The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts amendments to §535.71, concerning mandatory continuing education without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 14, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 2215) and will not be republished.

The amendment to §535.71 permits guest speakers to make a presentation for up to three hours in any TREC-approved MCE course. The TREC-approved instructor of the course must remain in the classroom during the guest speaker's presentation and only one guest speaker per course period will be permitted. At his or her discretion, the course instructor may invite a subject-matter expert to speak for up to one hour in an MCE course without seeking approval from TREC. If the speaker is engaged for more than one hour (not to exceed 3 hours), TREC must receive a resume or other pertinent biographical information on the speaker prior to the date of the course. In all instances, the MCE course being delivered must be TREC-approved in advance. Guest speakers must observe the general outline of the approved course in choosing their topic. However, this would not preclude the speaker from discussing case studies, personal experiences, etc. in the context of the overall pre-approved course outline. The effect of the amendment will be an enhancement of the educational process for schools and instructors.

No comments were received regarding the amendment.

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, to establish standards of conduct and ethics for its licensees in keeping with the purposed and intent of the Act or to insure compliance with the provisions of the Act.

The statute affected by this adoption is Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a.