The Texas Real Estate Inspector Committee (TREIC) convened on October 13 at the Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) headquarters in Austin. The meeting included updates from subcommittees, discussions on education requirements, and consideration of license reciprocity with other states.
The Standards of Practice (SOP) Subcommittee presented its initial draft of proposed changes to the SOPs. This review has been ongoing for nearly two years. Most changes are minor, but one significant proposal involves moving three sections from the appliance section to the HVAC section in inspection reports. The committee discussed concerns that this shift could confuse consumers and might require a revision to the Property Inspection Report Form. The SOPs and form were sent back to the subcommittee for further review.
Another suggested change would require inspectors to keep inspection reports accessible for at least four years after an inspection, aligning with the statute of limitations for filing complaints.
According to TREIC Chair Lee Warren, “The first set of actual proposed SOP changes, including a possible report form change, will likely be recommended for proposal to the Commission at the January 20, 2026 TREIC meeting. I would encourage all stakeholders to get involved with this process sooner rather than later. The SOP Subcommittee meetings can be attended by all interested parties online.”
If recommended changes are approved in January, they may be forwarded to TREC commissioners in February for further consideration or public comment. The earliest possible adoption of new SOP changes would be at the May 2026 Commission meeting, with an effective date determined upon final approval.
In education matters, the committee approved a recommendation concerning when students should complete their 40-hour Texas Practicum as part of prelicensure requirements. Currently, there is no rule about when this practicum must be completed, which has occasionally led students to begin before finishing necessary coursework. To address this issue, TREIC recommends requiring completion of all required coursework prior to starting the practicum. This rule change will be considered by TREC at its November meeting and will include an opportunity for public input.
On license reciprocity between Texas and other states, Licensing Division staff explained that requests are handled individually based on requirements in each state and whether applicants have passed national exams.
Chair Lee Warren announced his departure from TREIC after 13 years of service: “I have been honored to have served on this committee for the last 13 years. I am proud of what we have all accomplished in that time, but it could not have been done without the vast number of people that rarely get recognized for the efforts that they put in. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to serve over the last 13 years, and I will continue to be involved in the industry for years to come.”
Meeting materials and recordings are available online. The next TREIC meeting is scheduled for January 20, 2026; attendees can participate either in person or via livestream.
