The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) adopts the amendments to §§153.1, 153.9, 153.13, and 153.18, concerning Rules Relating to Provisions of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act. Sections 153.13 and 153.18 are adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 24, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 2365). Sections 153.1 and §153.9 are adopted without change to the proposed text as published.

The adopted amendment to §153.1 amends the definition of a fundamental real estate course to tie it specifically to the courses recognized by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) as qualifying education. Section 153.9 adopts an amendment to the legal question on all applications relating to civil judgments rendered. Section 153.13 adopts amendments that clarify that fundamental or qualifying education courses must be approved by the Appraiser Qualifications or offered by an accredited college or university. It also simplifies the process for obtaining TALCB course approval and makes the period for which a course is approved the same as the AQB approval period. The proposed language to §153.13(j) was adopted with changes to make it consistent with the AQB criteria. The adopted amendments to §153.18 provide that the Appraiser Continuing Education (ACE) classroom courses must either have AQB approval or be approved by another state appraiser licensing and certification board. ACE distance courses must be approved by the AQB or be offered by an accredited college or university.

One comment was received from Ben Henson, Executive Director of the Appraisal Subcommittee suggesting that the Board not adopt the proposed amendment to §153.18(c) until the Appraiser Qualifications Board has finalized its interpretation. The Board tabled adoption of this amendment.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, Subchapter D, Board Powers and Duties (Occupations Code, Chapter 1103), which provides the board with authority to adopt rules under §1103.151, Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses.