SECTION 1.814. Military Service Member, Military Veteran, and Military Spouse

(a) Definitions.

(1) The definitions for terms defined in Occupations Code §55.001, concerning Definitions, are applicable to this section, including the terms "military service member," "military veteran," and "military spouse."

(2) for purposes of this section, "license" has the same meaning as "permit," as defined in §1.802 of this title (relating to Definitions), unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, and "licensee" includes anyone who holds a permit issued by the agency.

(b) Conflict. To the extent that provisions in this section conflict with provisions in any other section in this title, this section controls.

(c) Applicability. The provisions in this section apply to all permits as defined in §1.802 of this title, including licenses and certificates of authority for administrators under Chapter 7, Subchapter P of this title (relating to Administrators); surplus lines agents under Chapter 15, Subchapter B of this title (relating to Surplus Lines Agents); insurance professionals under Chapter 19, Subchapter I of this title (relating to General Provisions Regarding Fees, Applications, and Renewals); and insurance premium finance companies under Chapter 25, Subchapter B of this title (relating to Licensing and Regulation); and licenses issued by the state fire marshal under Chapter 34 of this title (relating to State Fire Marshal).

(d) Alternative licensing requirements. Consistent with Occupations Code §55.004, concerning Alternative Licensing for Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses, an applicant for a license who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse may complete the following alternative procedures for licensing:

(1) Resident licensing by reciprocity for military service members and military spouses. An applicant who is a military service member or military spouse and who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license may apply for a Texas resident license as provided in subsection (g) of this section.

(2) Resident licensing by reciprocity for military veterans. An applicant who is a military veteran and who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license may apply for a Texas resident license subject to the applicable qualifications for resident licenses as provided in this title and subject to subsection (f) of this section.

(3) Expired resident licenses. An applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse and whose Texas resident license has been expired for fewer than five years preceding the application date may request that TDI waive the examination requirement. An applicant requesting this waiver must submit to the applicable licensing office or division of the agency:

(A) a new license application;

(B) identification indicating that the applicant is a military service member; military veteran; or military dependent, if a military spouse;

(C) evidence that the applicant has completed all required continuing education for the periods the applicant was licensed and paid all fines as required under this title; and

(D) a request for waiver that includes an explanation that justifies waiver of the licensing examination.

(e) License renewal extension and fee exemption.

(1) As specified in Occupations Code §55.003, concerning Extension of License Renewal Deadlines for Military Service Members, a military service member who holds a license is entitled to two additional years to complete any requirements related to the renewal of the license, including continuing education requirements, and to submit a renewal application including the following:

(A) the licensee's name, address, and license number;

(B) the licensee's military identification indicating that the individual is a military service member; and

(C) a statement requesting up to two years of additional time to complete the renewal, including continuing education requirements.

(2) A military service member specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection is exempt from additional fees or penalties required under this title for failure to renew a license in a timely manner, as specified in Occupations Code §55.002, concerning Exemption from Penalty for Failure to Renew License.

(3) A military service member specified in paragraph (1) of this subsection must satisfy the continuing education requirement for which the compliance period has been extended before satisfying the continuing education requirement for any other period.

(4) A military service member serving in a combat theater, as provided for in Insurance Code §36.109, concerning Renewal Extension for Certain Persons Performing Military Service, may apply for an exemption from or an extension of time for meeting license renewal requirements, including continuing education requirements. The licensee must request the exemption or extension before the end of the applicable reporting period and must include:

(A) a copy of the order for active duty status, service in a combat theater, or other positive documentation of military service that will demonstrate that the licensee is prevented from compliance;

(B) a clear request for either an extension or exemption, or both;

(C) a statement indicating whether the request is for an extension or exemption, or both, from continuing education requirements or from license renewal;

(D) the expected duration of the assignment; and

(E) any other information the licensee believes may assist the agency or that the agency requests, on a case-by-case basis.

(f) Fee exemptions.

(1) Consistent with Occupations Code §55.009, concerning License Application and Examination Fees, the following applicants are not required to pay any applicable license application fee or examination fee that is otherwise payable to the agency:

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

(B) a military service member, military 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.

(2) The fee exemption under paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to license renewal application fees.

(3) To qualify for the fee exemption under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection, the applicant must submit as applicable:

(A) the license application, with a request for waiver of the application fee and examination fee;

(B) identification indicating that the applicant is a military service member or military veteran; and

(C) documentation that the applicant's military service, training, or education substantially meets all the requirements for the license.

(4) To qualify for the fee exemption under paragraph (1)(B) of this subsection, the applicant must submit as applicable:

(A) the license application, with a request for waiver of the application fee and examination fee; and

(B) identification indicating that the applicant is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse.

(g) Reciprocal licenses for military service members and military spouses.

(1) A military service member or military spouse who is licensed in a state with substantially equivalent requirements to those of Texas is eligible for a Texas resident license while the military service member is stationed at a military installation in Texas.

(2) A license granted under paragraph (1) of this subsection is effective for a period of three years from the date the applicant receives confirmation from the agency of receipt of the items described in paragraph (4)(A) - (C) of this subsection and may not be renewed.

(3) Consistent with 50 USC §4025a, concerning Portability of Professional Licenses of Servicemembers and Their Spouses, if military orders require the military service member to continue to be stationed in Texas past the expiration of the license as described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the licensee may apply for a new license under paragraph (1) of this subsection. A licensee seeking a new license under this paragraph must submit to the applicable licensing office or division of the agency documentation of the military order or orders requiring that the military service member continue to be stationed in Texas past the license expiration date.

(4) To apply for a license under this subsection, the applicant must provide to the applicable licensing office or division of the agency:

(A) an application notifying the agency of the applicant's intent to operate in Texas;

(B) proof of the applicant's residency in Texas and a copy of the applicant's military identification card; and

(C) evidence of good standing from the state with substantially equivalent requirements to the requirements of this state.

(5) Within 30 days after the applicant's submission of the items described in paragraph (4) of this subsection, the agency will verify the applicant's good standing status described in paragraph (4)(C) of this subsection.

(h) Administrators.

(1) A military service member or military spouse who is licensed as an administrator in a state with substantially equivalent requirements as those found in §7.1604 of this title (relating to Application for Certificate of Authority) and Insurance Code Chapter 4151, concerning Third-Party Administrators, may engage as an administrator while the military service member is stationed at a military installation in Texas.

(2) A military service member or military spouse seeking to engage as an administrator under this subsection must:

(A) submit an application notifying the agency of the military service member or military spouse's intent to engage as an administrator in Texas;

(B) submit to the agency proof of the applicant's residency in Texas and a copy of the applicant's military identification card; and

(C) show evidence of good standing from a jurisdiction with substantially equivalent requirements as those found in §7.1604 of this title and Insurance Code Chapter 4151.

(3) Notwithstanding §7.1604 of this title, a military service member or military spouse seeking to engage as an administrator under this subsection will not be assessed any application fees under that section.

(4) A military service member or military spouse authorized to engage as an administrator must comply with and adhere to all other laws and rules applicable to administrators.

(i) Expedited license procedure. Within 30 days of the filing of a license application by a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse, the agency will process the application and issue the license to an applicant who qualifies for the license under subsection (d) of this section, subject to other qualification requirements under this title.

(j) Credit for military service, training, or education.

(1) An applicant who is a military service member or military veteran may submit to the agency documentation of the applicant's military service, training, or education. Such military service, training, or education, after verification by the agency, will be credited to license requirements other than examination requirements. This subsection will not apply to an applicant who holds a restricted license issued by another jurisdiction or who has an unacceptable criminal history.

(2) If an apprenticeship is required for the license, an applicant who is a military service member or military veteran may submit to the agency documentation of the applicant's military service, training, or education that is relevant to the occupation. Such military service, training, or education, after verification by the agency, will be credited to the apprenticeship requirements.

(k) Residency. For an application for a license that has a residency requirement for license eligibility, an applicant who is a military service member or military spouse may establish residency for the purposes of this section by providing the applicable licensing office or division of the agency with a copy of the permanent change of station order or other military order requiring the military service member to be stationed in Texas, or any other documentation of residency for license eligibility permitted under this title.

(l) States with substantially equivalent requirements. For the purposes of this section, the agency will work with non-Texas jurisdictions to:

(1) identify, with respect to each type of license issued by the agency, the jurisdictions that have licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in Texas; and

(2) verify that a military service member or military spouse is licensed in good standing in a jurisdiction described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

Source Note: The provisions of this §1.814 adopted to be effective February 29, 2024, 49 TexReg 1090