88R10766 DIO-D By: Miles S.B. No. 1493 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the licensing in this state of a person licensed in another jurisdiction to practice marriage and family therapy or professional counseling. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 502.262 to read as follows: Sec. 502.262. LICENSE BY ENDORSEMENT. (a) The executive council shall issue a marriage and family therapist license or a marriage and family therapist associate license, as applicable, to an applicant who holds a current, unrestricted license in another jurisdiction that maintains licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements under this chapter. An applicant for a license under this section must: (1) present proof to the executive council that the applicant is licensed in good standing as a marriage and family therapist or marriage and family therapist associate, as applicable, in that jurisdiction; (2) provide to the executive council information regarding the status of any other professional license that the applicant holds or has held in this state or another jurisdiction; (3) present proof to the executive council that the applicant has passed a jurisprudence examination required by the executive council; (4) meet the qualifications required by Section 502.252; (5) not have committed an act that is grounds for disciplinary action under Section 502.351; (6) submit to the executive council a current photograph that meets the requirements for a United States passport; and (7) meet any additional requirements provided by executive council rule. (b) The executive council shall adopt rules for issuing a provisional license under Section 502.259 to an applicant for a license by endorsement who encounters a delay that is outside the applicant's control in submitting to the executive council the documentation required by this section. SECTION 2. Subchapter G, Chapter 503, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 503.315 to read as follows: Sec. 503.315. LICENSE BY ENDORSEMENT. (a) The executive council shall issue a professional counselor license to an applicant who holds a current, unrestricted license in another jurisdiction that maintains licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements under this chapter. An applicant for a license under this section must: (1) present proof to the executive council that the applicant is licensed in good standing as a professional counselor in that jurisdiction; (2) provide to the executive council information regarding the status of any other professional license that the applicant holds or has held in this state or another jurisdiction; (3) present proof to the executive council that the applicant has passed a jurisprudence examination required by the executive council; (4) meet the qualifications required by Section 503.302; (5) not have committed an act that is grounds for disciplinary action under Section 503.401; (6) submit to the executive council a current photograph that meets the requirements for a United States passport; and (7) meet any additional requirements provided by executive council rule. (b) The executive council shall adopt rules for issuing a provisional license under Section 503.310 to an applicant for a license by endorsement who encounters a delay that is outside the applicant's control in submitting to the executive council the documentation required by this section. SECTION 3. Not later than December 1, 2023, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council shall adopt the rules necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.