Tristar Academy Inc, referred to as “Tristar Academy,” “we,” “us,” or “our,” respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information of individuals who access our website, enroll in our courses, or otherwise interact with our services. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, store, disclose, and safeguard your information.
By accessing www.mytristaracademy.com or enrolling in any course or service offered by Tristar Academy, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to this Privacy Policy.
We will not share your opt-in to an SMS campaign with any third party for purposes unrelated to providing you with the services of that campaign. We may share your Personal Data, including your SMS opt-in or consent status, with third parties that help us provide our messaging services, including but not limited to platform providers, phone companies, and any other vendors who assist us in the delivery of text messages.
All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you register, enroll in courses, complete forms, communicate with our team, or use our website. This information may include but is not limited to:
- Full legal name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Government issued photo identification
- Real estate license number and licensing jurisdiction
- Course completion records and certificates
- Payment and transaction information (processed through third party payment processors)
We may also automatically collect certain technical and usage information when you visit our website, including:
- Internet Protocol address
- Browser type and version
- Device information
- Pages visited and time spent on the site
- Login activity and course progress
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information collected for legitimate educational and business purposes, including but not limited to:
- Processing course registrations and payments
- Providing access to live and self paced courses
- Verifying student identity as required by state regulatory agencies
- Issuing certificates of completion
- Reporting continuing education credits to applicable licensing authorities
- Communicating course related notices, updates, and support messages
- Maintaining internal records for compliance and auditing purposes
- Improving our website, services, and student experience
- Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
3. Disclosure of Information
Tristar Academy does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may disclose your information only in the following circumstances:
- To state real estate commissions and regulatory bodies for licensing and continuing education reporting
- To examination providers such as PSI Services LLC when required for exam eligibility verification
- To third party service providers who assist with payment processing, shipping of materials, email communications, and technical support
- When required by law, subpoena, court order, or governmental request
- To protect the rights, property, safety, and operations of Tristar Academy
4. Live Classes, Video Conferencing, and Recording
Certain courses are delivered live via Zoom or other video conferencing platforms (“Video Conference Platforms”). By enrolling in or attending a live class, you acknowledge and agree to the following:
Recording Notice and Consent. Live class sessions conducted via Zoom or other Video Conference Platforms may be recorded in audio, video, and/or transcript form. By joining a live session, you consent to being recorded, including your voice, image, likeness, and any statements or questions you make during the session.
Educational Purpose Only. Recordings are made solely for legitimate educational and compliance purposes, including but not limited to: verifying student attendance and participation as required by the Maryland Real Estate Commission (MREC), the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission, the Virginia Real Estate Board, and other applicable regulatory authorities; supporting continuing education credit reporting and compliance audits; quality assurance and instructor training; and improving course content and delivery.
Educational Dialogue, Not Advice or Admission. Discussions, comments, questions, and informal remarks made by instructors, staff, or students during a live class are part of open educational dialogue and are provided for general educational purposes only. They do not constitute legal, financial, tax, or professional advice, and are not official statements of Tristar Academy policy. No statement made during a recorded class session should be construed as a binding representation, guarantee, or admission by Tristar Academy, its instructors, staff, or any individual participant.
Confidentiality of Recordings. Class recordings are maintained by Tristar Academy for internal educational, compliance, and administrative purposes and are not made publicly available except as described above or as required by law. Students may not record, rebroadcast, download, distribute, or publicly share any portion of a live class session, in any format, without Tristar Academy’s prior written consent.
Other Participants. Because live classes are conducted in a group setting, your image, voice, and statements may be visible or audible to, and captured in recordings alongside, other students, instructors, and staff. By participating, you consent to appearing in recordings together with other class participants.
Third-Party Platform. Video Conference Platforms such as Zoom are operated by third parties and are governed by their own privacy policies and terms of service, which are not controlled by Tristar Academy. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any Video Conference Platform used for your course.
Retention. Class recordings are retained in accordance with Section 6 (Data Retention) of this Privacy Policy and applicable regulatory recordkeeping requirements.
Legal Process. Notwithstanding the educational purpose of class recordings, Tristar Academy may be required to produce recordings in response to a valid subpoena, court order, regulatory inquiry, or other legal process, and nothing in this section limits Tristar Academy’s obligations under applicable law.
5. Identity Verification and Compliance
Certain courses require identity verification. You acknowledge and agree that you may be required to upload valid government issued photo identification before certificates are released or credits are reported. Failure to provide required identification may result in delayed or denied certification without refund.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill educational, regulatory, and legal obligations. Course completion records and certificates may be retained for extended periods as required by state licensing authorities.
7. Data Security
We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your personal information. However, no system is completely secure. You acknowledge that transmission of information over the internet is at your own risk, and Tristar Academy cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Student Responsibilities
You are responsible for maintaining accurate account information and safeguarding your login credentials. Tristar Academy is not responsible for unauthorized access resulting from your failure to protect your account information.
9. Third Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third party websites. Tristar Academy is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, or security of third party sites. Accessing such websites is at your own discretion.
10. Children’s Privacy
Tristar Academy does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of eighteen. If we become aware that information from a minor has been collected, we will take reasonable steps to permanently delete & remove it.
11. No Guarantee of Exam or Licensing Outcome
Completion of a Tristar Academy course, including live, self-paced, or continuing education courses, does not guarantee that you will pass any state licensing examination or that any state agency will issue, renew, or reinstate a real estate license or other credential. Tristar Academy is not responsible for a student’s failure to pass an examination or to obtain, maintain, or renew any license, and no refund is owed on that basis alone.
12. Code of Conduct
Tristar Academy expects all students to engage respectfully with instructors, staff, and fellow students during live and online courses. Tristar Academy reserves the right to mute, remove, or otherwise restrict a student’s participation in a live class or Video Conference Platform session in the event of disruptive, abusive, or unlawful conduct, without refund of course fees.
13. Intellectual Property
All course materials, including slides, instructor scripts, workbooks, recordings, and other content provided as part of a Tristar Academy course, are the copyrighted property of Tristar Academy or its licensors. Except as necessary for your personal use in completing a course, you may not copy, reproduce, record, distribute, publicly display, or create derivative works from any course materials without Tristar Academy’s prior written consent.
14. Platform and Technical Interruptions
Tristar Academy is not responsible for interruptions to a live class or online course caused by internet connectivity issues, Video Conference Platform outages, or other technical failures outside of Tristar Academy’s reasonable control. Students experiencing a significant interruption during a required live session should contact Tristar Academy promptly to discuss make-up options.
15. Governing Law
This Privacy Policy and any dispute arising from your use of Tristar Academy’s website or services shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland, without regard to its conflict of laws principles, and any legal action shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in Maryland.
16. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on our website and continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
17. Contact Information
If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, please contact us at:
Tristar Academy
15630 Old Columbia Pike Ste E #136
Burtonsville, MD 20866
Phone: 240-701-6327
Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]
Cookie Notice
Cookie Use Disclosure
Tristar Academy uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance website functionality, improve user experience, and analyze site performance.
Cookies are small data files stored on your device when you visit our website. These cookies may include:
- Essential cookies required for site functionality and security
- Performance cookies used to understand website usage
- Analytics cookies used to measure traffic and engagement
How We Use Cookies
Cookies help us:
- Maintain secure user sessions
- Remember user preferences
- Monitor site performance and functionality
- Improve content and services
Managing Cookies
You may control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect website functionality and your ability to access certain features.
Consent
By continuing to use our website, you consent to the use of cookies as described in this Cookie Notice.