What do you mean I missed a question?!
Today I finished a required course in Texas RE called Broker Responsibility. The exam I just finished said I got one question incorrect. What?! Me?! More on that later... But the bottom line is it's a course I'm happy to take. We should all stay on our game. Period. The reason I signed up for class all of a sudden is two-fold. Really, it's many-fold.
First, I came across a discussion online that was basically agents ranting about it being too easy for agents to get a license. Now there's a rant I'm not used to. I usually see people complaining about how hard it is to get something. But this was an ongoing rant about how easy it is! OK. You got my attention!
One agent said online courses shouldn't be allowed. It's just too darn easy to skim and pass. OK! I agree with that line of thinking. But (sshh) I still want the convenience of taking mine online! One said he wished they would administer an IQ test first. Ha! Can you imagine? One said if an applicant fails too many times, retakes should not be an option. Ha! Not bad. Not bad... I only took it once, so I will agree. But a lot of others would, uh, hide under the table?
Since I am, by nature, not a big fan of red tape, I don't like the idea of making entry of anything too difficult and also prefer the popular vote and/or survival of the fittest method, so I think the discussion is amusing. But, at the same time.... yes. You should have to earn things. There should be a minimum level of proficiency prior to getting your ticket to call yourself a pro. And perhaps that minimum level should be a little less like limbo. I do think sometimes people just see how low they can go. For sure. And people can go really low.
Second, I logged in to review my own timeline of what courses I need to take and by when. In Texas, once a licensed broker for a while, like me, we are required by the Texas Real Estate Commission to take 15 hours of CE every 2 years. Of those 15 hours, 6 hours must include TREC Ethics and TREC Legal Updates. Darnit, wouldn't you know, I am due for CE soon. My broker's license is up for renewal by October 31, 2013. And beside my login, there in big, bold, red letters...
This licensee may be subject to MCE Requirements - which mandates completion of 15 hours of MCE courses (including the 3 hr TREC Legal Update course and the 3 hr TREC Ethics course).
Now don't get me wrong. I like to learn. It's why I'm on the forums I'm on. And I've already taken way more than the required hours in previous, less hectic years. But when you have to do something by a certain date or you lose something critical like your license, it's mildly stressful. So I am in class way early!
So... here is the question I missed:
If a respondent fails to send either a written request for a hearing or a or a written notice of agreement and payment of administrative penalty to TREC within a 20 day period, what is the consequence?
a. The commission will send another request and extend it 3 more days. Um. 1/2 a second later. No.
b. The commission will revoke his real estate license. Uh. Maybe?
c. The commission will suspend his real estate license. Uh oh. Maybe?
d. The commission will give him a reprimand until they hear from them. No hand smacking.
The correct answer is b. The commission will revoke his real estate license. I am so glad I don't know that answer first hand! Never had an issue with my licensing board and never intend to. So, class... happy to signup.
Taking classes and taking them on time and actually knowing the material presented... it is the right thing to do by your clients and it keeps you from knowing what's on the walls in the principal's office. And it keeps fellow real estate pros from wanting to throw you off the bus! I am so happy I don't know the answer to that one question! So. So. So. Happy.
Now let's get to the fun stuff, class!
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