What Is the Contracts-Related Course That TREC Now Requires for CE?

As a Texas real estate agent, you probably already know that the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) requires you to take 18 hours of continuing education (CE) courses to renew your license every two years. However, things are a little different this year. New education requirements go into effect on February 1, 2021. The biggest change is that license holders complete at least three hours in a contracts-related course, which we'll cover more below.

The Requirements to Renew Your Real Estate License in Texas

According to the TREC, the new guidelines for your 18 hours of CEThree Hours Contracts Required Renewal Starting February 2021 Article are as follows:

• Four hours of TREC Legal Update 1Texas Texas Legal Update I Real Estate Continuing Education

• Four hours of TREC Legal Update 2Texas Texas Legal Update Ii Real Estate Continuing Education

• Six hours of the Broker Responsibility Course (if you have been made a supervisor by your broker or if you are a broker and have sponsored one or more sales agents, served as the designated broker for a business entity that sponsors sales agents, or have been made a supervisor of other license holders).

• Three-hours in a contracts-related courseTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing Education

• Remaining hours in elective courses for a grand total of 18 hoursTexas Real Estate Continuing Education

In the past, the only required courses were Legal Update 1 and II and Broker Responsibility if applicable. Now, you'll also be required to take a contracts-related course. You can still fill the remainder of your CE hours with whatever electives you'd like.

What the Contracts-related Course Material Covers

Real estate agents are obligated to protect the interest of the consumer, and one of the ways to remain compliant is by knowing the ins and outs of contracts. When you take a required contracts-realted course, you can expect to build on the contract's material you covered in your initial Texas licensing courseTexas Real Estate License. This might include legislative changes or other contract law updates.

Other topics may include: 

• Combating fraudulent trade practices 

• How contracts are shaped by the Texas License Act

• Timely completion of documents and how it may affect the deal 

• The key elements of a standard and binding contract 

• Explaining the requirements of the contract and its terms to clients 

• The different types of contracting and the requirements to ensure the legality 

Why the Contracts-Related Course Material Is Important to Your Role

Contracting forms an important part of a real estate agent or broker’s career. It's helpful not just in their dealings with their clients, but also their employers and regulators. 

By taking a contract-related course, you'll hopefully gain a better understanding of the legal requirements in terms of walking clients through the completion of contracts. This way, you can make sure they're signing the best deal.

What Happens if You Don’t Complete a 3-Hour Contracts-Related Course for Texas CE? 

Apart from missing out on vital changes and new industry standards where contracts are concerned, agents will also not be able to renew their licenses. A three-hour contracts-related course is a requirement as of February 1, 2021, and without proof of completion of this course and the others as specified by TREC, agents will be unable to renew their license and continue their real estate trade.

How to Make Time for the Online Contracts-Related Course 

Real estate agents and brokers sometimes find themselves pressed for time as they rush from showings to client meetings. If you need to find a way to fit this new course into your schedule, we have a few recommendations:

• Block out time from your calendar to attend to course material for at least 20 minutes a few times a week. 

• Make notes to keep information on-hand and to easily continue the learning when you log on the next time. 

• Ensure there are no distractions during your study blocks. Switch off your phone and turn off the TV. 

Aceable's Contracts-Related

Aceable now offers One to Four Family Residential Contract (Resale): The New TREC Form 20-15Texas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing Education. In this course, we cover the newly approved TREC Form 20-15 and give you a brief review of contract law and TREC regulations. This course fulfills the TREC requirement. 

Is it time for you to take a contracts-realted courseTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing EducationTexas The New Trec Form 20 15 Real Estate Continuing Education? Sign up for Aceable's online course so you can fulfill the requirements from the comfort of your home. Our online course helps you fill the TREC requirements so your Texas real estate license renewal is a breeze.

*This article was updated on 10/18/2021.