TX
Texas House Bill HB4721

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

Texas House Bill HB4721

Voted on by House
 
Out of Senate Committee
 
Voted on by Senate
 
Governor Action
 
Bill Becomes Law
 

Caption

Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.

Impact

If passed, HB 4721 would lead to significant changes in state laws governing mental health practice. For instance, the bill allows for applicants who are licensed in good standing in another state to potentially bypass certain examinations if they have equivalent experience, which could promote greater mobility for licensed professionals. This will likely enhance the availability of mental health services throughout Texas, particularly where there is a lack of local providers. Moreover, the changes could standardize licensing procedures making them more uniform across state lines, which might attract more practitioners to Texas.

Summary

House Bill 4721 aims to amend the Occupations Code by revising the requirements for obtaining licenses for various mental health professionals including marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers. The bill specifically introduces criteria that facilitate the licensing of individuals who have been licensed in other states, allowing them to expedite their licensure process in Texas. By doing so, the bill aims to address the shortage of qualified mental health professionals, particularly in underserved areas, by making it easier for out-of-state professionals to practice in Texas.

Contention

While supporters advocate for the bill as a necessary modernization of Texas' mental health licensing framework, opponents may raise concerns regarding the potential for diminished standards in licensing if experienced professionals from less regulated environments are allowed to bypass rigorous examinations. Critics worry that ensuring public safety and maintaining high practice standards should not be compromised for the sake of convenience. Overall, the dialogue surrounding HB 4721 reflects the ongoing tension between increasing access to mental health services and upholding quality assurance in professional practice.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Occupations Code

  • Chapter 502. Marriage And Family Therapists
    • Section: 151
    • Section: New Section
    • Section: 2545
    • Section: 259
  • Chapter 503. Licensed Professional Counselors
    • Section: 201
    • Section: 2015
    • Section: 302
    • Section: 3025
    • Section: 308
  • Chapter 505. Social Workers
    • Section: 3575

Latest HB4721 Activity

Companion Bills

TX SB51

Identical Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.

Previously Filed As

TX HB1167

Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.

TX SB47

Relating to the licensing of marriage and family therapists, marriage and family therapist associates, professional counselors, professional counselor associates, and social workers, including certain out-of-state applicants.

TX SB1493

Relating to the licensing in this state of a person licensed in another jurisdiction to practice marriage and family therapy or professional counseling.

TX SB1491

Relating to the licensing in this state of a person licensed in another jurisdiction to practice psychology, marriage and family therapy, or professional counseling.

TX HB5289

Relating to the professional counselors licensure compact.

TX HB667

Relating to the licensing and regulation of music therapists; requiring an occupational license; authorizing fees.

TX HB2557

Relating to the Licensed Professional Counselors Compact; authorizing fees.

TX SB1100

Relating to the Licensed Professional Counselors Compact; authorizing fees.

TX HB3905

Relating to the eligibility to act as a supervisor in certain counties for an applicant for a license as a professional counselor.

TX HB173

Relating to the licensing and regulation of genetic counselors; requiring an occupational license; authorizing a fee.

Similar Bills

MI SB0144

Health occupations: physical therapists; prescription requirement for physical therapy treatment; eliminate, and make other modifications to the practice of physical therapy. Amends secs. 17801, 17820, 17822, 17824 & 17825 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17801 et seq.) & adds sec. 17825a.

MI SB0668

Health occupations: physical therapists; prescription requirement for physical therapy treatment; eliminate, and make other modifications to the practice of physical therapy. Amends secs. 17801, 17820 & 17824 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17801 et seq.) & repeals sec. 17819 of 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.17819).

PA HB1398

Further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for exemption from licensure examination, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restriction on use of title "licensed professional art therapist" and related titles; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal, records and fees and for unlawful practice.

PA SB786

Further providing for legislative intent, for definitions, for license required, for State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Counselors, for powers and functions of board, for qualifications for license, for procedures for licensing, for exemption from licensure examination, for reciprocity, for endorsement of out-of-State licenses and for reinstatement of license; providing for restriction on use of title "licensed professional art therapist" and related titles; and further providing for penalties, for license renewal, records and fees and for unlawful practice.

CA SB1002

Workers’ compensation: licensed clinical social workers.

TN HB0521

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, Chapter 11, relative to music therapy.

TN SB0898

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, Chapter 11, relative to music therapy.

PA HB563

Providing for licensing and regulating the practice of music therapy; and making editorial changes.