89R15332 BEE-D
By: Wilson H.B. No. 5629
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the occupational licensing of military spouses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 55.004(a) and (d), Occupations Code,
are amended to read as follows:
(a) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules
for the issuance of the license to an applicant who is a military
service member, military veteran, or military spouse and:
(1) holds a current license issued by another
jurisdiction that:
(A) for a military service member or military
veteran, has licensing requirements that are substantially
equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; and
(B) for a military spouse, is similar in scope of
practice to a license issued in this state; or
(2) within the five years preceding the application
date held the license in this state.
(d) A state agency that issues a license that has a
residency requirement for license eligibility:
(1) shall adopt rules regarding documentation
necessary for an applicant who is a military service member [or
military spouse] to establish residency for purposes of this
section [subsection], including by providing to the agency a copy
of the permanent change of station order for the applicant; and
(2) may not adopt rules requiring documentation for an
applicant who is a military spouse to establish residency for
purposes of this section [or the applicant's spouse].
SECTION 2. Section 55.0041, Occupations Code, is amended by
amending Subsections (a), (b), and (e) and adding Subsection (b-1)
to read as follows:
(a) Notwithstanding any other law:
(1)[,] a military service member [or military spouse]
may engage in a business or occupation for which a license is
required without obtaining the applicable license if the member [or
spouse] is currently licensed in good standing by another
jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are
substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in
this state; and
(2) a military spouse may engage in a business or
occupation for which a license is required without obtaining the
applicable license if the spouse currently holds a license similar
in scope of practice issued by another jurisdiction and is in good
standing with that licensing authority.
(b) Before engaging in the practice of the business or
occupation, the military service member [or military spouse] must:
(1) notify the applicable state agency of the member's
[or spouse's] intent to practice in this state;
(2) submit to the agency proof of the member's [or
spouse's] residency in this state in accordance with rules adopted
under Section 55.004(d) and a copy of the member's [or spouse's]
military identification card; and
(3) receive from the agency confirmation that:
(A) the agency has verified the member's [or
spouse's] license in the other jurisdiction; and
(B) the member [or spouse] is authorized to
engage in the business or occupation in accordance with this
section.
(b-1) Before engaging in the practice of the business or
occupation, the military spouse must:
(1) notify the applicable state agency of the spouse's
intent to practice in this state;
(2) submit to the agency a copy of the spouse's
military identification card; and
(3) receive from the agency confirmation that:
(A) the agency has verified the spouse's license
in the other jurisdiction; and
(B) the spouse is authorized to engage in the
business or occupation in accordance with this section.
(e) A state agency that issues a license shall adopt rules
to implement this section. The rules must establish a process for
the agency to:
(1) identify, with respect to each type of license
issued by the agency, the jurisdictions that:
(A) have licensing requirements that are
substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in
this state; or
(B) issue licenses similar in scope of practice
to a license issued in this state; and
(2) not later than the 30th day after the date a
military service member or military spouse submits the information
described by Subsection (b) or (b-1) [Subsections (b)(1) and (2)],
as applicable, verify that the member or spouse is licensed in good
standing in a jurisdiction described by Subdivision (1).
SECTION 3. Section 55.009, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 55.009. LICENSE APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION FEES.
Notwithstanding any other law, a state agency that issues a license
shall waive the license application and examination fees paid to
the state for an applicant who is:
(1) a military service member or military veteran
whose military service, training, or education substantially meets
all of the requirements for the license; or
(2) either:
(A) a military service member or[,] military
veteran[, or military spouse] who holds a current license issued by
another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are
substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in
this state; or
(B) a military spouse who holds a current license
issued by another jurisdiction that is similar in scope of practice
to a license issued in this state.
SECTION 4. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, a state agency, as defined by Section 55.001,
Occupations Code, shall adopt, modify, or repeal the rules
necessary to implement the changes in law made by this Act.
SECTION 5. The changes in law made by this Act apply only to
an application for a license filed with a state agency, as defined
by Section 55.001, Occupations Code, on or after the effective date
of this Act. An application for a license filed before the
effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect
immediately before the effective date of this Act, and that law is
continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.