TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 8. TEXAS APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION BOARD

Chapter 153. RULES RELATING TO PROVISIONS OF THE TEXAS APPRAISER LICENSING AND CERTIFICATION ACT

22 TAC §§153.1, 153.9, 153.13, 153.18

The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board proposes amendments to §§153.1, 153.9, 153.13, and 153.18.

Section 153.1 amends the definition of a fundamental real estate course to tie it specifically to the courses recognized by the Appraiser Qualifications Board as qualifying education. Section 153.9 amends the legal questions on all applications relating to civil judgements rendered. Section 153.13 clarifies that fundamental or qualifying education courses must be approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board or offered by an accredited college or university. It also simplifies the process for obtaining TALCB course approval and makes the period for which the course is approved the same as the period for AQB approval. Section 153.18 clarifies that an individual whose continuing education is deferred may be placed on inactive status and must complete the missed continuing education before returning to active status as mandated by the Appraisal Subcommittee. Section 153.18 provides that the Appraiser Continuing Education (ACE) classroom courses must have either 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.

Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Mr. Thorburn also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of these amendments is that the process of obtaining appraiser course approval will be simplified. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no cost to individuals required to comply with the proposed amendments.

Comments on the proposed amendments may be submitted to Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The amendments are proposed 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 Sec.1103.151 Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses.

No other code, article, or statute is affected by this proposal.

§153.1.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) - (27) (No change.)

(28) Fundamental real estate appraisal course-- those courses approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Boards as qualifying education. [ Basic real estate appraisal courses which include the following topics, but are not limited to, principles of real estate appraisal, real estate appraisal practice, real estate appraisal procedures, highest and best use, report writing, rural appraisal, appraisal review, residential appraisal/valuation, agricultural property appraisal, sales comparison approach, cost approach, income capitalization, discounted cash flow analysis, real estate appraisal case studies, commercial appraisal, non-residential real estate appraisal, and other courses specifically determined by the board. ]

(29) - (56) (No change.)

§153.9.Applications.

(a) (No change.)

(b) The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board adopts by reference the following forms approved by the board and published and available from the board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188:

(1) Application for Appraiser Certification or Licensing, TALCB Form ACL 1-0 (06) [ (04) ];

(2) Application for Provisional Appraiser License, TALCB Form APL 2-0 (06) [ (804) ];

(3) Affidavit Declining Sponsorship, TALCB Form ADS 2A-0 (804);

(4) Application for Approval as an Appraiser Trainee, TALCB Form AAT 3-0 (06) [ (804) ];

(5) Supplement to Application for Appraiser Certification or Licensing by Reciprocity, TALCB Form ACR 4-0 (06) [ (804) ];

(6) Temporary Non-Resident Appraiser Registration, TALCB Form TRN 5-0 (06) [ (804) ];

(7) - (17) (No change.)

(c) - (h) ( No change.)

§153.13.Educational Requirements.

(a) - (e) (No change.)

(f) The board may approve courses submitted or to be submitted by applicants for appraiser certification upon a determination of the board that:

(1) the subject matter of the course was appraisal related; provided that core real estate courses set forth in Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, 7(a)(1) and (2) shall be deemed appraisal-related;

(2) the course was offered by an accredited college or university, [ a school accredited by a real estate or appraiser certification or licensing agency of this or another state, a professional trade association, or a service-related school such as the United States Armed Forces Institute; ] or the course was [ offered or ] approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board under its course approval process as a qualifying education course [ a federal agency or commission or by an agency of this state ];

(3) the applicant obtained credit received in a classroom presentation the hours of instruction for which credit was given and successfully completed a final examination for course credit except as specified in subsection (l) of this section (relating to distance education); and

(4) the course was at least 15 classroom hours in duration, which includes time devoted to examinations which are considered to be part of the course.

[(g) For the purposes of this section, a professional trade association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined association of business or professional competitors that is designed to assist its members and its industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems and in promoting the common interest of its members.]

(g) [ (h) ] The board may require an applicant to furnish materials such as course outlines, syllabi, course descriptions or official transcripts to verify course content or credit.

(h) [ (i) ] Course providers may obtain prior approval of a course by filing forms prescribed by the board and submitting a letter indicating that the course has been approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board under its course approval process. [ the following items listed in paragraphs (1) - (4) of this subsection to the board: ]

[(1) a copy of any textbook, course outline, syllabus, or other written material used in the course;]

[(2) a copy of the question and answers to the written final examination, with an answer key or the correct answers indicated; and]

[(3) sample course completion certificate or other evidence of successful completion of the course; and]

[ (4) ] [ such ] Such prior approval of courses will remain in effect for a period commensurate with the period of the approval granted by the Appraiser Qualifications Board. [ of two years after the date of approval. ]

(i) [ (j) ] The board shall accept classroom hour units of instruction as shown on the transcript or other document evidencing course credit if the transcript reflects the actual hours of instruction the student received. Fifteen classroom hours of credit may be awarded for one semester hour of credit from an acceptable provider. Ten classroom hours of credit may be awarded for one quarter hour of credit from an acceptable provider. Ten classroom hours of credit may be awarded for each continuing education credit from an acceptable provider. The board may not accept courses repeated within three years of the original offering unless the subject matter has changed significantly.

(j) [ (k) ] Instructors who are also certified or licensed appraiser may receive up to one half of their continuing education requirement from instruction of appraisal courses or seminars. Credit for instructing any given course or seminar can only be awarded once during a continuing education cycle. [ Teachers of appraisal courses may receive credit for meeting the educational classroom hours requirement. Teaching of appraisal courses is not acceptable for meeting the experience requirement. Applicants must provide documentation as requested by the board to establish credit for teaching appraisal courses. Education credit for teaching a particular course may be claimed only once in each three year period. ]

(k) [ (l) ] Distance education courses may be acceptable to meet the classroom hour requirement, or its equivalent, provided that the course is approved by the board and meets one of the following conditions listed in paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection.

(1) the course must have been presented by an accredited college or university that offers distance education programs in other disciplines, and

(A) the person has successfully completed a written examination administered to the positively identified person at a location and proctored by an official approved by the college or university; and

(B) the content and length of the course must meet the requirements for real estate appraisal related courses established by this chapter and by the requirements for qualifying education established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board of the Appraisal Foundation and is equivalent to a minimum of 15 classroom hours.

(2) The course has received the [ American Council on Education's Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instructions ( ACE PONSI), or its successor, ] approval for college credit, or has been approved under the AQB Course Approval program; and

(A) the person successfully completes a written examination proctored by an official approved by the presenting entity;

(B) the course meets the requirements for qualifying education established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board and is equivalent to the minimum of 15 classroom hours.

(3) A minimum time equal to the number of hours of credit must elapse from the date of course enrollment until its completion.

(l) [ (m) ] "In-house" education and training is not acceptable for meeting the educational requirements for certification or licensure.

(m) [ (n) ] To be acceptable for meeting the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) educational requirement, a course must:

(1) Be devoted to the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) with a minimum of 15 classroom hours of instruction;

(2) Use the current edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation;

(3) Provide each student with his or her own permanent copy of the current Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation; and

(4) utilize the "National Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) Course" promulgated by the Appraisal Foundation, including the Student Manual and Instructor Manual or an equivalent USPAP course as determined by the AQB.

(n) [ (o) ] Courses specifically approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation, provided that the educational provider has notified the board of the AQB approval.

(o) [ (p) ] Neither current members of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board nor those board staff engaged in the approval of courses or educational qualifications of applicants, certificate holders or licensees shall be eligible to teach or guest lecture as part of an approved appraiser qualifying or continuing education course.

§153.18.Appraiser Continuing Education.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) The appraiser continuing education requirement as set forth in section 153.17 of this title (relating to Renewal of Certification, License or Trainee Approval) for a person previously licensed or certified by the board under this act who is on active duty in the United States armed forces and serves in this capacity outside the State of Texas is [ are ] deferred until the next renewal of a license or certification provided

(1) the person furnishes a copy of official orders or other official documentation acceptable to the board showing that the person was on active duty outside the state during the person's last renewal period , and [ . ]

(2) the certificate, license or trainee authorization is placed on inactive status until completion of continuing education requirements.

(d) In approving ACE courses, the board shall base its review and approval of appraiser continuing education courses upon the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB).

(1) The purpose of ACE is to ensure that certified and licensed appraisers participate in programs that maintain and increase their skill, knowledge, and competency in real estate appraising.

(2) The following types of educational offerings that may be accepted for meeting the ACE requirements are listed in subparagraphs (A) - (L) of this paragraph:

(A) A course that meets the requirements for certification or licensing also may be accepted for meeting ACE provided:

(i) The course is devoted to one or more of the appraisal related topics of the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) for continuing education;

(ii) the course was not repeated within a three year period; and

(iii) the educational offering is at least two hours in length.

(B) The board shall accept as continuing education any continuing education offering that has been approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board course approval process or by another state appraiser licensing and certification board. Course providers may obtain prior approval or continuing education offerings by filing forms prescribed by the board and submitting a letter indicating that the course has been approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board under its course approval process or by another state appraiser licensing and certification board. [ complies with the guidelines of the AQB and is recognized by the Appraisal Subcommittee that a licensed or certified appraiser was awarded by a national appraiser organization approved by the board as a provider of qualifying education; ]

[(C) A course specifically approved by the board for meeting ACE offered by a provider as specified in §153.13(f)(2) of this title (relating to Educational Requirements), provided the course is devoted to one or more of the appraisal related topics of the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the AQB for continuing education and the course is at least two hours in duration;]

[(D) A course that meets the Texas Real Estate Commission mandatory continuing education (MCE) requirements, provided it is devoted to one or more of the appraisal related topics of the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the AQB for continuing education, and which specifically has been approved by the board.]

[(E) A seminar or other educational offering that deals with appraisal issues, offered by an appraiser trade association, a related association, or by a federal or state governmental agency, provided the offering was at least two hours in duration, and is devoted to one or more of the appraisal related topics of the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the AQB for continuing education.]

(C) [ (F) ] Distance education courses, provided that the course is approved by the board and [ meets one of the following conditions listed in clauses (i) - (iv) of this subparagraph: ]

[(i) the course is presented to an organized group in an instructional setting with a person qualified and available to answer questions, provide information, and monitor student attendance, and is a minimum of two classroom hours and meets the requirements for continuing education courses established by the AQB; or]

[ (ii) ] the course either has been presented by an accredited college or university that offers distance education programs in other disciplines, or has been approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board under its course approval process [ received either the American Council on Education's Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction (ACE/PONSI), or its successor, approval for college credit or the AQB's approval through the AQB Course Approval Program; and the course meets the following requirements listed in subclauses (I) - (II) of this clause: ]

[ (I) ] [ the course is equivalent to a minimum of two classroom hours in length and meets the requirements for real estate appraisal-related courses established by the Appraiser Qualifications Board; ] and

[ (II) ] the student successfully completed a written examination proctored by an official approved by the presenting college or university or by the sponsoring organization consistent with the requirements of the course accreditation . [ ; or if a written examination is not required for accreditation, the student successfully completes the course mechanisms required for accreditation with demonstrated mastery and fluency (said mechanisms must be present in a course without an exam in order to be acceptable). ]

[(iii) the content and length of the course must meet the requirements for appraiser continuing education established by this chapter and must be devoted to one or more of the appraisal related topics of the then current appraiser qualifications criteria of the AQB for continuing education; and]

[ (iv) ] [ a ] A minimum time equal to the number of hours of credit must elapse from the date of course enrollment until its completion.

(D) [ (G) ] "In-house" education and training are not acceptable for meeting the appraiser continuing education (ACE) requirements.

(E) [ (H) ] To be acceptable for meeting the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP), appraiser continuing education (ACE) requirement, a course must:

(i) be the National USPAP Update Course or National USPAP Course or its equivalent as determined by the AQB;

(ii) use the current edition of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation;

(iii) provide each student with his or her own permanent copy of the current Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) promulgated by the Appraisal Standards Board of the Appraisal Foundation; additionally,

(iv) providers may include up to one additional hour of supplemental Texas specific information. This may include such topics as the TALCB Act, TALCB Rules, processes and procedures, enforcement issues, or other topics deemed to be appropriate by the board

[(I) Courses specifically approved by the Appraiser Qualifications Board (AQB) of the Appraisal Foundation are acceptable for meeting ACE requirements.]

(F) [ (J) ] As part of the 28 classroom hour ACE requirement, an appraiser must successfully complete a minimum of seven classroom hours of instruction devoted to the USPAP before each renewal.

(G) [ (K) ] Appraiser continuing education credits may also be granted for participation, other than as a student, in real estate appraisal educational processes and programs. Examples of activities for which credit may be granted are teaching, educational program development, authorship of real estate appraisal textbooks, or similar activities that are determined by the board to be equivalent to obtaining appraiser continuing education. Appraisal experience may not be substituted for ACE.

(H) [ (L) ] Neither current members of the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board nor those board staff engaged in the approval of courses or educational qualifications of applicants, certificate holders or licensees shall be eligible to teach or guest lecture as part of an approved appraiser qualifying or continuing education course.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 9, 2006.

TRD-200601539

Wayne Thorburn

Commissioner

Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 23, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3950


Chapter 157. RULES RELATING TO PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

Subchapter A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

22 TAC §157.7

The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board proposes amendments to §157.7 Denial of a License.

Section 157.7 clarifies that individuals wishing to contest a denial or licensure or certification may appeal to the agency's Administrative Law Judge instead of seeking an appeal through the State Office of Administrative Hearing (SOAH).

Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, has determined that for the first five-year period that this section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rules.

Mr. Thorburn has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of this amendment is that it provides the procedure for an individual to appeal a license or certification denied by the Board. There will be no effect on small businesses. There will be no cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The amendments are proposed 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 Sec.1103.151 Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses.

No other code, article, or statute is affected by this proposal.

§157.7.Denial of a License.

If the board denies a certification or license to an applicant under the Act, the board immediately shall give written notice of the denial to the applicant. Notice and hearings relating to denial of a license issued by the board shall be governed by the Act and by Texas Government Code Annotated, §§2001.001, et seq. In the case of an application for approval as an appraiser trainee the board shall also notify a sponsoring certified appraiser of the denial, but a sponsoring appraiser is not required to request a hearing or to be named or admitted as a party in the proceeding before the board. A hearing pursuant to this section shall be held at a place designated by the board and presided over by the agency's administrative law judge who shall conduct the hearing and issue final decisions for the board . Failure to request a hearing within 30 days of the written notice of denial waives judicial appeal, and the board determination becomes final and unappealable.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 9, 2006.

TRD-200601540

Wayne Thorburn

Commissioner

Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 23, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 465-3950


Part 19. POLYGRAPH EXAMINERS BOARD

Chapter 391. POLYGRAPH EXAMINER INTERNSHIP

22 TAC §391.4

The Polygraph Examiners Board proposes an amendment to §391.4, concerning State Examinations for Polygraph Examiners License.

Section 391.4(1) and (8) are amended for general grammatical clean-up.

Frank DiTucci, Executive Officer, Polygraph Examiners Board, has determined that for the first five year period the amendment is in affect, there will be no fiscal implications to state or local government as a result of enforcing the amendment as proposed.

Mr. DiTucci also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be an updated rule. There will be no effect on small or micro businesses. There are no anticipated economic costs to individuals required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the amendment may be submitted to: Frank DiTucci, Executive Officer, Polygraph Examiners Board, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0001.

The amendment is proposed under the Polygraph Examiners Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1703, which provides the board with the authority to prescribe, adopt, and enforce rules relating to the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the Polygraph Examiners Act, Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1703.

No other statute, code or article is affected by the amendment.

§391.4.State Examinations for Polygraph Examiners License.

State examinations for polygraph examiner license shall conform with the following.

(1) When an intern becomes eligible, as provided by law, the intern may take the state examination for a polygraph examiners license under the direct supervision of the Board. The intern can take the academic and scenario portions of the licensing examination under the Executive Officer's [ Director ] supervision any time after successful graduation from a Board approved polygraph school. The oral board portion of the licensing examination can only be taken after the intern has completed five (5) full months of internship under a sponsoring, licensed examiner

(2) Such examinations shall be held at Austin, Texas, or at other locations designated by the Board. Persons eligible to take the examination will be notified of the time, date, and location.

(3) Examinations shall be held at the discretion of the Board, the dates, locations, and times being designated by the Board.

(4) Examinations shall consist of and include questions relating to those topics set forth in the internship training schedule and a presentation of actual polygraph examinations conducted by the applicant during their internship training for Board evaluation.

(5) The grades by all grading members on the licensing examinations will be totaled and averaged and a grade of seventy percent (70%) must be obtained in order to pass.

(6) Failure to pass any portion of the examination shall require such person to retake that portion failed. No polygraph examiner's license shall be issued until the intern has passed all portions of the examination.

(7) Persons failing any portion(s) thereof may retake the portion(s) at the next scheduled examination date, provided that such person is qualified to retake the portion(s) under the law or as set forth herein under the rules and regulations pertaining to interns. Provided further that if any person taking and failing any portion of such examination for the third time, such person shall not be eligible to take another examination until the expiration of twelve (12) months from the date of the last examination, providing such person is otherwise qualified to take such examination by law and under the applicable regulations.

(8) When an intern fails the original licensing examination, or any portion thereof, the intern shall not be permitted to engage in any actual polygraph testing until such time as the intern and the sponsor have reviewed the failing examination with a member of the Board or a member of the Board's staff at the discretion of the Presiding Officer [ presiding officer ]. The time, date, and place of the review will be designated by the Board or its staff. The sponsor shall furnish the Presiding Officer [ presiding officer ] or their designated representative with a written affidavit stating what corrective action will be taken or an oral discussion of those corrective actions acceptable to the Presiding Officer [ presiding officer ].

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on March 10, 2006.

TRD-200601573

Frank DiTucci

Executive Officer

Polygraph Examiners Board

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 23, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2058