SECTION 3.29. Registration of a Military Service Member, Military Veteran, or Military Spouse

(a) Definitions.

(1) "Active duty" means 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) "Armed forces of the United States" means the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.

(3) "Military service member" means a person who is on active duty.

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

(5) "Military veteran" means a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.

(b) Landscape architectural registration eligibility requirements for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.

(1) Verified military service, training, or education will be credited toward the registration requirements, other than an examination requirement, of an Applicant who is a military service member or a military veteran.

(2) An Applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse may be eligible for registration if the Applicant:

(A) Holds an active landscape architectural registration issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing or registration requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; or

(B) Held an active landscape architectural registration in this state within the five years preceding the application.

(3) As soon as practicable after a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse files an application for registration, the Board shall process the application, and if the applicant qualifies for registration under this subsection, issue the registration.

(4) This subsection does not apply if the Applicant holds a restricted registration issued by another jurisdiction or has an unacceptable criminal history.

(c) Alternative temporary registration procedure for military spouses.

(1) A military spouse may qualify for a temporary landscape architectural registration if the spouse:

(A) holds a current landscape architectural license or registration in good standing in another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements for landscape architectural registration in this state;

(B) notifies the Board in writing of the spouse's intent to practice Landscape Architecture in this state;

(C) submits to the Board required information to demonstrate eligibility for temporary landscape architectural registration; and

(D) receives a verification letter from the Board that:

(i) the Board has verified the spouse's license or registration in the other jurisdiction; and

(ii) the spouse is issued a temporary landscape architectural registration.

(2) The Board will review and evaluate the following criteria when determining whether another jurisdiction's licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to the requirements for a landscape architectural registration in Texas:

(A) whether the other jurisdiction requires an applicant to pass the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE);

(B) any experience qualifications required by the jurisdiction to obtain the license or registration; and

(C) any education credentials required by the jurisdiction to obtain the license or registration.

(3) The military spouse must submit the following information to the Board to demonstrate eligibility for temporary landscape architectural registration:

(A) a written request for the Board to review the military spouse's eligibility for temporary landscape architectural registration;

(B) sufficient documentation to verify that the military spouse is currently licensed or registered in good standing in another jurisdiction and has no restrictions, pending enforcement actions, or unpaid fees or penalties relating to the license or registration;

(C) proof of residency in this state;

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

(E) proof the military service member is stationed at a military installation in Texas.

(4) A temporary landscape architectural registration issued under this subsection expires three years from the date of issuance or when the military service member is no longer stationed at a military installation in Texas, whichever occurs first. The registration may not be renewed.

(5) Except as provided under the subsection, a military spouse who receives a temporary landscape architectural registration under this subsection is subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and standards governing the practice of Landscape Architecture in this state.

(6) A temporary landscape architectural registration issued under this subsection may be revoked if the military spouse:

(A) fails to comply with paragraph (5) of this subsection; or

(B) the military spouse's license or registration required under paragraph (1)(a) of this subsection expires or is suspended or revoked.

(7) The Board shall not charge a fee for the issuance of a temporary landscape architectural registration under this subsection.

Source Note: The provisions of this §3.29 adopted to be effective November 23, 2014, 39 TexReg 9007; amended to be effective March 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 2161; amended to be effective April 5, 2020, 45 TexReg 2183