going Online

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

Other features include paying fees online, faster processing times, built-in timed outlines and content outlines for course applications, and more.

�ǿ��app�� will offer training for its education providers prior to the new system’s launch. This information page will be updated with those details soon.

ESAC- and Inspector-Recommended Rule Changes

ESAC and the Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee previously recommended amendments to a set of rules regarding student identification requirements and course exam proctoring. The changes included removing proctoring requirements for course final exams and certain courses delivered using technology.

During the meeting, ESAC again recommended these changes, as well as a recommendation to remove rule language that requires final exams be closed book.

Next, the drafts will be presented to the inspector committee at its next meeting on April 21.

Where to Find Meeting Materials

Download this meeting’s agenda and materials.

Upcoming Meeting Details

ESAC meets again Monday, July 7 at 10 a.m.

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Articles

Education

First ESAC Meeting of 2025 Focuses on Exam Proctoring

Sierra Pizarro — Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:08:12 +0000

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

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

Reappointments were also made:

Bill Steddum, license holder member.
Kandi Luensmann, license holder member.
Kara Bang, reappointed this time as an educator.

The group then participated in an annual advisory committee training on the core functions of ESAC, the Commission, and the committee meetings process.

Elections

Three ESAC officers were elected:

Bill Steddum will remain chair
Byron Underwood, educator, will remain vice-chair
Kassie Scott, a license holder member, was elected as secretary

What’s Next for Exam Proctoring?

ESAC, along with the Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC), previously recommended amendments to a set of rules regarding student identification requirements and course exam proctoring. The changes include removing proctoring requirements for course final exams and certain courses delivered using technology. To be consistent with those recommendations, the committee is now considering striking rule language that states final exams must be closed book.

To give stakeholders an opportunity to weigh in on these changes, ESAC recommends withdrawing the current rules as proposed. Staff will draft language for ESAC’s review at its April meeting with a possibility of a new recommendation being made by the committee for the May Commission meeting.

Meeting Materials

View this meeting’s video recording, materials, and agenda.

Upcoming Meeting Information

ESAC will meet again Monday, April 7 at 10 a.m. CT.

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Articles

Education

It’s Just the Beginning: �ǿ��app�� Awarded for Course Design Overhaul

Sierra Pizarro — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 19:42:30 +0000

With the notion of keeping everything under one roof, Texas Real Estate Commission (�ǿ��app��) staff took on a new part of the development of the 2024-2025 Legal Update I & II courses. Thanks to the skills and talent of �ǿ��app�� Director of Government and Strategic Communications Summer Mandell, this book was wholly produced in-house, to include the design of the course materials.

“The look and feel of the book are pretty different than they’ve been in the past and that was on purpose,�� Director Mandell said. “Every license holder in the state of Texas is required to take this course which means we may have some folks who aren’t really looking forward to it. With that in mind, we wanted to do what we could to make things attractive, pop out; just a little bit more engaging.”��

In addition, directions for the instructors are expanded upon and new and engaging activities are included. Intended learning outcomes are also more clearly presented, offering instructors the direction they need to help ensure learning objectives are achieved.

As a result of the combined efforts of �ǿ��app�� staff and its much-appreciated external subject matter experts, �ǿ��app�� received national recognition in the form of the Post-Licensing/Continuing Education award granted by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. Staff submitted the below acceptance video that was played at the awards ceremony. There to collect the accomplishment, as pictured from left to right, were �ǿ��app��/Texas Appraiser Licensing (TALCB) Education and Examinations Director Jennifer Wheeler, �ǿ��app�� General Counsel Vanessa Burgess, and TALCB Director Melissa Tran—which won its own award. ��

The Legal Update courses are the first to be reimagined but are not the last. Staff have already completed and are now training education providers on the 2025-2026 Broker Responsibility Course. ��

“One of the key aspects to the success of these courses is that they are rewritten and redeveloped every two years, so the content always stays fresh,�� said Director Wheeler. “By refreshing the material on a regular basis, we’re able to communicate different important messages to our license holders. What we choose to tell them and how we present the information is crucial.” ��

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Agency Announcements

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Education

ESAC-Recommended Changes: Course Proctoring and Student Verification

Sierra Pizarro — Tue, 22 Oct 2024 16:09:25 +0000

During the Texas Real Estate Commission’s Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) meeting on October 7, the group reviewed three rules regarding course proctoring and student identification requirements. Multiple changes were recommended but before a dig into the highlights, a congratulations.

The Commission’s latest Legal Update I and II courses were selected for an education award by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials. ESAC congratulated staff and supporting subject matter experts for the team effort to improve the courses with changes that received this national attention. Both the Texas Real Estate Commission (�ǿ��app��) and Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) were awarded during a ceremony in Chicago, as pictured (from the left: �ǿ��app�� Education Director Jennifer Wheeler, �ǿ��app�� General Counsel Vanessa Burgess, TALCB Director Melissa Tran).

Recommended Rule Changes

The following changes were reviewed and recommended by both ESAC and the Inspector Committee. They will go before the Commission for proposal in November.

Verifying Identity

After discussion, ESAC recommends amending �ǿ��app�� Rule 535.65 to say providers must verify student identification at class sign up and before every class meeting, rather than the current requirement of checking the photo ID. ESAC is making this recommendation to reduce potential security concerns and open the rule to other ways providers can verify a student’s identity.

Exam Proctoring

ESAC recommends removing proctoring requirements from �ǿ��app�� rules out of concerns that the requirements were burdensome and unnecessary, including in the context of course examinations because the licensing examination itself is proctored. The committee removed new language in the draft rule that would have required a monitor for every 20 students participating in a qualifying or non-elective continuing education classroom delivery course delivered through the use of technology.

Meeting Materials

The meeting video, agenda, and red-lined materials relating to the above rule recommendations can be viewed and downloaded online.

ESAC will meet again January 6, 2025.

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Articles

Education

ESAC Recommends Course Outline Changes, Discusses Course Proctoring and ID Verification

Sierra Pizarro — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:46:20 +0000

The Texas Real Estate Commission’s Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC) met on July 8. Here are the highlights.

Recommended Course Outline Changes

The meeting opened with members reviewing public comment and recommending the Commission adopt changes to the course approval forms for Principles of Real Estate I and II, and Law of Agency. These changes will be considered at the Commission's August 19 meeting.

Course Proctoring

Currently, final exams for qualifying real estate courses must be proctored by provider faculty or staff or a third party acceptable to the Commission. ESAC discussed whether this is overly burdensome and requested Commission staff draft revised rule language to eliminate the requirement. Staff will present the draft to ESAC for consideration at its next meeting.

Verifying Identity

In order to check student photo ID in live broadcast courses as required by rule, education providers ask students to display their photo IDs on camera. Because of potential security concerns, ESAC would like the Commission to consider other ways providers can verify a student’s identity. �ǿ��app�� staff will present revised draft rule language to the committee at the next meeting.

Meeting Materials

Download the meeting materials and watch the livestream recording.

The next ESAC Meeting is October 7. To submit a comment,��[email protected]?subject=ESAC%20Comment&body=This%20is%20a%20comment%20for%20the%20next%20ESAC%20meeting%20on%20October%207%3A%20">contact General Counsel.

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Education

Rule Spotlight: Responsibilities, Operations of CE Providers

Sierra Pizarro — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 21:47:54 +0000

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

Using Qualified and Competent Instructors

A provider must ensure that an instructor who teaches CE courses is competent in the subject matter to be taught and has the ability to teach effectively.
Real estate non-elective CE instructors must successfully complete the instructor training certification.
Instructors of the Inspector Legal & Ethics and Standards of Practice review course must have��
- Five years of active experience as a licensed Texas professional inspector and
- Performed a minimum of 200 real estate inspections as a Texas professional inspector or
- Three years of experience teaching and/or sponsoring inspectors.

Posting CE Credit

Providers must maintain a course completion roster for in-person synchronous courses and post credit to the Posting System not later than 10 calendar days after the course is completed.
Providers must maintain a Distance Education Reporting Form for virtual synchronous courses and asynchronous courses. Credit must be posted using the Posting System no later than 10 calendar days after the course is completed.

Providing Course Evaluations

Providers must make course and instructor evaluation forms available. Acceptable evaluation forms are available on the �ǿ��app�� website.

Reporting Changes in Ownership

A CE Provider Application is required when requesting approval of a change in ownership.
The provider must obtain the approval of the Commission at least 30 days in advance of any material change in operation which includes but is not limited to ownership, management, location of the main office and any locations where classes occur.

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Education

4 Tips for Submitting a Real Estate CE Course Application

Sierra Pizarro — Fri, 07 Jun 2024 18:37:07 +0000

Want your real estate continuing education (CE) submission process to go more smoothly? Use this checklist each time you submit an application.

Double Check the Course Fee(s)

Remember, CE course fees must be calculated based on the following information. All courses must include the base fee and content review fee. In addition to the base and content review fees, fees for each delivery method in which the course will be offered are required.

All courses include base and content review fees:

Base Application Fee - $50.00
Content Review Fee - $5.00 per credit hour

Additionally, fees for each delivery method in which the course will be offered are required. For courses offered in a single delivery method:

Classroom (Synchronous) Review Fee - $5.00 per credit hour

Distance Education (Asynchronous) Review Fee - $10.00 per credit hour

For courses offered in both synchronous and asynchronous delivery:

Classroom (Synchronous) Review Fee - $5.00 per credit hour

and

Distance Education (Asynchronous) Review Fee - $10.00 per credit hour

Make Your Content Clear

When describing your course, include learning objectives that clearly reflect relevancy to the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of a sales agent or broker.

If you are submitting a contracts course, reference the specific contract(s) that will be covered in the course.

Submit a Timed Course Outline

Nothing spells out the detail of course content like a timed course outline. Here is a sample of a timed course outline.

Sign the Application

Before submitting the application, make sure it has been signed by a person authorized to do so.

For more information review Apply to Offer Real Estate CE Courses.

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Articles

Education

�ǿ�����app���� - Education

Providing Exam Proctoring Information to Your Students

Some examples of acceptable proctors include:

�ǿ�����app���� Complaints and Education Providers

What does �ǿ�����app���� Recommend?

Get involved. Stay engaged.

License Exams Now Available On Military Installations

ESAC Recap: Exciting News for Education Providers

Going Online

ESAC- and Inspector-Recommended Rule Changes

Where to Find Meeting Materials

Upcoming Meeting Details

First ESAC Meeting of 2025 Focuses on Exam Proctoring

Elections

What’s Next for Exam Proctoring?

Meeting Materials

Upcoming Meeting Information

It’s Just the Beginning: �ǿ�����app���� Awarded for Course Design Overhaul

ESAC-Recommended Changes: Course Proctoring and Student Verification

Recommended Rule Changes

Verifying Identity

Exam Proctoring

Meeting Materials

ESAC Recommends Course Outline Changes, Discusses Course Proctoring and ID Verification

Recommended Course Outline Changes

Course Proctoring

Verifying Identity

Meeting Materials

Rule Spotlight: Responsibilities, Operations of CE Providers

Using Qualified and Competent Instructors

Posting CE Credit

Providing Course Evaluations

Reporting Changes in Ownership

4 Tips for Submitting a Real Estate CE Course Application

Double Check the Course Fee(s)

Make Your Content Clear

Submit a Timed Course Outline

Sign the Application

�ǿ��app�� - Education

�ǿ��app�� Complaints and Education Providers

What does �ǿ��app�� Recommend?

It’s Just the Beginning: �ǿ��app�� Awarded for Course Design Overhaul