1. (a) Student registration provides authorization for a person to practice prosthetics or orthotics while fulfilling the postgraduate requirements for licensure by examination.

2. (b) Eligibility. The department shall issue or renew a student registration certificate if the applicant:

   1. (1) has applied for student registration on department-approved forms;
   2. (2) has paid the student registration fee; and

   3. (3) either:

      1. (A) has completed the academic requirements for a practitioner license; or
      2. (B) is a student who is currently enrolled in a graduate program in this state in orthotics and prosthetics that is recognized and accredited by CAAHEP and submits to the department a written certification from the graduate program in which the student is enrolled that the student has successfully completed the academic prerequisites to enter a professional clinical residency; and

   4. (4) is actively engaged in either:

      1. (A) completing a professional clinical residency; or
      2. (B) applying for or awaiting the results of the examination, and has completed the professional clinical residency.
3. (c) An applicant may be issued an initial student registration in each area: prosthetics, orthotics, or both, depending on the type of clinical residency.
4. (d) The applicant shall apply for a student registration before beginning the professional clinical residency.
5. (e) A person becomes eligible to take the state examination when the department issues the student registration.

6. (f) A student registration may be upgraded to a practitioner license after the applicant:

   1. (1) meets the requirements of §114.24;
   2. (2) passes the appropriate examination; and
   3. (3) submits a complete license upgrade form and fee.

Source Note:The provisions of this §114.26 adopted to be effective October 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 4467.