(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.
[(a)The Board may issue an initial
license or registration to an applicant who is a military spouse and
holds a current license issued by another state that has licensing
requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements
for the license or registration.]
(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.
[(b)The Board may reinstate the license
or registration of an applicant who is a military spouse if the license
or registration was current at some point during the five (5) years
preceding the date the application is submitted.]
(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.
[(c)After reviewing the credentials
of an applicant who meets the criteria set forth in subsections (a)
or (b) of this section, the Executive Director may waive any prerequisite
for obtaining a license or registration. The Executive Director may
also waive a prerequisite if the applicant holds a current license
issued by another jurisdiction that has a reciprocity agreement with
Texas for the license.]
(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.
[(d)In addition to any required application(s),
an individual who meets the criteria set forth in subsection (a) or
(b) of this section, must submit proof that his or her spouse is currently
serving on active duty.]
[(e)In lieu of the standard method(s)
of demonstrating competency for a particular license, and based on
the applicant's circumstances, the Board may use alternative methods
when reviewing an application submitted by an individual who meets
that criteria set forth in subsection (a) or (b) of this section.
The alternative method(s) may take into consideration any combination
of the following:]
[(1)education;]
[(2)continuing education;]
[(3)examinations (written and/or practical);]
[(4)letters of good standing;]
[(5)letters of recommendation;]
[(6)work experience; or]
[(7)other relevant information approved by the Executive
Director.]
[(f)Any information requested in
connection with an application reviewed using the method described
in subsection (e) of this section shall be submitted in a form and
manner prescribed by the Board.]
(e)[(g)] The Board shall process
an application submitted by a military service member, military
veteran, or military spouse [an individual who meets the
criteria in subsection (a) or (b) of this section and issue the corresponding
license or registration] 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.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the proposal and found it to be within the state agency's legal authority
to adopt.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on June 24, 2022
TRD-202202361 Lynn Latombe
General Counsel
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: August 7, 2022
For further information, please call: (512) 936-5216
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