The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.208, concerning applications for a real estate inspector or professional inspector license, §535.208, concerning fees paid by inspectors, and §535.216, concerning inspector license renewals, without changes to the proposed text as published in the June 29, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 4823).

The amendments to §535.208 and §535.210 were proposed in connection with the passage of House Bill 695 by the 77th Legislature (2001). House Bill 695 repeals a provision in Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, under which a person whose previous inspector license has expired is assessed an additional fee when the person applies for another license. The new law also requires TREC to collect a fee not to exceed $20 when an inspector files a request for a new license certificate reflecting a change of name, return to active status, or change in sponsoring professional inspector.

The amendment to §535.208 adopts by reference two revised forms applicants use to obtain a license as a real estate inspector or professional inspector. The forms have been modified by deletion of language imposing an additional fee if the applicant previously held an inspector license within the year preceding the filing of the application.

The amendment to §535.210 sets the fee for requesting a license certificate due to change of name, return to active status, or change in sponsoring professional inspector at and increases from $10 to $20 the fee for requesting a license due to a change of place of business or to replace a lost or destroyed license.

The amendment to §535.216 requires all inspectors to provide a permanent mailing address to TREC and report a change within 10 days after the change occurs. TREC will use the licensee's permanent mailing address as the address to which license renewal notices and other official correspondence is sent.

Adoption of these amendments is necessary for TREC to bring the sections into compliance with revised Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, to make fees consistent for TREC's licensees and to facilitate communications between TREC and its licensees.

No comments were received regarding the proposal.

The amendments are adopted under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, §5(h), which authorizes the Texas Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.