| (2) Required documentation. Documentation required
of all applicants for licensure shall include the following:
(A) Birth certificate/proof of age. Each applicant
for licensure must provide a copy of a birth certificate, and translation
if necessary, to prove that the applicant is at least 21 years of
age. In instances where a birth certificate is not available, the
applicant must provide copies of a passport or other suitable alternate
documentation.
(B) Name change. Any applicant who submits documentation
showing a name other than the name under which the applicant has applied
must present copies of marriage licenses, divorce decrees, or court
orders stating the name change. In cases where the applicant's name
has been changed by naturalization the applicant must submit the original
naturalization certificate by hand delivery or by certified mail to
the board office for inspection.
(C) Examination scores. Each applicant for licensure
must have a certified transcript of grades submitted directly from
the appropriate testing service to the acupuncture board for all examinations
used in Texas for purposes of licensure in Texas.
(D) Dean's certification. Each applicant for licensure
must have a certificate of graduation submitted directly from the
school of acupuncture on a form provided by the acupuncture board.
The applicant shall attach to the form a recent photograph, meeting
United States Government passport standards, before submitting it
to the school of acupuncture. The school shall have the Dean or the
designated appointee sign the form attesting to the information on
the form and placing the school seal over the photograph.
(E) Diploma or certificate. All applicants for licensure
must submit a copy of their diploma or certificate of graduation.
(F) Evaluations. All applicants must provide, on a
form furnished by the acupuncture board, evaluations of their professional
affiliations for the past ten years or since graduation from acupuncture
school, whichever is the shorter period.
(G) Preacupuncture school transcript. Each applicant
must have the appropriate school or schools submit a copy of the record
of their undergraduate education directly to the acupuncture board.
Transcripts must show courses taken and grades obtained. If determined
that the documentation submitted by the applicant is not sufficient
to show proof of the completion of 60 semester hours of college courses
other than in acupuncture school, the applicant must obtain coursework
verification by submitting documentation to the acupuncture board
for a determination as to the adequacy of such education or to a two
or four year institution of higher education within the United States.
The institution must be preapproved by the board's executive director
and accredited by an agency recognized as a regional accrediting body
by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or its equivalent
in another state.
(H) School of acupuncture transcript. Each applicant
must have his or her acupuncture school submit a transcript of courses
taken and grades obtained directly to the acupuncture board. Transcripts
must clearly demonstrate completion of 1,800 instructional hours,
with at least 450 hours of herbal studies.
(I) Fingerprint card. Each applicant must submit his
or her fingerprints according to the procedure prescribed by the board.
(J) Other verification. For good cause shown, with
the approval of the acupuncture board, verification of any information
required by this subsection may be made by a means not otherwise provided
for in this subsection.
(3) Additional documentation. Applicants may be required
to submit other documentation, including but not limited to the following:
(A) Translations. An accurate certified translation
of any document that is in a language other than the English language
must be submitted along with the original document or a certified
copy of the original document which has been translated.
(B) Arrest Records. If an applicant has ever been arrested,
a copy of the arrest and arrest disposition from the arresting authority
and must be submitted by that authority directly to the acupuncture
board.
(C) Malpractice. If an applicant has ever been named
in a malpractice claim filed with any liability carrier or if an applicant
has ever been named in a malpractice suit, the applicant shall submit
the following:
(i) a completed liability carrier form furnished by
the acupuncture board regarding each claim filed against the applicant's
insurance;
(ii) for each claim that becomes a malpractice suit,
a letter from the attorney representing the applicant directly to
this board explaining the allegation, dates of the allegation, and
current status of the suit. If the suit has been closed, the attorney
must state the disposition of the suit, and if any money was paid,
the amount of the settlement, unless release of such information is
prohibited by law or an order of a court with competent jurisdiction.
If such letter is not available, the applicant will be required to
furnish a notarized affidavit explaining why this letter cannot be
provided; and
(iii) a statement, composed by the applicant, explaining
the circumstances pertaining to patient care in defense of the allegations.
(D) Inpatient treatment for alcohol/substance abuse
or mental illness. Each applicant that has been admitted to an inpatient
facility within the last five years for the treatment of alcohol/substance
abuse or mental illness must submit the following:
(i) an applicant's statement explaining the circumstances
of the hospitalization;
(ii) an admitting summary and discharge summary, submitted
directly from the inpatient facility;
(iii) a statement from the applicant's treating physician/psychotherapist
as to diagnosis, prognosis, medications prescribed, and follow-up
treatment recommended; and
(iv) a copy of any contracts or agreements signed with
any licensing authority.
(E) Outpatient treatment for alcohol/substance abuse
or mental illness. Each applicant that has been treated on an outpatient
basis within the last five years for alcohol/substance abuse or mental
illness must submit the following:
(i) an applicant's statement explaining the circumstances
of the outpatient treatment;
(ii) a statement from the applicant's treating physician/psychotherapist
as to diagnosis, prognosis, medications prescribed, and follow-up
treatment recommended; and
(iii) a copy of any contracts or agreements signed
with any licensing authority.
(F) Additional documentation. Additional documentation
as is deemed necessary to facilitate the investigation of any application
for licensure.
(G) DD214. A copy of the DD214 indicating separation
from any branch of the United States military must be submitted.
(H) Other verification. For good cause shown, with
the approval of the acupuncture board, verification of any information
required by this subsection may be made by a means not otherwise provided
for in this subsection.
(I) False documentation. Falsification of any affidavit
or submission of false information to obtain a license may subject
an acupuncturist to denial of a license or to discipline pursuant
to the Act, §205.351.
(4) Substitute documents/proof. The acupuncture board
may, at its discretion, allow substitute documents where proof of
exhaustive efforts on the applicant's part to secure the required
documents is presented. These exceptions are reviewed by the acupuncture
board, a board committee, or the board's executive director on an
individual case-by-case basis.
(d) Temporary license.
(1) Issuance. The acupuncture board may, through the
executive director of the agency, issue a temporary license to a licensure
applicant who:
(A) appears to meet all the qualifications for an acupuncture
license under the Act, but is waiting for the next scheduled meeting
of the acupuncture board for review and for the license to be issued;
or
(B) has not, on a full-time basis, actively practiced
as an acupuncturist as defined under subsection (a)(9) of this section
but meets all other requirements for licensure.
(2) Duration/renewal. A temporary license shall be
valid for 100 days from the date issued and may be extended only for
another 30 days after the date the initial temporary license expires.
Issuance of a temporary license may be subject to restrictions at
the discretion of the executive director and shall not be deemed dispositive
in regard to the decision by the acupuncture board to grant or deny
an application for a permanent license.
(e) Distinguished professor temporary license.
(1) Issuance. The acupuncture board may issue a distinguished
professor temporary license to an acupuncturist who:
Cont'd... |
