By: Zaffirini S.B. No. 918
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the licensing and regulation of orthotists and
prosthetists.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 605.254, Occupations Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 605.254. EXEMPTIONS FROM OR SUBSTITUTES FOR LICENSE
REQUIREMENTS. (a) The commission by rule may exempt a [A] person
[is entitled to an exemption] from one or more of the academic,
clinical training, or examination [the license] requirements
established under Section 605.252.
(b) To be eligible for an exemption under Subsection (a),
[if] the person must present [presents] evidence satisfactory to
the department that the person possesses unique qualifications to
practice orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics.
(c) The department shall issue a license under Section
605.256(b) to a person who:
(1) is determined to be eligible for an exemption [a
license] under this section from a requirement established under
Section 605.252; and
(2) meets all requirements provided under this
chapter, other than any requirement for which an exemption is
granted under Subdivision (1) [Subsection (a)].
(d) A person holding a license for which an exemption was
granted under this section [to whom a license is issued under this
subsection] is entitled to the same license privileges as if the
person met all [the educational and vocational] requirements of
Section 605.252. The license holder is subject to the license
renewal requirements established by the commission, other than the
[academic, clinical training, and examination] requirements
exempted under this section, which the commission may not impose as
a condition of the person's license renewal.
SECTION 2. Section 605.254, Occupations Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to a license application 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 the
former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.