DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 299 Reengrossed 2019 Regular Session Carmody
Abstract: Provides for an approval process for continuing education programs by the Louisiana
Real Estate Commission.
Proposed law provides that vendors who have been licensed to provide continuing education courses
shall be exempt from the approval process when seeking to conduct a course offered to obtain any
certificate or designation awarded by the National Association of REALTORS.
Proposed law further provides an exemption for any live courses offered once a year in any one
location in conjunction with a conference, meeting, or forum if the event is held or sponsored by a
state or local real estate association or any affiliate institute, society, or council.
Proposed law requires that courses specified by proposed law be approved by the La. Real Estate
Commission (commission) in order to be utilized for continuing education credit for licensees.
Proposed law requires a vendor of a continuing education program to submit the date, location, and
time the course will be offered when applying for approval to conduct the program or approval for
renewal of the ability to conduct the program, at least 45 days before the program is held. If the date,
location, or time is not known at the time of submission for approval, the vendor is required to
submit the missing information at least 10 days before the program is conducted.
Proposed law requires that for exempt courses offered at a conference, meeting, or forum by a trade
association or its affiliate, the vendor shall submit either the course content or a brief summary of
the course content.
Proposed law requires the vendor to submit the name and credentials of the instructor.
Proposed law requires the executive director of the commission to notify the vendor whether the
course has been approved or not approved within seven days of the vendor's submission for approval.
Proposed law provides that if the course was denied approval by the executive director, the issue
shall be placed on the agenda of the next meeting to be voted upon by the commission.
Proposed law provides that when a course is approved by the commission, it is valid for a period of
three years. After three years, the course is no longer valid if the vendor fails to obtain renewed
approval.
Proposed law allows any state department, office, board, or commission to offer a course for continuing education without being licensed as a real estate education vendor.
Proposed law requires any state department, office, board, or commission which seeks to offer a
continuing education course to submit the course for approval and provides an exemption from
certain course and instructor approval requirements in the Louisiana Administrative Code or
prescribed by the commission.
Proposed law provides that once a course is approved, the instructor shall not be subject to an
additional approval process. Proposed law further provides that if the instructor changes for a
course, the vendor shall submit the name and credentials of the new instructor at least seven days
before the course.
Proposed law provides that when a vendor is seeking approval or approval for renewal, the
commission or any outside contractor is prohibited from asking the vendor or instructor to provide
more specific course information such as an instructor guide, a narrative, outline, time allotment,
detailed learning objectives, or any instructional methods or aids.
(Adds R.S. 37:1461.1)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Commerce to the original bill:
1. Qualify that in order to be exempt, live courses offered once a year for a conference,
meeting, forum, or similar event shall be held or sponsored by a state or local real estate
trade association or any affiliated institute, society, or council.
2. Require that for courses offered to obtain certifications or designations awarded by the
National Association of REALTORS, the vendor shall submit either the course materials,
course syllabus, or both on initial application and submit a brief summary of the course
content upon application for renewal.
3. Require that for exempt courses offered at a conference, meeting, or forum by a trade
association or its affiliate, the vendor shall submit either the course content or a brief
summary of the course content.
4. Allow any state department, office, board, or commission to offer a course for continuing
education without being licensed as a real estate education vendor.
5. Provide that when a state department, office, board, or commission does seek to offer a
continuing education course, the entity shall submit the course for approval but is exempt
from course and instructor approval requirements in the Louisiana Administrative Code
or prescribed by the commission.
6. Make technical changes.