SECTION 365.22. Licensing Procedures for Military Service Members, Military Veterans and Military Spouses

(a) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who held a license issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners in the five years preceding their application date will be issued the same license type as that which was previously held.

(b) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who hold a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirement for the license in this state will be issued the same license type as that which is held in the other jurisdiction.

(c) The Board will identify which out-of-state licenses held by military service members, military veterans and military spouses have substantially equivalent licensing requirements on a case-by-case basis by comparing the out-of-state jurisdiction's requirements at the time the out-of-state license was issued to the Board's current requirements.

(d) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who do not qualify for a license under Subsection (a) or (b) of this section may request that the Executive Director review the military service member's, military veteran's or military spouse's alternative credentials, including training, education and experience for the purposes of granting prerequisites to obtaining a license.

(e) The Board shall process an application submitted by a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse as soon as practicable. Applicants deemed qualified will be issued a license and information on the requirements to renew the license in 12 months.

(f) Licensing and examination fees payable to the Board are waived for military service members, military veterans and military souses as provided by Chapter 55 of the Texas Occupations Code. Late fees incurred while on active duty are waived for military service members.

(g) Military spouses who do not wish to obtain a Texas plumbing license may apply, at no cost, for their out-of-state license to be recognized instead by submitting:

(1) proof of Texas residency, including, but not limited to, a copy of the permanent change of state order for the military service member to whom the spouse is married;

(2) a copy of the spouse's military identification card; and

(3) a copy of the out-of-state license showing that it is current and in good standing at the same time of their application.

(h) A military spouse's application for out-of-state recognition will be presumed to show their intent to practice in Texas.

(i) If the Board determines that the jurisdiction where the military spouse is currently licensed has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for a Texas license as provided for by Subsection (c) of this section, then the military spouse may engage in plumbing in Texas for a maximum of three (3) years from the date of recognition without a Texas license.

(j) Military spouses approved to use their out-of-state license to engage in plumbing in Texas pursuant to Section 55.0041 of the Texas Occupations Code must comply with Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code and all other applicable laws and regulations.

(k) Military service members and military veterans who do not hold a current out-of-state license or who have not held a Texas license in the five (5) years preceding their application may have their military experience credited toward license eligibility and apprenticeship requirements by submitting evidence of:

(1) verified military service (DD Form 214 or equivalent);

(2) training in plumbing or a related field; and

(3) education in plumbing or a related field.

(l) Military service members and military veterans who do not hold a current out-of-state license or who have not held a Texas license in the five (5) years preceding their application must not have a restricted license in another jurisdiction or an unacceptable criminal history to be eligible to sit for an examination for licensure.

Source Note: The provisions of this §365.22 adopted to be effective September 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 3774; amended to be effective November 23, 2022, 47 TexReg 7685