Relating to licensing reciprocity agreements entered into by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
relating to licensing reciprocity agreements entered into by the
Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 51, Occupations Code, is amended by
adding Subchapter K to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER K. LICENSING RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS
Sec. 51.551. GOALS FOR LICENSING RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS.
(a) The department shall maximize licensing reciprocity
agreements, with respect to licenses issued by the department, to
the extent allowed by law.
(b) The department shall identify state laws that prevent
the department from entering into a reciprocity agreement with a
licensing authority in another state.
Sec. 51.552. RULES. The commission shall adopt rules
necessary to implement this subchapter. The rules must establish
procedures for:
(1) the department to determine whether the licensing
requirements of another state are substantially equivalent to the
requirements of this state, taking into consideration:
(A) the level of required training and testing to
obtain a license, including methods used to evaluate work
experience to fulfill training or testing requirements;
(B) the scope of practice for which the license
is issued; and
(C) the procedures used in the other state to
resolve complaints and to determine whether a license holder is in
good standing; and
(2) the department to enter into and implement
reciprocity agreements with licensing authorities in other states
that have licensing requirements substantially equivalent to this
state’s requirements.
Sec. 51.553. REPORT. Not later than December 1 of each
odd-numbered year, the department shall submit to the governor and
the Legislative Budget Board a written report that:
(1) summarizes the department’s efforts under Section
51.551, including a description of the extent to which this state’s
licensing requirements exceed the requirements of other states;
(2) describes the department’s efforts to enter into
reciprocity agreements with licensing authorities in other states,
including a list of:
(A) each reciprocity agreement entered into; and
(B) any unsuccessful effort to enter into a
reciprocity agreement with a licensing authority of another state;
and
(3) recommends any legislative action that is
necessary or appropriate to increase the number of license
reciprocity agreements as directed by this subchapter, including
any reduction of this state’s licensing requirements that would
make more reciprocity agreements possible.
SECTION 2. Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt the rules
required by Section 51.552, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. Notwithstanding Section 51.553, Occupations
Code, as added by this Act, the Texas Department of Licensing and
Regulation shall submit the initial report required by that section
not later than December 1, 2027.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2025.
