Yes. I am a smart guy, I could pick up what I need to know in one weekend of reading up on the laws. Explain to me what exactly is learned at these events that suggests they should be mandatory?
Mandatory requirements are not always a good thing. An idiot realtor can hide behind credentials. Whereas, if there were no credentials, people would spend a lot more time getting references and rating their realtors on web sites, etc.
For example, you sound like a good realtor. Do you think that you should have the same credentials as an idiot one? Wouldn't you prefer no credentials, so that people spent a lot more time listening to your references? You would get more business that way.
I bet we can all agree that there are idiots in all professions...but to turn loose thousands of idiots without knowledge of real estate law on the unsuspecting public would be a sad thing. Let's face it, people file lawsuits these days at the drop of a hat...in Texas we must take & pass the required courses, pass the RE test, take continuing education classes & carry Errors & Omissions Insurance....
Frankly, there is no way that the average person can spend a weekend and acquire all the RE law required to protect oneself in a legal transaction that can have consequences long after the sale..... I assume you have that talent & time....
To be brutally honest with you....I had no idea how ignorant I was of Texas Real Estate law until I set out to acquire a license..
I respect your right to market and sell your property as an individual....without the assistance of an agent....you are free to do so in Texas, yet 70% of those that attempt it end up listing with an agent....