Track 1: Texas Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics Update 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (8 hours of TREC approved credit)
Texas Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics Update
Did you know that Effective September 1, 2011, continuing education for renewal of a real estate inspector or professional inspector license must include six hours of Texas Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics Update? Brian Murphy will present this first ever approved ethics course.
Does iNachi have plans to offer a course to help out with this?
No. I don’t believe we are going to offer it online at first. We’re actually going to offer it as a classroom course so that we can get instant inspector feedback. We’re struggling to fill up 6 hours on this narrow topic.
I literally JUST realized (about 2 hrs ago) that because of my 9/1/11 renewal date that I am responsible for having this course ASAP. I thought it applied to me for my 2013 renewal, but apparently not.
While there is some uncertainty in the new TREC SOP/Legal/Ethics CE requirement this is what Inspector Advisory Committee Chairman Willcox had to say about it in last month’s TREC Advisor newsletter:
While there may be some uncertainty in the new TREC SOP/Legal/Ethics CE requirement this is what Inspector Advisory Committee Chairman Willcox had to say about it in last month’s TREC Advisor newsletter:
Additionally, the Texas Administrative Code was amended in Jan '11 to include the requirement. If I’m misinterpreting something please let me know.
The pre-licensing requirement wouldn’t apply to Bruce. But he will need to take the course before he renews in 2013. That’s how I read it. Otherwise, having a Sept 1, 2011 renewal date, he would be given only a 1-day window to take the course (so I know that isn’t right).
My professional inspector license renewal is due on 9/1/11. My question is: am I required to take the SoP/Legal/Ethics course prior to 9/1/11 in order to renew my license?
Sincerely,
Bruce
Dear Mr. Thompson,
License #9199
Your inquiry was forward to me since I process the Inspector Applications, Renewals, and CE documents.
At this time, it has not been mandated to complete that particular course.
Should you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Elisa Macias
Education Specialist
Thanks for the quick response. Just to reiterate, my license renews on 9/1/11. I don’t have to have that course for this renewal period.
Actual rule wording “FONT=Arial Effective September 1, 2011, continuing education for renewal of a real estate inspector or professional inspector license must include six hours of Texas Standards of Practice/Legal/Ethics Update.”
September 1, 2011 starts at 12.00 AM.
I suggest you elevate your request for clarification to Devon Bijansky. devon.bijansky@trec.texas.gov I have seen TREC over rule emails and you might find yourself without a license.
TAREI presented a 6 hour course a few weeks ago. The inspector committee developed a required syllabus outline and TAREI had to use it to develop their course.
As far as I can tell a slide show that reads the Ethics and SoP is about all that is needed. The course did solicit some interesting comments. I have no doubt INACHI and others will offer great courses.
As best I can tell, the purpose of the Rule was to make inspectors read the SoP at least once every 10 years.
I would expect that you are correct. The problem with any SOP/Ethics course is that we will now most likely hear some other persons understanding of “The true meaning of the SOP” instead of the meaning directly from those who write and push the rules to TREC. I believe the IAC should be tasked with creating an online review of the rules, ethics, SOP, etc., that any Inspector can take from anywhere to satisfy this requirement. In that way instead of hearing somebody else’ interpretation we can get it straight from the horses mouth (or whatever other part of the horse it might come from).
Bruce,
our licenses’ expire 08/31/2011
meaning we have to renew before 09/01/2011
trec would like the renewal app & other required paperwork/files about 3-wks ahead of the expiration date…ymmv
the way i read the rule you or i will be required to do the ce anytime during the
09/01/2011~08/31/2013 license cycle
Barry’s correct Bruce. Your expiration date is 8/31 and as long as TREC has proof of your 32 hours of CE (not including the SOP/Ethics/Legal course) and proof of E&O then you can renew online today.