http://www.mcmillin.com/

Carver Communications - Index

Carver Communications - 3.1.08 - Index

Have you had your fingerprints
taken yet? Effective January 1st, 2008, all
REALTORS® renewing or getting a new
license have to be fingerprinted. All salespeople
and brokers must submit fingerprints
to TREC to renew their licenses. If
you haven’t been fingerprinted, I have
some updated tips that may help you
through the process:
Tip #1: What to do first:
Before you do anything, you need a
FAST Print Pass. This form gives you a
number that you’ll need to make a fingerprinting
appointment, and you must complete
the form and bring it with you to your
appointment. Go to TREC's Website, enter
your TREC license number to generate
your FAST Print Pass, and print out your
form.
Tip #2: Make an appointment. (Walkins
are not accepted)
Go online to www.TREC.state.tx.us
and click on the link to get your FAST
Print Pass. Once this is obtained, you can
By Bob Leonard
Chairman, San Antonio Board of REALTORS®
An Update to Fingerprinting Tips
then click on the link that will take you to
the location sites. Be sure that once the
location is chosen, you click on a date and
time to finalize your appointment.
You may also call IBT to make an
appointment at a selected location by dialing
the following number: 1-800-467-
2080.
Be sure to arrive at your given
appointment time. Arriving a few hours
early will not enable you to be seen earlier
– others who have made appointments for
that time will be seen first.
Tip #3: Where to go to get printed
Integrated Biometric Technologies,
the vendor handling prints for the Texas
Department of Public Safety, can fingerprint
salespeople and brokers and has locations
across Texas. You can find a list of
the vendor’s locations and hours at
TREC’s Website.
Tip #4: How far in advance you should
have prints taken
Though it is possible to get finger-
March 1. 2008 REAL ESTATE NEWSLINE 3
printed one year in advance of your license
expiring, it is recommended to not go
until you have 90 days or less left to renew.
This is a courtesy to the people who have
to renew now so they are guaranteed an
appointment time.
Tip #5: How long it takes to get prints
done
On average, it takes a person 10 to
12 minutes to get fingerprints taken.
Fourteen impressions are made (each finger,
each thumb twice – once just flat and
the one where they roll your finger across
the impression block – and an impression
of all four fingers on each hand.) They
will also take your photo to be used for
internal purposes only. It takes 3-5 days to
get your results back.
Tip #6: How much it costs
It will cost $44.20 to have your
prints taken. The facilities ONLY accept
check or money order when you pay in
person. If you pay by credit card online, a
small processing fee may be applied. Cash
is not accepted.
Tip #7: If you are rejected
If your prints are rejected, you are
required to make another appointment and
go back to be reprinted. There is no cost
to be reprinted.
Tip #8: If you have problems scheduling
appointments or have questions about
the cost
Log onto TREC’s homepage at
www.TREC.state.us.org to find many
answers to your additional questions and
problems. You may also contact IBT, an
L-1 Identity Solutions Company headquarters
at 203-504-1100, located in
Connecticut, to answer questions specific
to scheduling problems and questions, cost
allocation questions, etc. The individual
locations that conduct the fingerprinting
process have nothing to do with scheduling
or cost of the process.
Tip #9: What happens if you don’t get
fingerprinted by your renewal date
Your renewal will be processed; but
at the stated expiration date, if you have
still not taken care of the fingerprinting,
your license will issue on inactive status. It
will stay inactive until you provide your
fingerprints as required by law. Although
you will not be subjected to a late renewal
fee, you will need to submit a change form
and fee to go from inactive status back to
active status.
Tip #10: How to find out when licenses
expire
Log on to TexasRealtors.com to see
a list of your members whose licenses
expire this month, and remind them about
the requirement.
I encourage you to visit
www.sabor.com to find out more information
on this topic.