Texas Real Estate License Courses
We are designated to provide real estate Courses online for Texas brokers and sales agents by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, We are a leading provider of e-Learning technology, content and services that helps organizations successfully manage all aspects of their e-Learning initiatives.
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Fingerprint Requirements (and FAST Print Pass)
See the TREC web site for more detailed information
A recently enacted law (HB 1530, 80th Legislature, regular session) requires any person applying for or renewing a broker or salesperson license on or after January 1, 2008 to provide their fingerprints, in a specified format, in order to enable an FBI criminal background check to be performed. These new fingerprint requirements apply only to brokers and salespersons. They do not apply to other TREC licensees, such as inspectors. Once fingerprints are on file with DPS, a licensee will not need to be fingerprinted for subsequent renewals.
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Where to Get Your Fingerprints Taken
1) Integrated Biometric Technologies (IBT) is the vendor that handles the collecting and submitting of fingerprints to the FBI via the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). IBT gathers the fingerprints and takes a photograph. To have your fingerprints taken by IBT requires an appointment.
Note that you must first obtain a FAST Print Pass from TREC in order to make an appointment with IBT. IBT has locations all over Texas.
IBT fingerprinting locations
2) Psychological Services Incorporated (PSI) administers examinations for TREC. Fingerprinting services should be available by February 2008 at most PSI locations that administer certification examinations for the commission.
You must obtain a FAST Print Pass from TREC in order to be fingerprinted at a PSI location.
(PSI fingerprinting locations available by February 1, 2008)
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Fast Facts on the Fingerprint Requirement
Here are some brief points to sum up the new fingerprint requirement:
Fingerprints that an applicant or licensee may have submitted for any other reason, such as previous employment or for a state issued license, will not be acceptable for TREC licensure.
You will need to schedule your fingerprint appointment on the web or by telephone.
The fingerprints must be in the FBI’s required format and must be taken at an authorized DPS site. Currently, there are 70 locations statewide where electronic fingerprints can be taken.
If you are renewing your license, you should get your fingerprints taken at least ten (10) days before your license expiration date to avoid any renewal delay and assure continued licensure.
If you have received a renewal card referencing the FAST Print Pass form, you can renew your license without getting fingerprinted if you renew prior to January 1, 2008.
The FAST Print Pass form for electronic fingerprinting be available January 1, 2008.
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Fingerprinting FAQs
Q: I already have my fingerprints on file because they were required for a license issued by another state agency. Can TREC just use those fingerprints?
A: No. DPS requires that a separate set of fingerprints be submitted and managed for each participating agency.
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Q: Can I renew my license in inactive status without having my fingerprints on file with DPS for TREC?
A: Yes, you may renew a salesperson or broker license in inactive status without having your fingerprints on file with DPS for TREC. If you later wish to return to active status, please be aware that you must first provide your fingerprints to DPS for TREC, and then take the usual steps for salespersons returning to active status or for brokers returning to active status.
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Q: How far in advance SHOULD I get my fingerprints taken?
A: If you get electronically fingerprinted ten (10) days before your license expires, that should be sufficient to avoid any renewal delay and assure continued licensure.
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Q: How far in advance MAY licensees have their fingerprints taken? If they renew December 2008 can they have the fingerprints taken January 2008?
A: TREC understands that there may be opportunities for people to get fingerprinted through arrangements at industry association conventions. Every such opportunity will be of valuable assistance, alerting more people to the requirement and then helping them to take care of it. In order to accommodate this as fully as possible, TREC will make a licensee’s required FAST Print Pass available and accept fingerprints up to one year (12 months) prior to the expiration date.
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Q: How long does it take to schedule a fingerprinting appointment with IBT?
A: The interval between the time you schedule your appointment (online or by telephone) to the actual on-site service will be no more than seven (7) business days - but routinely two (2) to three (3) days. NOTE: Same day appointments are not available. Also, not all IBT locations offer appointments each day. Follow this link to the complete IBT list of locations and days of operation.
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Q: Will I have to submit new fingerprints every time I renew?
A: No. If your fingerprints are already on file for your TREC-issued license, you will not need to get re-fingerprinted. Your fingerprints are on file for your TREC issued license only if they are submitted to IBT specifically in connection with your application to obtain or renew a TREC broker’s or salesperson’s license. Having provided fingerprints for another purpose, such for a mortgage broker license or a handgun permit, will NOT suffice.
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Q: How are the fingerprints submitted to TREC? Electronically or via mail?
A: All fingerprints are submitted to the FBI through the DPS, using their contractor, IBT. If your prints are taken by IBT, they will submit the prints on your behalf, and TREC will be notified of the results. Since ultimately all fingerprints must be converted to digital images in order to be submitted for the running of a background check, it is far easier to start with electronic fingerprints. Traditional "hard card" fingerprints are still allowed, but they involve several special requirements and issues. If you absolutely feel you "must" do a traditional "hard card" fingerprint, there are some specific "hard card" FAQs at the end of this document.
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Q: What is a FAST Print Pass and how do I get one?
A: FAST Print Pass is a form that you must complete and submit when you go to be fingerprinted.
To obtain your FAST Print Pass, you will need to have either your license number or your 9-digit Agency identifier (also known as your TREC ID Number). Your license number can be found on your existing license or via the Licensee Info Search on TREC's website. Your TREC ID Number can be found on your education evaluation letter and on your notification of eligibility to take an examination letter.
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Q: So, I need a FAST Print Pass in order to be fingerprinted. Now, How do I Get Fingerprinted?
A: The collecting and submitting of fingerprints to the FBI is handled through the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). They use an exclusive vendor, Integrated Biometric Technologies (IBT), to gather the fingerprints and take a photograph. IBT requires an appointment.
You must first obtain a FAST Print Pass from TREC in order to make an appointment with IBT. IBT has locations all over Texas.
IBT fingerprinting locations
Another Option: Psychological Services Incorporated (PSI) administers examinations for TREC. By February 2008, fingerprinting services should be available at most PSI locations that administer certification examinations for the commission.
You must obtain a FAST Print Pass from TREC in order to be fingerprinted at a PSI location.
PSI fingerprinting locations available soon
The Texas Association of REALTORS® (TAR) may also make arrangements with IBT to provide fingerprinting at one or more TAR sponsored events, such as the mid-winter convention.
If you are a trade organization or other large organization (with 30 or more people needing to be fingerprinted at the same time/place), it may be possible for you to arrange for IBT to come and provide fingerprinting services for you. If you would like to explore this, call IBT at 1-888-467-2080
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Q: How do I schedule my fingerprinting appointment with IBT?
A: You may schedule your fingerprinting appointment with IBT ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 2008
Online at http://www.ibtfingerprint.com/
OR by phone at 1-888-467-2080
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Q: Can you confirm that those whose renewals are for January, February, or March, 2008, can renew prior to January 1, 2008, without having to fulfill the fingerprinting requirement?
A: Any renewal done before January 1, 2008, is NOT subject to the new fingerprinting requirements. They take effect January 1, 2008. You may renew a license expiring in January or February before January 1, 2008, but you may not renew a license expiring in March before that date.
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Q: Can new applicants have this done prior to submitting an application with TREC if they have already submitted education to be evaluated?
A: Yes, as long as they have a TREC supplied FAST Print Pass.
Q: For individuals who are just applying to take the salesperson exam, how and when are they notified about their fingerprinting requirements?
A: The education evaluation letter includes an insert explaining the fingerprinting requirement. The application materials, both online and printed forms, will explain the fingerprinting requirement. The letter informing an applicant that they are eligible to go ahead and take the examination will also advise them of the fingerprinting requirement.
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Q: Do those who have applied for the TREC licensing exam prior to January 1, 2008, but have not taken the test by that date have to fulfill fingerprinting requirement?
A: No. Only those applying on or after January 1, 2008, for initial or renewal licenses are subject to the fingerprint requirement and FBI background check. A DPS background check will be completed on applications submitted prior to January 1, 2008. Please note that applications expire after six months. If an application expires and a person must submit another application after January 1, 2008, fingerprinting will be required at that time.
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Q: How much does it cost to have fingerprints taken?
A: IBT charges $44.20 for fingerprint image capture and submission. You may pay in advance by credit card online when you are scheduling an appointment or by check at the time of fingerprinting. Subsequent background checks cost $19.25 each. TREC staff anticipates including this in the renewal application fee at a future date.
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Q: How do I pay?
A: If you schedule online or by phone, you can pay at that time by credit or debit card. If you pay at the site, payment must be by check or money order…no credit or debit cards…no cash.
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Q: Okay, what happens if I renew my license on time and do everything right (right fee, took my MCE, completed the right forms) BUT I didn’t get my fingerprints done by the expiration date on my license?
A: Your renewal will be processed, but at the stated expiration date, if you have still not taken care of the fingerprinting, your license will issue on inactive status. It will stay inactive until you provide your fingerprints as required by law. Although you will not be subjected to a late renewal fee, you will need to submit a change form and fee to go from inactive status back to active status.
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Q: Can a person who has a license expiring in January or February of 2008 renew the license without getting fingerprinted prior to January 1, 2008 if they have not yet completed their MCE?
A: Yes. If a person has a license that expires in January or February of 2008, they can renew their license on active status before January 1, 2008 without first completing their MCE and without having to get fingerprinted. If they do not complete their MCE before the expiration date of the license, they would owe a $200 late MCE fee and would have to complete their MCE within 60 days.
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"Hard Card" FAQs (if you cannot get your fingerprints taken electronically by IBT or PSI)
Q: What are the special requirements and issues with "hard cards"?
A: There are three parts to this answer - A, B and C below:
In addition to any fees paid to law enforcement for fingerprint capture, a payment of $44.20 must accompany the mailing of the Hard Card to IBT.
- A. A special card, which must be obtained from TREC, must be used. Fingerprints submitted on a generic card will be rejected, causing a delay, as the person will have to begin all over again. This special card is available at the TREC offices in Austin and through the mail upon request.
- B. Hard card fingerprints have an extremely high error rate, sometimes as high as 33%! Other agencies using hard card fingerprints have found numerous instances where applicants and licensees had to get their fingerprints re-taken two, three, or even more times in order to get clean, readable prints. In addition to being an incredible bother, this may delay the issuance of a license or a renewal. Each time you get "re-printed" on a hard card, there is typically an additional fee. IBT's error rate (the percentage of scanned prints that get rejected and need to be redone) is a fraction of that for hard cards, below 2%. Plus, IBT will re-take the prints one additional time at no cost if they are rejected.
- C. Hard card fingerprints take much longer for the DPS and FBI to process. TREC receives results from digitally imaged fingerprints submitted by IBT in 24 to 72 hours. Fingerprints submitted to IBT on a hard card take several weeks to process.
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Q: Do the agents need to use a specific "card" to get fingerprints taken? If yes, where would they obtain this card?
A: If you are going to use a hard card for fingerprints, the card MUST be obtained from TREC. No other card, even on the FBI’s form, will work because of required encoding that is placed on these cards to enable them to be identified with a specific, authorized agency. This is an FBI requirement.
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Q: How do I get a “hard card” from TREC?
A: Call, write, or, drop by our offices at 1101 Camino La Costa, Austin.
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We are designated to provide real estate Courses online for Texas brokers and sales agents by the Texas Real Estate Commission. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, We are a leading provider of e-Learning technology, content and services that helps organizations successfully manage all aspects of their e-Learning initiatives.
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Broker, appraiser and agent Current News We are designated to provide real estate Courses online for Texas drivers by the Texas Real Estate Commission
Texas Real Estate License Courses Online
Broker, appraiser and agent Current News We are designated to provide real estate Courses online for Texas brokers and sales agents by the Texas Real Estate Commission
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