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FAQs for Continuing Education Program Approval

  1. How do I apply for approval of continuing education programs?
    Please complete the Continuing Education Program - Approval Form (PDF, 139KB) located on the Comptroller's website. Please follow the instructions for completing the form and submitting the appropriate materials. The Comptroller's Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD) will forward the form approving or disapproving the program to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) for awarding continuing education (CE) credit hours.
  2. How do I find out if a program was approved and, if so, for how many CEs?
    PTAD will notify you of approval of your continuing education program and CEs.
  3. Does every topic we submit for credit in a program count for CE?
    Only programs dealing with the following topics will be considered for approval of CE credit: 1) appraisal standards and methodology; 2) tax assessment and collection practices; 3) ethics; 4) laws and rules, including legislative updates; 5) Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); 6) customer service; and 7) state-required laws and rules update.
  4. What qualifies for customer service?
    Customer service programs are defined as "programs designed to enhance services to and improve relationships with the public." This typically does not include professional development programs, but might include programs on communication development.
  5. What is the difference between the laws and rules and state-required laws and rules update categories?
    The state-required laws and rules update is based on legislation passed every two years and is a specific CE requirement for TDLR certification renewal. The laws and rules category encompasses all laws and rules applicable to property tax professionals and may be applied to the number of general CE's required for TDLR certification renewal.
  6. What do you mean when you ask for program materials?
    They are a timed agenda and a description of each topic for which you are requesting CE credit.
  7. How long does it take to have CEs approved?
    PTAD requires your request and accompanying materials be submitted no later than 30 calendar days prior to the date of the event. PTAD will notify TDLR at least 10 days prior to the program date for its determination. Typically, you will receive notice within two weeks of submission, depending on workload.
  8. How long is the program approval valid?
    CE program approval is good for one year from the approval date.
  9. How do I renew a CE program that is expiring?
    Before expiration, complete the Continuing Education Program - Approval Form (PDF, 139KB) located on the Comptroller's website, indicate it is a renewal in the description, and attach a copy of the PTAD approved form from the expiring program that was executed indicating approval the previous year.
  10. Who do I contact to turn in CEs for individuals who attended an event?
    You must apply with TDLR to become a registered CE provider. Registered CE providers report CE credits of attendees to TDLR online through their website. Please see TDLR's website or email them with any additional questions regarding TDLR processes at continuing.educatione@tdlr.texas.gov.
  11. Can I get CE credit approved for a program that has already occurred?
    The request form and program materials must be submitted to PTAD at least 30 calendar days prior to the date of the event.
  12. If I submit my request less than 30 days ahead of schedule, what happens?
    The program risks not receiving approval because of deadlines for notifying TDLR.
  13. Can I get CE credit for International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO) and other professional organizations' educational courses?
    Pursuant to Tax Code Section 5.05, the Comptroller has approved all educational courses and CE programs developed and approved by The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), IAAO and the Appraisal Institute for CE credit for the number of CE hours assigned by the organizations. CE programs from other professional organizations are subject to the 30-day submission and program approval process.
  14. If I take a USPAP course or program from IAAO, TAF or the Appraisal Institute will it count for my certification or continuing education requirement?
    PTAD has approved all educational courses and CE programs developed and approve by TAF, IAAO and AI. TDLR must determine whether or not to accept it for one of their specific requirements.
  15. What is the difference between an "educational course" and a "program?"
    "Educational courses" refers to courses required for initial classification and/or certification in accordance with TDLR's classification system for property tax professional registrants and courses of greater than two days in duration for which continuing education credit may be obtained. "Programs" are short-term workshops, seminars, forums and other presentations that do not last more than two days and are taken for CE credit.
  16. Do I file a separate form for each program within the event?
    One CE approval form may be submitted for the event, but each program will be awarded credit separately. This is necessary for events with concurrent programs scheduled throughout. For example, a conference may have three optional programs delivered concurrently, but a registrant will only receive CE credit for the program attended.
  17. How do I determine the total program length?
    Total program length should include the total of all programs, including the time for every concurrent program. This is not the number of days or length of the event or total eligible per registrant.
  18. Is an approved instructor required to teach a CE program?
    No. Approved instructors are required only for educational courses and not for programs. Anyone may teach a CE program.
  19. How are CE hours calculated?
    PTAD approves CE credit on an hour-for-hour basis for programs that submit timed agendas including breaks and lunches. Programs with timed agendas that do not indicate breaks and/or lunches will be approved as 50 minutes of CE credit for every 60 minutes of actual class time and rounds up to the quarter credit.
  20. If I take an educational course for CE credit do I have to take the exam to receive the credit?
    No. CE credit hours are applied to the course and review, but not the exam.
  21. If I take an educational course for CE credit and take the exam, do I get additional CE credit for taking the exam?
    No. CE credit hours are applied to the course and review, but not the exam.
  22. Can I take a portion of a course on property tax law to count as the state-required laws and rules update course required every two years to maintain certification?
    No. The state-required laws and rules update course is based on legislation passed every two years. Accordingly, criteria for the legislative update is determined by what bills are passed.
  23. Can I submit a certificate from a course or program I took that is not pre-approved by PTAD?
    PTAD does not approve CE based on a certificate for individuals. The provider of the course or program must submit it to PTAD for approval 30 days prior to delivery.

FAQ's for Educational Course Approval

  1. Are educational courses pertaining to RPA or RTA certifications still approved?
    PTAD is required to approve all certification or core courses. Please see the list of approved certification courses and the expiration date of approval on the Comptroller's website.
  2. How is an educational course approved?
    Please refer to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, Educational Course Approval Program Policies and Procedures, complete the Educational Course - Approval Request and the Checklist for Submission of Educational Course for Approval Review. Course approval requests and materials must be submitted to PTAD 90 days in advance of delivery date.
  3. Can educational courses cover any topic?
    Educational courses must deal with one of the following topics: 1) appraisal standards and methodology; 2) tax assessment and collection practices; 3) ethics; 4) laws and rules, including legislative updates; 5) Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP); or 6) customer service.
  4. What qualifies for customer service?
    Customer service programs are defined as "programs designed to enhance services to and improve relationships with the public." This typically does not include professional development programs, but might include programs on communication development.
  5. Can I take certification or core courses for CE credit?
    Yes. The list of approved core courses includes the number of CE credits for each.
  6. Can I get credit for taking a course from the IAAO, TAF or AI?
    Yes. Under Property Tax Code Section 5.05, the Comptroller may approve publications relating to the appraisal of property and the administration of taxes, "including materials published by The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), or other professionally recognized organizations, for use in the administration of property taxes." PTAD approved all courses offered by or through TAF, IAAO and the Appraisal Institute (AI) for CE credit for the number of continuing education hours assigned by TAF, IAAO or AI, as applicable.
  7. Do end-of-course exams count for CE credits?
    No. CE is earned for course work only. CEs will be granted for taking the class, regardless of whether the examination is taken, passed or failed.
  8. Can I get CE credit for taking a review course for a level exam?
    At this time, no review courses have been submitted for CE approval.
  9. What happened to the previously offered electives?
    PTAD approves only educational courses required for certification purposes. Several of the previously-required courses are no longer required under the new TDLR rules. However, they can be submitted for approval as continuing education programs.
  10. What do I do if I want to have a course added to the certification requirements for one of the TDLR certifications?
    You may contact TDLR at cs.tax.professionals@tdlr.texas.gov with your request. Certification requirements are part of TDLR's rules and PTAD does not have authority of them.
  11. Are students required to complete evaluations of instructors at the end of educational courses?
    Yes. Educational course sponsors are required to request students complete Instructor Observation and Evaluation Forms and return them to PTAD at P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711-3528. In the absence of a sponsor, the instructor is responsible for returning the forms.
  12. Is an instructor evaluation form required for the 7-hour USPAP refresher course?
    No. Instructor evaluations are required only for educational courses used for certification purposes and not for continuing education programs. The 7-hour USPAP refresher course is allowed for continuing education only.

FAQ's for Instructor Approval

  1. How do I find out if someone is an approved instructor?
    Please see the list of approved educational course instructors indicating expiration dates on the Comptroller's website.
  2. How do I become approved as an educational course instructor?
    Please review the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, Instructor Approval Procedures and complete and submit the Application for Educational Course Instructor (PDF, 216KB).
  3. How do I find out if I am eligible to become an education course instructor?
    Please review the Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, Instructor Approval Procedures.
  4. How long is an instructor approval valid?
    Instructor approval is valid for four years at which time reapplication and approval is required to remain an instructor.
  5. Will PTAD verify the courses I have taught over the prior four years to certification renewal?
    Yes. PTAD will verify the courses listed in the renewal application using evaluations received for the instructor during the expiring approval period.
  6. Are students required to complete evaluations of instructors at the end of educational courses?
    Yes. Educational course sponsors are required to request students complete Instructor Observation and Evaluation Forms and return them to PTAD at P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711-3528. In the absence of a sponsor, the instructor is responsible for returning the forms.
  7. What do I do if the sponsor does not provide evaluations with the course materials?
    It is up to the instructor to ensure Instructor Observation and Evaluation Forms are completed and returned to PTAD at P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711-3528 to maintain their record of instruction.
  8. How far back are evaluations reviewed?
    Evaluations will be reviewed for the four-year approval period.
  9. Is an approved instructor approved to teach all courses?
    No. Instructor approval is based on topic. Please see the list of approved educational course instructors indicating topics allowed for each approved instructor on the Comptroller’s website.
  10. What happens if a course is taught by someone not approved to teach that topic?
    The course may not be valid for certification or CE credit.
  11. If I am an approved instructor and I want to add another topic to my approved list do I have to go through the trainee requirements for that course?
    Approved instructors adding a topic to their approval list do not have to meet the instructor training course requirement or the 25 percent co-teaching requirement. However, if the course has not been taken in the last five years, the course must be taken and the exam passed.
  12. Can any instructor teach a property tax laws course?
    No. Only a person with a Doctor of Jurisprudence may teach a property tax law course. A person who has attained a Doctor of Jurisprudence and has five years of experience in property tax law and currently is involved in the practice or administration of property tax law is exempt from the trainee instructor requirements.
  13. Is an approved instructor required to teach the 7-hour USPAP refresher course?
    Instructor evaluations are not required for the 7-hour USPAP refresher used for continuing education purposes. Instructor evaluations are required for 15-hour USPAP course used for certification.
  14. How does adding a topic to my approval list affect the expiration date?
    An additional approved topic will be added to the list, but be given the same expiration date as other approved topics. This allows for one common renewal date for an instructor to submit reapplication.
  15. Do instructors get CE credit for the courses they teach?
    TDLR makes this determination. Please see TDLR's website or email them with any additional questions regarding TDLR processes at continuing.educatione@tdlr.texas.gov.
  16. Does “a course on the subject matter to be taught” refer to the course orientation?
    No. The course orientation is provided to the instructor by the course developer as a tool to familiarize the instructor with the materials. It refers to a course on the topic to be submitted for instructor approval.
  17. Does the Comptroller’s office offer an instructor training course?
    At this time, the Comptroller’s office does not offer an instructor training course. There is no specific course designated to meet this requirement and the applicant may take an instructor course of his or her choice.
  18. Can I do the co-teaching of a course at the same time that I take the course to meet the requirement for taking the course and passing the exam?
    No. The course must be taken and the exam passed before co-teaching the course.
  19. Do I have to complete the instructor training before my co-teaching?
    No. Due to availability and timing of courses and instructor training programs, PTAD allows these requirements to be completed in any order.
  20. Do instructors have any additional CE requirements other than those of a regular TDLR registrant?
    Approved instructors are required to attain the CE credits required by TDLR and eight (8) hours of instructor professional development and an orientation or update of the course to be taught every four years.
  21. What happens if an instructor retires and no longer holds one of the professional designations?
    An instructor who no longer has a professional designation must reapply and continue to obtain the CE training required by someone actively holding the designation. Please see Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, Instructor Approval Procedures for more information.
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