89R11072 RAL-F By: Ward Johnson H.B. No. 4261 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the licensing of certain social workers; imposing a fee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Section 505.355 to read as follows: Sec. 505.355. ALTERNATIVES TO EXAMINATION. (a) The executive council by rule shall establish alternative methods, other than an examination, of examining the competency of an applicant for a baccalaureate or master social worker license who has failed the applicable examination two or more times. The rules adopted under this subsection must set a fee for the administration of the alternative method of examining competency. In adopting the rules, the executive council shall consider the recommendations of the work group established under Subsection (b). (b) The executive council shall establish a work group to solicit input from stakeholders and make recommendations on the development and implementation of alternative methods under Subsection (a). The work group must consist of persons with a background in social work. SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council shall adopt the rules required by Section 505.355, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.