Florida Continuing Ed...online in 2002??

[Kathy in FL]

:?:
Last continuing education I took in Florida (in '99 I think) the instructor (Go Steve!) promised that we would be one of the last classes required to sit our butts in an actual chair and that all continuing ed would, in the future, be online. I was thrilled to hear it because at that time, I was nursing a new baby and had to run upstairs every break to feed the munchkin. (Let's all feel pity for my poor sister, stuck upstairs in a motel room with a new baby, a three year old and a five year old all day!)

Well, seems like I time it this way on purpose, but I'm nursing another new munckin and guess what? It's time for continuing ed again!! Please, have pity on my poor sister and tell me that SOMEBODY is offering online education in Florida. I haven't heard a word about it and all the advertisements I've seen have been for on-site classes.


Thanks,
Kathy in FL

 

[Rich Heyn]

Kathy:

The Appraisal Institute offers excellent on-line continuing education on a national basis. I'm currently in the process of developing the on-line version of Appraising Manufactured Housing, which should be available in a few months. In the meanwhile, there are many others available.

You'll have to check to see if Florida accepts any on-line CE. Most states do, some don't.

You can check it out at AI website, appraisalinstitute.org

Have fun,

Rich Heyn

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

Sorry Kathy, not yet. The Florida Board is working on it but, have not yet agreed to accept OnLine CE and will have to approve the online courses prior to offering them.

Word is, not this round. It likely will not be available for this years renewal but will be for the 2004 renewal.

 

[Kathy in FL]

Just got an email from Steve Williamson that his online course will be available mid-year. Woooo-hooooo!
Kathy

 

[Pamela Crowley (Florida)]

I hope that's true! I replied with what I had heard from Frank Gregoire just this past Thursday.

Florida Division of Real Estate just laid off (got rid of) many of their support staff. I believe this will really slow down an already sluggish process and the powers that be had not yet agreed to allow any online CE let alone the individual classes.

If anyone can be first to have an online class approved, it will be Steve Williamson.

 

[Francois K. Gregoire]

:?:
Last continuing education I took in Florida (in '99 I think) the instructor (Go Steve!) promised that we would be one of the last classes required to sit our butts in an actual chair and that all continuing ed would, in the future, be online. I was thrilled to hear it because at that time, I was nursing a new baby and had to run upstairs every break to feed the munchkin. (Let's all feel pity for my poor sister, stuck upstairs in a motel room with a new baby, a three year old and a five year old all day!)

Well, seems like I time it this way on purpose, but I'm nursing another new munckin and guess what? It's time for continuing ed again!! Please, have pity on my poor sister and tell me that SOMEBODY is offering online education in Florida. I haven't heard a word about it and all the advertisements I've seen have been for on-site classes.


Thanks,
Kathy in FL

Kathy,

The Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board initiated rule making nearly two years ago to allow continuting education by "Distance Learning". Standards were developed and rules were drafted, revised, noticed, revised, etc. ad nauseam. It has been a long, tough process.

If all goes well, the rule for distance education for CE Credit will become FINAL in February. Course providers will be required to submit their offerings to the FREAB/Division of Real Estate for approval prior to offering them for credit in Florida. Several providers, as mentioned in other posts, have courses developed already. Hopefully, some of them will obtain FREAB/Division of Real Estate Approval in time for Florida Appraisers to benefit from them prior to their November 2002 renewal date.

Frank

 

[Kathy in FL]

Thanks everyone for your replies. I eagerly await the new online classes. It will really be a boon for parents and people in rural areas (like me!) who don't live in or near a town where classes are offered.

Kathy

 

[R.Rechkemmer]

I just received a letter from Bert Rodgers School asking me to support "distance learning" continuing education by notifying the local legislatures. I too attend Steve Williamsons' 3 day class. I also use the Bert Rodgers at home book/test for my real estate license, but tend to put it off. As much as I dislike sitting in class for a long weekend, I enjoy seeing other appraisers in the area and have the benefit of discussion in class which the internet course may not have. Useful information and potential problems come out of these discussions. I guess there's pros and cons to on-line continuing ed!

I know what you mean though with children- I have 3 too!

 

[Julio E. Sune Jr. (FL)]

Just received some info (by mail) on CE from Bert Rodgers--seems they are active and pro-online CE for appraisers. They hope to have something before 11-2002. That would be good!!! :

 

[Francois K. Gregoire]

Just received some info (by mail) on CE from Bert Rodgers--seems they are active and pro-online CE for appraisers. They hope to have something before 11-2002. That would be good!!! :

Hi All,

Just to be clear, the Florida Real Estate Appraisal Board will hopefully finalize a rule to allow Appraiser Continuing Education by Distance Learning in February. The current Florida Real Estate Appraisal License Law ALLOWS the FREAB to adopt rules concerning Appraiser Continuing Education.

The card from Bert Rodgers Schools urges support of bills recently introduced which would REQUIRE the FREAB to accept Distance Learning Courses for Appraiser Continuing Education. The FREAB has not discussed the bill and has not taken any position on it.

The bills introduced also REQUIRE the Florida Real Estate Commission to accept Distance Learning Courses for Pre-Licensing, Post-Licensing and Continuing Education for Real Estate Brokers and Salespersons.

These initiatives were hotly debated during the recent Mid-Winter Business Meetings of the Florida Association of REALTORS. After intese discussions in the Professional Development, Legislative and Executive Committees, an effort to oppose the bills was defeated.

Hopefully, the bills will pass and become law.