Property Tax Consultants Frequently Asked Questions

Education / Continuing Education Questions

REGISTRATION QUESTIONS

Who is required to be registered under the Property Tax Consultant (PTC) Occupations Code?
Are there any acts prohibited as a Property Tax Consultant?
What are the basic requirements to become a registered Property Tax Consultant?
If I am an attorney, do I have to register or be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant?
If I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), do I have to register or be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant?
If I hold a real estate broker, salesperson or appraiser license, are my registration and education requirements different?
Do the required educational classroom hours have to be in specific subjects?
What is the registration fee?
When does my registration expire?
My registration has expired. How long do I have to renew my registration?
What is required to renew my TDLR Property Tax Consultant registration?
If I am a Texas licensed attorney, a CPA, or have a Texas Real Estate Broker, Salesperson, or Appraiser license, do I have to be employed by or sponsored by a senior property tax consultant to renew my license?
What do I have to do to become a Senior Property Tax Consultant?
Does my experience with a county appraisal district appraising and assessing property count towards the experience requirements for the senior property tax consultant examination?
If I am a CPA, or have a Texas Real Estate Broker, Salesperson, or Appraiser license, can I sponsor or hire registered property tax consultants?
If I am a Texas licensed attorney, can I sponsor or hire registered property tax consultants?
If I am an attorney, but not licensed to practice law in the state of Texas, can I sponsor, employ or be associated with a registered property tax consultant?
How do I find out if a person is registered as a Texas Property Tax Consultant?

1. Who is required to be registered under the Property Tax Consultant Occupations Code?

Any person performing or supervising others performing property tax consulting services for compensation as defined under Title 7, Chapter 1152 of the Property Tax Consultant Occupations Code.

2. Are there any acts prohibited as a Property Tax Consultant?

Yes, there are. See the PTC Occupations Code E-1.

3. What are the basic requirements to become a registered Property Tax Consultant?

You must:

Be at least 18 years old
Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
Submit proof of completing at least 40 hours of classroom education including: 8 hours on the laws and rules relating to property tax consulting, 16 hours on appraisal and valuation, 8 hours on property tax consulting and 8 hours on ethics
Be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant
Complete a Property Tax Consultant Application
Pass the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) approved examination by a score of at least 70%
Submit a fee of $275 ($225 registration fee plus an application fee of $50)

4. If I am an attorney, do I have to register or be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant?

No, you are exempt from registration and do not have to be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant.

If you want to hire Property Tax Consultants you will have to pass the Senior Property Tax Consultant examination and receive a letter from TDLR stating you are eligible to sponsor Property Tax Consultants.

5. If I am a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), do I have to register or be sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant?

No, you are exempt from registration.

If you want to hire Property Tax Consultants, you will have to register as a Property Tax Consultant and meet the requirements to become a Senior Property Tax Consultant before you may hire Property Tax Consultants.

6. If I hold a real estate broker, salesperson or appraiser license, are my registration, education and examination requirements different?

Yes, your registration, education and examination requirements are different.

If you hold an active real estate broker, salesperson or appraiser license or certificate license under Chapters 1103 and 1101 of the Texas Occupational Code, you must provide proof of completion of at least four (4) classroom hours of education programs or courses on the laws and legal issues in Texas related to property tax consulting services instead of forty (40) classroom hours.

If you hold an active real estate broker, salesperson or appraiser license, you may register without having to take the PTC examination.

An active licensed real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser does not have to register if their consulting is limited to farms, ranches or single family residences only.

7. Do the required educational classroom hours have to be in specific subjects?

Yes, the classroom hours must come from these fields of study;

Property taxation
Property tax system
Property tax administration
Ethical standards or
General principles of appraisal, accounting, or law as they relate to property tax consulting services

8. What is the registration fee?

The registration fee is $275

9. When does my registration expire?

Registration expirations are staggered throughout the year according to the date of issuance. Registrations expire on the first anniversary of the date your certificate was issued.

10. My registration has expired. How long do I have to renew my registration?

You may renew your registration up to 18 months after the license expiration date.

If your registration has been expired for more than 18 months but less than three years, you may submit a "Request to Executive Director for Expired License Renewal" form with the required renewal fee.

If your registration has been expired for more than three years you may not renew your registration. You must apply for a new registration.

You may be subject to enforcement actions, including administrative penalties and sanctions, for operating with an expired registration (expired less than 18 months) or operating without a registration (expired 18 months or more).

11. What is required to renew my TDLR Property Tax Consultant registration?

You will need to:

Complete the renewal form.
Provide proof of 12 hours of continuing education hours taken during your registration period. The twelve hours must include: three hours of Texas law and rules, one hour of ethics, four hours of appraisal and four hours of property tax consulting.
If you are renewing as a Property Tax Consultant, you must attach a Certificate of Employment or Association with a Senior Property Tax Consultant.
If your initial PTC registration was obtained as a Texas licensed attorney, CPA, licensed real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser and the license/designation is current, you do not have to attach the certificate of employment or association with a Senior Property Tax Consultant.
Remit the renewal fee of $275.

TDLR mails renewal registrations approximately 60 days prior to renewal.

12. If I am a Texas licensed attorney, a CPA, or have a Texas real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser license, do I have to be employed by or sponsored by a Senior Property Tax Consultant to renew my license?

No.

13. What do I have to do to become a Senior Property Tax Consultant?

You must:

Be at least 18 years old
Hold a high school diploma or its equivalent
Complete a Senior Property Tax Consultant Application
Show proof of at least 25 credits (Section 13 of the Application)
Provide proof by letter or resume of having performed or supervised property tax consulting services as the applicant’s primary occupation for at least four (4) of the seven (7) years preceding the date of application (Section 11 of the Application)
Attach the fee of $315 ($240 registration fee plus an application fee of $75)
Pass the TDLR Senior PTC examination by a score of at least 70% or hold a CMI professional designation from the Institute for Professionals in Taxation

14. Does my experience with a county appraisal district appraising and assessing property count towards the experience requirements for the senior property tax consultant’s examination?

No. Performing appraisal and assessment services for a county appraisal district does not qualify as "property tax consulting services" as the term is defined in the PTC Law.

15. If I am a CPA, or have a Texas real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser license, can I sponsor or hire registered property tax consultants?

Only CPAs, Texas real estate brokers, salespersons, or appraisers who have successfully passed the senior property tax consultant examination and have received the appropriate certificate of registration are allowed to sponsor or hire registered property tax consultants.

16. If I am a Texas licensed attorney, can I sponsor or hire registered property tax consultants?

Only Attorneys that successfully pass the senior property tax consultant examination and receive a letter from TDLR establishing their eligibility may sponsor or hire property tax consultants.

17. I am an attorney, but not licensed to practice law in the state of Texas, can I sponsor, employ or be associated with a registered property tax consultant?

No. You must be a Texas licensed attorney who has successfully completed the senior property tax consultant examination or be a registered senior property tax consultant.

18. How do I find out if a person is registered as a Texas Property Tax Consultant?

Find registered Texas Property Tax Consultants by using the TDLR License Data Search.

EDUCATION / CONTINUING EDUCATION QUESTIONS

Where can I find a list of courses that satisfy the 40 hour pre-license education requirement?
Where can I find property tax consultant continuing education (CE) providers and course information?
When must a CE course be taken?
There are no continuing education classroom courses in my area. Are other course delivery methods available?
Does a course count towards CE hours if the provider is not listed on TDLR’s web site as an approved provider?
Will my continuing education for my real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser license apply towards my property tax consultant license continuing education?
How is completion of my educational course/program recorded and retained?
Can I get partial credit for completing part of a required continuing education course?
Will I be able to go to TDLR’s web site and look up my completed continuing education hours?
What should I do if I don’t receive a continuing education certificate from the provider or if my completed continuing education hours are not posted on the TDLR web site?
Will college course hours count towards continuing education for license renewal?
How long must I keep a copy of my continuing education certificate of completion?
If I was on active duty in the National Guard, do I have any additional time to complete continuing education and other requirements related to the renewal of my license?

1. Where can I find a list of courses that satisfy the 40 hour pre-license education requirement?

Please see the Pre-License Education List on the TDLR website.

2. Where can I find property tax consultant continuing education (CE) providers and course information?

See the List of Continuing Education Providers.

3. When must a CE course be taken?

CE hours must be completed within the term of the current registration, in the case of a timely renewal. For a late renewal, the CE hours must be completed within the one year period immediately prior to the date of renewal.

4. There are no continuing education classroom courses in my area. Are other course delivery methods available?

Classes are offered on the Internet. Refer to the list of registered Property Tax Consultant CE Providers and select the Offers Internet Courses button.

5. Does a course count towards CE hours if the provider is not listed on TDLR’s web site as an approved provider?

No.

6. Will my continuing education for my real estate broker, salesperson, or appraiser license apply towards my property tax consultant license continuing education?

Yes. We accept courses approved by the Texas Real Estate Commission and the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certificate Board. You must provide a copy of your current TREC/TALCB license with a copy of the CE certificate issued. Please make sure that the certificate states the amount of credit for classroom hours. If the certificate does not state the amount of hours, the provider of the course needs to submit a letter stating the amount of hours earned.

Licensees must have 3 hours of Texas Law and Rules, 1 hour of Ethics, 4 hours of Appraisal and 4 hours of Property Tax Consulting related topics.

7. How is completion of my educational courses recorded and retained?

Providers are required to submit your continuing education course completion information to TDLR. If you have taken a course from one or more providers, each provider must submit that information to TDLR and also issue you a certificate of course completion.

8. Can I get partial credit for completing part of a required continuing education course?

No. TDLR does not accept partial completion of a continuing education course.

9. Will I be able to go to TDLR’s web site and look up my completed continuing education hours?

Yes. You can view your completed courses by using the Continuing Education Courses Lookup on the TDLR website. If you have a question about the information posted on the web site, please check with the provider first. If you continue to have questions, please contact TDLR: by phone, (512) 463-6599 or toll-free in Texas (800) 803-9202; or by e-mail ce@license.state.tx.us.

10. What should I do if I don’t receive a continuing education certificate from the provider or if my completed continuing education hours are not posted on the TDLR web site?

If you do not receive your course completion certificate within 15 days or the course is not posted after seven days of course completion, contact the course provider for resolution. If you continue to have questions, please contact TDLR by e-mail: ce@license.state.tx.us.

11. Will college course hours count towards continuing education for license renewal?

College courses will only count towards CE if they have been approved by TDLR for continuing education.

12. How long must I keep a copy of my continuing education certificate of completion?

You are required to keep a course completion certificate for one year after completing the course.

13. If I was on active duty in the National Guard, do I have any additional time to complete continuing education and other requirements related to the renewal of my license?

Yes. If you were a member of the state military forces or a reserve component of the armed forces of the United States, such as the National Guard, and you were ordered to active duty on or after September 1, 2004, you have additional time equal to the total number of years or parts of years that the you served on active duty.

When you apply to renew your license you must provide documentation of the date your active duty began and the date it ended.

If you did not renew this license in a timely manner, you are exempt from paying a late renewal fee if you furnish the Department with military documentation indicating you were on active duty during the time that your license expired.

EXAMINATION QUESTIONS

Is an exam required for a property tax consultant?
How do I apply to take the appropriate examination?
What are the fees to take an examination for the Property Tax Consultant and the Senior Property Tax Consultant license?
What are the questions on the examination based on?
How long is the exam and how many questions are on it?
Does TDLR provide study material or a sample exam?
If I fail the exam, is my fee refundable?
How often can I take the exam?
Can I cancel and reschedule my exam?

1. Is an exam required for a property tax consultant?

Yes. An examination is required for both the property tax consultant and the senior property tax consultant license. You must pass either exam by at least 70%.

If you are a licensed real estate sales person, broker or appraiser, an examination is not required to obtain the PTC license.

2. How do I apply to take the appropriate examination?

Examinations are administered by TDLR’s third party vendor, PSI. After submitting your application and eligibility, PSI will mail you a postcard with information about scheduling your exam.

The Candidate Information Bulletin (CIB) for Property Tax Consultants provides you with information about the examinations and scheduling process.

3. What are the fees to take an examination for the Property Tax Consultant and the Senior Property Tax Consultant license?

The fees are in the CIB and are paid directly to PSI.

4. What are the questions on the examination based on?

The examination questions are based on the Property Tax Consultant Occupations Code, the Administrative Rules for Property Tax Consultants, the Property Tax Code, and general appraisal techniques.

5. How long is the exam and how many questions are on it?

The Property Tax Consultant exam is 90 minutes in length with 50 questions. The Senior Property Tax Consultant exam is 120 minutes in length with 100 questions.

6. Does TDLR provide study material or a sample exam?

No. TDLR does not provide study material or sample exams. However, PSI provides a complete content outline along with references for the examinations. This information is located in the CIB mentioned above.

7. If I fail the exam, is my fee refundable.

No .

8. How often can I take the exam?

There is no limitation on the number of times you may take the examination but the examination fee applies each time you take the examination.

9. Can I cancel and reschedule my examination?

Consult the Candidate Information Bulletin for cancelling and rescheduling your examination.

ENFORCEMENT QUESTIONS

How do I file a complaint against a Property Tax Consultant?

There are two ways to file compliant against a licensed Property Tax Consultant or someone acting as a Property Tax Consultant. You can use the Online Complaint Process or you can download and complete the Complaint Form. The completed form should be mailed to Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Attn: Enforcement-Intake, P.O. Box 12157, Austin, TX 78711. Please include copies of all documentation related to the complaint.

COMMUNICATION QUESTIONS

Where can I get a copy of the law and rules?
How will I be notified of rule and program changes?
How do I contact the agency for further information?

1. Where can I get a copy of the law and rules?

The Property Tax Consultant Law and the PTC Administrative Rules are available online.

2. How will I be notified of rule and program changes?

You will receive notification of rule and program changes if you sign up for the TDLR E-Mail Notification List. We recommend you subscribe to this service as soon as possible to receive updated information.

3. How do I contact the agency for further information?

By email at: CS.Property.Tax.Consultants@license.state.tx.us

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