| (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.
|
