(a) Terms used in this section have the meanings assigned by Chapter 59 of this title, unless the context indicates otherwise.     
      (b) To renew a registration expiring before May 1, 2021, a registrant must complete 12 hours of continuing education in courses approved or recognized by the department. Except as provided in Texas Occupations Code, §1152.204(b), the continuing education hours must include the following:      
        (1) three hours of instruction in Texas state law and rules that regulate the conduct of registrants;       
        (2) one hour of instruction in ethics;       
        (3) four hours of instruction in appraisal; and       
        (4) four hours of instruction in property tax consulting.       
      (c) To renew a registration expiring on or after May 1, 2021, a registrant must complete 24 hours of continuing education in courses approved or recognized by the department. Except as provided in Texas Occupations Code, §1152.204(b), the continuing education hours must include the following:      
        (1) eight hours of instruction in Texas state law and rules that regulate the conduct of registrants;       
        (2) four hours of instruction in ethics;       
        (3) six hours of instruction in appraisal; and       
        (4) six hours of instruction in property tax consulting.       
      (d) The continuing education hours must be completed within the term of the current registration, in the case of a timely renewal. For a late renewal of a registration expiring before May 1, 2021, the continuing education hours must be completed within the one-year period immediately prior to the date of renewal. For a late renewal of a registration expiring on or after May 1, 2021, the continuing education hours must be completed within the two-year period immediately prior to the date of renewal.     
      (e) A registrant may not receive continuing education credit for attending the same course more than once during the one-year period for which the course is approved.     
      (f) A registrant shall retain a copy of the certificate of completion for a course for two years after the date of completion. In conducting any inspection or investigation of the registrant, the department may examine the registrant's records to determine compliance with this subsection.     
      (g) To be approved under Chapter 59 of this title, a continuing education provider's course must be dedicated to instruction in one or more of the topics listed in subsections (b) and (c), and the continuing education provider must be registered under Chapter 59 of this title.     
      (h) A continuing education course recognized by the department under Texas Occupations Code, §1152.204(b) is not required to be approved under Chapter 59 of this title, and the provider of such a course is not required to be registered under Chapter 59 of this title.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §66.25 adopted to be effective February 1, 2006, 31 TexReg 487; amended to be effective July 1, 2007, 32 TexReg 3984; amended to be effective December 1, 2019, 44 TexReg 7182