Texas House Bill HB3738

Texas 2009 - 81st Regular

• Out of House Committee: 4/21/09

Caption

Relating to requirements for correspondence courses for licensing as a real estate broker, salesperson, or inspector.

Impact

The legislation is intended to bolster the quality of education in the real estate sector by holding educational institutions accountable for their correspondence courses. It requires institutions to follow specific procedures, including reviewing course content and maintaining adequate educational standards. The certification process will involve verification of student identities and course integrity, ultimately aiming to ensure that real estate professionals are properly educated before entering the field. This change is expected to have a significant impact on the real estate education landscape in Texas, potentially improving the success rate of students on licensing examinations.

Summary

House Bill 3738 aims to establish clear requirements for correspondence courses related to the licensing of real estate brokers, salespeople, and inspectors in Texas. The bill introduces a new subchapter to the Occupations Code that mandates educational institutions offering these courses to obtain a certificate of registration from the Texas Real Estate Commission. This registration is essential for any correspondence course to be recognized as valid for meeting core real estate education requirements. The bill emphasizes enhancing the academic standards and ensuring the integrity of real estate education.

Contention

Some notable points of contention may arise around the bill's strict requirements for educational institutions, particularly regarding the responsibilities placed upon them to maintain educational integrity. Critics might argue that the additional bureaucratic layers could hinder access to education for aspiring real estate professionals, especially those in underserved areas. Conversely, supporters will advocate that these standards are necessary to prevent fraud and ensure that all licensed professionals possess the essential knowledge and skills needed to operate ethically and competently within the industry.