The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts on an emergency basis amendments to Subchapter R, Real Estate Inspectors, §535.208, Application for a License; §535.209, Examinations; §535.210, Fees; §535.211, Professional Liability Insurance, or Any Other Insurance that Provides Coverage for Violations of Subchapter G of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102; §535.212, Education and Experience Requirements for a License; and §535.216, Renewal of License.

The amendments are adopted on an emergency basis to implement the relevant provisions of House Bill (HB) 2911, 83rd Session, Texas Legislature, Regular Session (2013). The effective date of the relevant provisions of HB 2911 is September 1, 2013. In relevant part, HB 747 amended Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102, regarding examinations, late renewals, education requirements, financial responsibility, and fingerprinting.

The amendments to §535.208 change the reference to professional responsibility requirements, change from 6 to 12 months the period for completing all application requirements, and add a new fingerprinting requirement for applicants to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendment to §535.209 adds a new subsection to the rule regarding additional education requirements for applicants who fail an exam three consecutive times to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendments to §535.210 add new fees for late renewals and fingerprinting to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendments to §535.211 add new proof of professional responsibility requirements to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendments to §535.212 address education requirements for applicants to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendments to §535.216 add new fees for late renewals and fingerprinting to be consistent with new statutory requirements.

The amendments are adopted an emergency basis under Texas Occupations Code, §1101.151, which authorizes the Texas Real Estate Commission to adopt and enforce rules necessary to administer Chapters 1101 and 1102; and to establish standards of conduct and ethics for its licensees to fulfill the purposes of Chapters 1101 and 1102 and ensure compliance with Chapters 1101 and 1102.

The statute affected by these emergency amendments is Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1102. No other statute, code or article is affected by the emergency amendments.