SECTION 153.6. Military Service Member, Veteran, or Military Spouse Applications

(a) Definitions.

(1) "Military service member" means a person who is on current full-time military service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military service as a member of the Texas military forces, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or similar military service of another state.

(2) "Military spouse" means a person who is married to a military service member.

(3) "Veteran" means a person who has served as a military service member and who was discharged or released from active duty.

(b) The purpose of this section is to establish procedures authorized or required by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55 and is not intended to modify or alter rights or legal requirements that may be provided under federal law, Chapter 1103 of the Occupations Code, or requirements established by the AQB.

(c) Expedited application.

(1) The Board will process an application for a military service member, veteran, or military spouse on an expedited basis.

(2) If an applicant under this section holds a current license issued by another state or jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license or certification issued in this state, the Board will issue the license not later than the 30th day after receipt of the application.

(d) Waiver of fees.

(1) The Board will waive the license application fee and examination fees for an applicant who is:

(A) a military service member or veteran whose military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the requirements for a license; and

(B) a military service member, veteran, or military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the same license in this state.

(2) The executive director or his or her designee may waive the application fee of a military service member, veteran, or military spouse who is not currently licensed, but within the five years preceding the application date held a license in this state and applies for reinstatement in accordance with subsection (f)(2) of this section.

(e) Credit for military experience.

(1) For an applicant who is a military service member or veteran, the Board shall credit any verifiable military service, training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other than an examination requirement.

(2) The Board shall award credit under this subsection consistent with the criteria adopted by the AQB and any exceptions to those criteria as authorized by the AQB.

(3) This subsection does not apply to an applicant who holds a restricted license issued by another jurisdiction.

(f) Reciprocity and reinstatement.

(1) For a military service member, veteran, or military spouse who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state may apply by submitting an application for license by reciprocity and any required supplemental documents for military service members, military veterans, or military spouses.

(2) For a military service member, veteran, or military spouse who is not currently licensed, but within the five years preceding the application date held a license in this state may submit an application for reinstatement and any required supplemental documents for military service members, military veterans, or military spouses.

(3) For a military service member and military spouse who wants to practice in Texas in accordance with 55.0041, Occupations Code:

(A) the Board will issue a license by reciprocity if:

(i) the applicant submits:

(I) notice to the Board of the applicant's intent to practice in Texas by submitting an application for reciprocity and any supplemental document for military service members or military spouses; and

(II) a copy of the member's military identification card; and

(ii) no later than 30 days upon receipt of the documents required under subparagraph (A) of this paragraph, the Board verifies that the member or spouse is currently licensed and in good standing with the other state or jurisdiction.

(B) a person authorized to practice in this state under this subsection must comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to the license.

(C) The event of a divorce or similar event that affects a person's status as a military spouse shall not affect the validity of a license issued under this subsection.

Source Note: The provisions of this §153.6 adopted to be effective December 3, 2023, 48 TexReg 6903