The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.61, concerning Examinations; §535.62, concerning Acceptable Courses of Study; §535.63, concerning Education and Experience Requirements for a License; §535.64, concerning Accreditation of Schools and Approval of Courses and Instructors; and §535.65, concerning Changes in Ownership or Operation of Schools, Presentation of Courses, Advertising, and Records. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 26, 2007, issue of the Texas Register (32 TexReg 7651) and will not be republished.

The adopted amendments to §535.61 and §535.63 clarify that new Texas Occupations Code, §1101.451(f), regarding late renewals does not apply to education and experience waivers authorized by rule under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.362.

The adopted amendments to §535.64 and §535.65 change references concerning the education provider bond from $10,000 to $20,000 and adopt by reference a revised bond form reflecting an increased amount required by law.

The adopted amendment to §535.62 provides that all TREC core courses that are offered by an alternative delivery method must be certified by a distance learning certification center that is acceptable by TREC.

The TREC received no comments during the notice and comment period regarding adoption of the amendments.

The reasoned justification for the adoption of the amendments is the implementation of legislation enacted during the 80th Legislative Session which affected education requirements and operation of educational programs. Senate Bill 914 and House Bill 1530, each of which became effective September 1, 2007, included revisions to Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.151, which authorizes TREC to adopt and to enforce rules necessary to administer Chapter 1101.

The statute affected by this adoption is Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1101. No other statute, code, or article is affected by the adopted rules.