The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) recently amended several rules to allow more transparency in the complaint process. These changes are a result of discussion and consideration of the Board, Board committees, and feedback from stakeholders. The changes include:
AUSTIN, TX - Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board (TALCB) is pleased to announce Melissa Tran has been promoted to Director of TALCB. Tran previously served as managing attorney in the enforcement division at TALCB.
The Director of TALCB role is a new role and comes with a restructuring of the agency to help streamline and improve customer services to license holders. Tran will oversee two teams. The enforcement team will review consumer complaints, and the licensing team will process all appraiser applications.
The Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB) has been awarded the State Appraiser Regulatory Agencies Support Grant by the Appraisal Subcommittee (ASC). The ASC has allocated more than $10 million for distribution over three years, with funding provided on an annual basis. This grant is available to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and the United States Virgin Islands. In this first year, TALCB was awarded $120,000.
AUSTIN, TX - The Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board (TALCB) is pleased to announce a significant victory for consumers in Texas. Former real estate appraiser, Daniel O’Leary, was indicted in El Paso County District Court on felony charges stemming from fraudulent appraisals he is accused of having completed and submitted to lenders as part of mortgage finance transactions guaranteed by the federal government. This criminal prosecution protects Texas consumers from O'Leary's illegal and deceptive appraisal activities.
TALCB is seeking a certified general real estate appraiser to work as an investigator in the Enforcement Division. A background in commercial appraising and appraisal review is required, and some residential work experience is preferred.
Longtime Appraiser Investigator, Jim Jacobs, died on Saturday, July 4 after a fierce battle with cancer, He worked for TALCB since 2012 as an appraiser investigator. He was an appraiser for over 40 years and a familiar face at TALCB meetings and events for more than 20 years. TALCB Enforcement Director, Troy Beaulieu said, “his quirky sense of humor and commitment to our team’s mission will be missed.” TALCB Board and staff thank Jim for all he has contributed professionally and personally to the Board.
As part of the Board’s ongoing effort to reduce burdens on applicants, TALCB changed the experience audit process. TALCB will no longer automatically request a copy of work files at the start of the audit process. Appraisal reports will now be reviewed for general USPAP compliance and competency when they are submitted. If necessary, TALCB may request a copy of work files after the initial review to complete the audit.
Due to the Presidential Disaster Declaration issued on March 13, 2020, certain governmental entities (GSE’s) have issued guidance to assist financial institutions in providing necessary services to the public. On April 14, 2020, the GSE’s adopted an interim final rule to amend the agencies’ regulations regarding appraisals of real estate for certain transactions. The interim rule outlines existing flexibilities and temporary changes to industry appraisal standards and regulations.
This past year has brought many exciting, new changes and challenges to the Board’s Standards and Enforcement Services Division (TALCB SES). Below is a summary of what we have been working on.
TALCB has adopted new rules to create an ACE program including measures to ensure compliance. These rules are located in §153.40 and §153.41 of Board rules, which became effective on September 1, 2019.
License holders can ensure the courses they take for ACE credit are approved by referencing the list of approved ACE Courses available on the TALCB website.
