Section 1260-05-.18 - DISTANCE EDUCATION(1) Definitions (a) The term "distance education" shall be used interchangeably with the term "correspondence courses" and includes all education through other media where the teacher and student are separated by distance or time. Distance education courses approved by the Commission must be completed within one (1) year of the date of enrollment in order for continuing education to be granted to the licensee. Distance education may include printed materials (as mentioned in 1260-05-.11), computer-based materials, and online materials.(b) The term "asynchronous course" means a course offered to students at no specific time, where the teacher and student are separated by both time and distance.(c) The term "synchronous course" means a course offered in real time, where the teacher and student are separated by distance.(2) Certification (a) A distance education course using computer-based or online materials or formats may be submitted to the Commission for analysis and possible approval if the course is certified by the Association of Real Estate License Law Officials (ARELLO) or another certifying body at the discretion of the Commission, as to technology, support of the technology, interactivity, and course design.(b) The certification requirement in subparagraph (2)(a) does not apply to a synchronous course in subparagraph (1)(c) but does apply to an asynchronous course in subparagraph (1)(b).(3) Synchronous Course Guidelines(a) Requirements Prior to Scheduled Course Date:1. Instructors must provide the course date, start time, and course link to the Commission's Director of Education and/or their designee via email no later than five (5) business days prior to each scheduled course date.2. Instructors are responsible for ensuring their students comply with all course guidelines and requirements set forth by the Commission. This includes, but is not limited to, selecting proctors. The number of proctors per course is left to the discretion of each course instructor. At minimum, one (1) proctor is required per course.(b) Student and Instructor Course Requirements:1. Computer audio, video, and a reliable and stable Internet connection are required for class and continuing education credit. Students are responsible for the performance of their own technology.2. Students are required to attend 100% of the course for continuing education credit.(c) Requirements Prior to Course Start Time:1. Students must log in and/or check in for class a minimum of ten (10) minutes prior to the noticed class start time.2. Proctors and/or instructors must verify the identification of each student with a state or federal issued method of photo identification prior to the noticed start time.(d) Requirements During the Course:1. Students must be visible on camera at all times. This does not include the use of still photographs or icons.2. Student cameras must remain stable and unmoved during the entire course broadcast.3. Students may not participate in non-course related computer-based, or non-computer based, work while attending the course.4. Students may not leave the camera. If an emergency arises, students should notify the proctor privately.5. Students are prohibited from sharing a room with other students unless the student obtains prior written permission from the provider.(e) Providers must maintain a recording of the electronically streamed course for four (4) years.(f) When practicality requires, the Commission may reasonably waive any of the above-mentioned guidelines.(4) The Commission will review these certified courses on a case-by-case basis to determine whether the curriculum will meet Commission education requirements.(5) Any course providing more than eight (8) hours of continuing education shall include a final examination which shall be executed prior to submission to the Commission for education credit.(6) Approval of distance education or correspondence course(s) will be automatically withdrawn should certification by the respective certifying body be discontinued for any reason.(7) Any distance education or correspondence version of the basic principles of real estate course required of applicants for an affiliate broker license under § 62-13-303 must include at least one (1) student interaction with a Commission-approved instructor for every five (5) hours of credit.Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1260-05-.18
New rule filed August 25, 2023; effective 11/23/2023.Authority: T.C.A. §§ 62-13-106, 62-13-203, 62-13-303, 62-13-324, and 62-13-325.