Educational Course Approval Frequently Asked Questions

The Property Tax Assistance Division (PTAD) is required to approve all certification courses required for property tax professionals registered with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Please see the list of approved certification courses and the expiration date of approval on the Comptroller's website.

Please refer to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Property Tax Assistance Division, Educational Course Approval Program Guidelines, complete the Form 50-783, Educational Course - Approval Request and the Checklist for Submission of Educational Course for Approval Review. Course approval requests and materials must be submitted to PTAD 90 days in advance of delivery date.

Educational courses must deal with one of the following topics: 1) appraisal standards and methodology; 2) tax assessment and collection practices; 3) ethics; 4) laws and rules; or 5) Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP).

Yes. The list of approved certification courses includes the number of CE credits approved for each.

Yes. Under Property Tax Code Section 5.05, the Comptroller's office may approve publications relating to the appraisal of property and the administration of taxes, "including materials published by The Appraisal Foundation (TAF), the International Association of Assessing Officers (IAAO), or other professionally recognized organizations, for use in the administration of property taxes." PTAD approved all courses offered by or through TAF, IAAO and the Appraisal Institute (AI) for CE credit for the number of CE hours assigned by TAF, IAAO or AI, as applicable.

No. CE is earned for course work only. CEs will be granted for taking the class, regardless of whether the examination is taken, passed or failed.

Review courses must be submitted for CE approval by the program provider

PTAD approves only educational courses required for certification purposes under TDLR rules. Other non-certification courses, however, may be submitted for approval as CE programs.

You may contact TDLR at cs.tax.professionals@tdlr.texas.gov with your request. Certification requirements are part of TDLR's rules and PTAD does not have authority over them.

Professional development programs do not qualify for CE credit.

Yes. Educational course sponsors are required to request students complete Form 50-799, Instructor Observation and Evaluation Form and return them to PTAD at P.O. Box 13528, Austin, Texas 78711-3528. In the absence of a sponsor, the instructor is responsible for returning the forms.