Arbitrator Registry and Application

To be listed on the registry, arbitrators must:

• Principally reside in the state of Texas
• Meet the following license and training requirements:

Prerequisites	Licensed Professionals	Attorneys
Texas License Type	Real estate broker or salesperson Real estate appraiser licensed Certified public accountant	Attorney licensed by the state of Texas
License Status	Continuous active status for 5 years	Active in good standing
Training Requirements	PTAD Arbitrator course modules on property tax law and ARB training modules Thirty (30) hours of training on arbitration and alternative dispute resolution procedures. Course must be taken from a college, university, legal trade association or real estate trade association.	PTAD Arbitrator course modules on property tax law and ARB training modules

• Agree to conduct the arbitration for the allowed fee schedule
• File the Application for Arbitrator Registry - Individuals Only (PDF) with the Comptroller's office for approval. (The application form includes filing instructions.)

Tax Code Section 41A.06 requires persons seeking to become arbitrators to complete:

• Thirty hours of training on arbitration and alternative dispute resolution procedures
• Receive training from a college, university, legal trade association or real estate trade association. The Comptroller's office does not make recommendations for specific training providers or courses.
• Does not apply to attorneys seeking to become arbitrators.
• Comptroller trainings do NOT count toward the required 30 hours of training listed above.
• The Comptroller’s four-hour training series on property tax law
• The Comptroller’s training modules established for ARB members

Comptroller trainings are available in the online Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD) Learning Portal in the following variations:

• PTAD Comprehensive Arbitrator Training Series
  Enroll in this course to complete ALL required modules:
• Arbitrator Module 1: Introduction, LBA, RBA and Arbitrator Hearing and Determination
• Arbitrator Module 2: Prohibited Communication and Appraisal
• Arbitrator Module 3: Where to Find it in the Law
• Arbitrator Module 4: Registry, Ethics, Customer Service and Appendices
• ARB Module 1: New Member ARB Training
• ARB Module 2: ARB Continuing Education Training
• PTAD Arbitrator Training Modules
  Enroll in this course if you ONLY need to complete the four Arbitrator training modules.
• PTAD ARB Training Modules for Arbitrators
  Enroll in this course if you ONLY need to complete PTAD's ARB training modules.

When registering for a new account in the new PTAD Learning Portal, current and prospective arbitrators must select Arbitrator from the role dropdown.

The PTAD Learning Portal does NOT automatically report your course completion to the Arbitration team. Email course certificates to the Arbitration Team at ptad.arbitration@cpa.texas.gov, preferably with your registry application.

Contact the Arbitration team at ptad.arbitration@cpa.texas.gov or 800-252-9121 for more information about this training.

Arbitrators may be appointed to RBA cases. Property owners who are dissatisfied with the ARB’s findings in some cases have the right to appeal the ARB’s decision. Visit the RBA webpage for more information.

Arbitrators who are licensed attorneys may be appointed to LBA cases. Property owners who believe the ARB or chief appraiser failed to comply with a procedural requirement have the right to request an arbitrator review their claim in a LBA. These are appeals dealing with procedural requirements, not value. Visit the LBA webpage for more information.

Arbitrators are required to notify the Comptroller's office within 10 calendar days concerning changes to any of the following:

• arbitrator qualifications;
• eligibility to serve in specific counties;
• contact information; or
• any material change regarding information provided in the arbitrator's registry application.

Arbitrators who are currently on the Arbitrator Registry can make changes to their information by sending an email to ptad.arbitration@cpa.texas.gov .

The Comptroller's office may remove an arbitrator from the registry if:

• the arbitrator fails or declines to renew his or her agreement to serve as an arbitrator; or
• the Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD) director determines by clear and convincing evidence that there is good cause for removal.

Grounds for Removal
Good cause for removal includes when an arbitrator:

• is not qualified or becomes unqualified;
• is not eligible or becomes ineligible;
• fails to respond or refuses to comply with Comptroller requests for information;
• violated one or more provisions of Comptroller Rules relating to Arbitrator Duties, Provision of Arbitration Services or Arbitration Determinations and Awards;
• engaged in repeated instances of bias or misconduct while acting as an arbitrator;
• engaged in fraudulent conduct; or
• engaged in the type or nature of the conduct that the PTAD director determines constitutes good cause for removal from the arbitrator registry.

Request for Removal
A person may request the removal of an arbitrator from the registry by filing a complaint within 60 calendar days of the last incident giving rise to the request. The complaint must include the following:

• a letter addressed to the PTAD director, Shannon Murphy, and signed by the complainant, that identifies the arbitrator requested to be removed and the Comptroller Rule 9.4262(b) grounds that constitute good cause for removal;
• at least one sworn statement from an individual with first-hand knowledge of the misconduct that includes detailed facts supporting the grounds for removal; and
• copies of all available communications exchanged between the arbitrator and the parties.

Requests for removal should be sent to: