The Alabama Real Estate Commission met in Montgomery on August 21, 2025. The meeting began with discussion of several topics related to license law and the upcoming changes to license law on October 1. The Executive Director’s Report was not presented at this month’s meeting. Read on to learn more about the Commissioners’ discussion and the hearings that took place. 

AREC has proposed several new or amended administrative rules. These rules are in various stages of the rulemaking process:

• Proposed Rule 790-X-1-.21: This rule deals with distance education. The current version of the rule allows asynchronous course examinations to take place virtually or in-person but only allows synchronous course examinations to occur in-person.  The proposed rule amendment would allow synchronous course examinations to take place virtually or in-person, just as with asynchronous course examinations. The Commissioners voted to move this rule forward to the next stage of the rulemaking process, which will include a period for comments by the public. 
• Proposed Rule 790-X-3-.13: This proposed rule amendment updates the RECAD Brokerage Services Disclosure Form to reflect the changes to Alabama license law made by HB 382. The Commission voted for a temporary version of this rule to go into effect on October 1, with the permanent version to follow later. 
• Proposed Rule 790-X-3-.14: This proposed rule amendment updates the language used to discuss Agency Disclosure Office Policies to reflect the changes to Alabama license law made by HB 382. The Commission voted for a temporary version of this rule to go into effect on October 1, with the permanent version to follow later. 
• Proposed Rule 790-X-3-.16: This proposed rule amendment addresses advertising requirements for real estate teams. The Commission voted for a temporary version of this rule to go into effect on October 1, with the permanent version to follow later.
• Proposed Rule 790-X-3-.17: This proposed rule relates to HB 230, which impacts buyer agreements and went into place on April 18, 2025. The Commission voted to table this rule pending further consideration.

Most cases this month related in some way to criminal charges. Some individuals appeared before the Commission to talk about their previous criminal history and request the ability to obtain a license, others appeared because of a complaint that they had not reported their arrest to the Commission, and others appeared because of a complaint that they had been found guilty of criminal charges. One common theme ran through all such cases: honestly and humility are crucial. Remember – the law requires that you report both arrests and convictions to AREC within 10 days. Your notification must be made in writing and sent via certified mail. Ala. Code § 34-27-31.