87R6325 KKR-D
By: Romero, Jr. H.B. No. 3626
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the licensing of certain out-of-state applicants as a
psychologist, marriage and family therapist, professional
counselor, or social worker.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 501.2525(c), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(c) Subsection (a)(2)(A) does not apply to an applicant who:
(1) is licensed in good standing in another state to
independently practice psychology; and
(2) has independently practiced psychology in that
state for at least the two [five] years preceding the date the
application is submitted.
SECTION 2. Section 501.256(c), Occupations Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) The executive council may waive the discipline and
professional segment of the examination requirement for an
applicant who:
(1) is a specialist of the American Board of
Professional Psychology; [or]
(2) in the executive council's judgment, has
demonstrated competence in the areas covered by the examination; or
(3) meets the criteria provided by Section
501.2525(c).
SECTION 3. Section 502.252, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:
(d) Subsections (c)(2) and (c)(3) do not apply to an
applicant who:
(1) is licensed in good standing in another state to
independently practice as a licensed marriage and family therapist;
and
(2) has independently practiced as a licensed marriage
and family therapist in that state for at least the two years
preceding the date the application is submitted.
SECTION 4. Section 502.2545(a), Occupations Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The executive council may waive the requirement that an
applicant for a license as a licensed marriage and family therapist
pass the examination required by Section 502.254 if the applicant:
(1) is a provisional license holder under Section
502.259 and the executive council determines that the applicant
possesses sufficient education and professional experience to
receive a license without further examination; [or]
(2) holds a license issued by another licensing agency
in a profession related to the practice of marriage and family
therapy and the executive council determines that the applicant
possesses sufficient education and professional experience to
receive a license without satisfying the examination requirements
of this chapter; or
(3) meets the criteria provided by Section 502.252(d).
SECTION 5. Section 503.302, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (a-1) and (a-2) to read as follows:
(a-1) Subsection (a)(4) does not apply to an applicant who:
(1) is licensed in good standing in another state to
independently practice as a professional counselor or as an art
therapist; and
(2) has independently practiced as a professional
counselor or an art therapist in that state for at least the two
years preceding the date the application is submitted.
(a-2) The executive council may waive the requirement that
an applicant pass the license examination required by Subsection
(a)(5) if the applicant meets the criteria provided by Subsection
(a-1). The applicant must pass the jurisprudence examination.
SECTION 6. Section 505.3575, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any other licensing requirement of this
subchapter:
(1) the executive council may not require an applicant
who is licensed in good standing in another state to pass a
licensing examination conducted by the executive council under
Section 505.354 if an applicant with substantially equivalent
experience who resides in this state would not be required to take
the licensing examination; [and]
(2) the executive council may waive the requirement
that an applicant not otherwise described by Subdivision (1) pass a
licensing examination conducted by the executive council under
Section 505.354 if the applicant:
(A) is licensed in good standing in another state
to independently practice as a social worker; and
(B) has independently practiced as a licensed
social worker in that state for at least the two years preceding the
date the application is submitted; and
(3) the executive council may issue a license to an
applicant who is currently licensed in another state to
independently practice social work if:
(A) after an assessment, the executive council
determines that the applicant:
(i) demonstrates sufficient experience and
competence, subject to Subsection (c);
(ii) has passed the jurisprudence
examination conducted by the executive council under Section
505.3545; and
(iii) at the time of the application, is in
good standing with the regulatory agency of the state in which the
applicant is licensed; and
(B) the applicant presents to the executive
council credentials that the applicant obtained from a national
accreditation organization and the executive council determines
that the requirements to obtain the credentials are sufficient to
minimize any risk to public safety.
(c) An applicant satisfies the requirements of Subsection
(a)(3)(A)(i) if the applicant:
(1) is licensed in good standing in another state to
independently practice as a social worker; and
(2) has independently practiced as a licensed social
worker in that state for at least the two years preceding the date
the application is submitted.
SECTION 7. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an application for a license submitted on or after the effective
date of this Act. An application for a license submitted before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
date the application was submitted, and that law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.