Texas’ Continuing Education Requirements
State-Mandated Continuing Education Requirements
H.B. 1038 was passed by the 80th Texas Legislature and became effective September 1, 2007. This law requires all builders and remodelers registered by the Texas Residential Construction Commission (TRCC) to complete five (5) hours of continuing education, one (1) hour of which must address ethics, and at least two (2) hours that must address limited statutory warranties, building & performance standards and requirements of the International Residential Code. The additional two (2) hours are elective, and can include attending a training class offered through your HBA, participation in your association, taking a NAHB designation course or self-directed study.
The builder who is registered with the TRCC must receive the continuing education, unless the builder is a corporation or other business entity. In that instance, the registered builder may designate another individual to satisfy the requirements.
Once a builder has taken a course, it is their responsibility to provide the TRCC with that information. The “Certificate of Attendance Form” can be found on the TRCC’s Web site at http://www.trcc.state.tx.us/Forms_Library/Continuing_Education_Attendance.pdf.
For more information on the state’s mandatory education requirements, contact the Texas Residential Construction Commission at (877) 651-TRCC or visit trcc.state.tx.us.
Builders registered with the TRCC before September 1, 2007 must complete five (5) hours of education over five (5) years (by September 1, 2012).
Builders registered with the TRCC after September 1, 2007 must complete five (5) hours of education within one (1) year.
THE LAW: CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS
(a) The commission shall recognize or administer continuing education programs for builders registered by the commission. A registered builder must participate in the programs to the extent required by this section to maintain the builder's registration.
(b) A builder who registers for the first time on or after September 1, 2007, must complete, during the first year the builder is registered with the commission, five hours of continuing education, one hour of which must address ethics.
(c) A builder who is registered before September 1, 2007, and all other builders who register for the first time on or after September 1, 2007, and satisfy the requirements of Subsection (b), must complete five hours of continuing education every five years, one hour of which must address ethics.
(d) The commission shall permit a registered builder to receive continuing education credit for educational, technical, ethical, or professional management activities related to the practice of residential construction, including:
(1) successfully completing or auditing a course sponsored by an institution of higher education;
(2) successfully completing a course certified by a professional or trade organization;
(3) attending a seminar, tutorial, short course, correspondence course, videotaped course, or televised course on the practice of residential construction;
(4) participating in an in-house course sponsored by a corporation or other business entity;
(5) teaching a course described by Subdivisions (1)-(4);
(6) publishing an article, paper, or book on the practice of residential construction;
(7) making or attending a presentation at a meeting of a residential or builder association or organization or writing a paper presented at the meeting;
(8) participating in the activities of a residential or builder association, including serving on a committee of the organization; and
(9) engaging in self-directed study on the practice of residential construction.
(e) A registered builder may not receive more than two continuing education credit hours during each five-year period for engaging in self-directed study.
(f) At least two hours of the continuing education requirement under this section must address:
(1) limited statutory warranties;
(2) building and performance standards; and
(3) requirements of the International Residential Code as adopted under Section 430.001 and other statutes and rules that apply to builders under this title.
(g) A builder's agent or other designated individual may satisfy the requirements of this section for the builder if the builder is a corporation or other business entity.
H.B. 1038, Sec. 416.012
Passed June 15, 2007
80th Texas Legislature
(Effective September 1, 2007)
For the complete bill, go to: Texas Legislature Online - Bill: HB 1038
