TALCB directs staff to create practicum approval process and proposes new rules to accept practicum experience

At the urging of the Education and Licensing Committee, the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board directed staff to create an approval process for practicum providers and practicum courses as an alternative pathway for trainees to gain required experience.

Director Melissa Tran said the practicum program is intended to address a primary barrier to entry: finding a volunteer supervisor. "One of the biggest barriers to entry into the appraiser profession is the experience requirement," Tran told the board, noting staff found two prospective practicum providers with a combined wait list of about 100 applicants in Texas. Although a survey of appraisal management companies produced few responses, staff reported demand from prospective trainees.

General Counsel Kathleen Santos presented proposed rule language to add a definition of practicum courses, accept completion of an approved practicum program as evidence of experience credit (consistent with AQB standards), and create two new rules (22 TAC §§153.42 and 153.43) establishing approval and compliance processes modeled on existing education‑provider rules. The board voted to direct staff to establish the approval process and to publish the proposed rules for public comment.

Next steps: staff will develop application and documentation requirements for practicum providers, receive submissions from initial providers, and pursue the rule‑making process for the new sections of 22 TAC Chapter 153.