1. (a) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who held a license issued by the Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners in the five years preceding their application date will be issued the same license type as that which was previously held.

2. (b) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who hold a current license issued by another jurisdiction that is similar in scope of practice to the requirement for the license in this state and is in good standing with that state's licensing authority will be issued the same license type as that which is held in the other jurisdiction.

   1. (1) For such applications, this agency will notify the applicant not later than the 10th business day after the date the agency receives an application that:

      1. (A) the agency recognizes the applicant's out-of-state license
      2. (B) the application is incomplete; or
      3. (C) the agency is unable to recognize the applicant's out-of-state license because the agency does not issue a license similar in scope of practice to the applicant's license.

   2. (2) A person is in good standing with another state's licensing authority if the person:

      1. (A) holds a license that is current, has not been suspended or revoked, and has not been voluntarily surrendered during an investigation for unprofessional conduct;
      2. (B) has not been disciplined by the licensing authority with respect to the license or person's practice of the occupation for which the license is issued; and
      3. (C) is not currently under investigation by the licensing authority for unprofessional conduct related to the person's license or profession.
3. (c) The agency has the sole discretion in determining whether an applicant's out-of-state license is similar in scope to a license issued by the agency.
4. (d) Military service members, military veterans and military spouses who do not qualify for a license under Subsection (a) or (b) of this section may request that the Executive Director review the military service member's, military veteran's or military spouse's alternative credentials, including training, education and experience for the purposes of granting prerequisites to obtaining a license.
5. (e) The Board shall process and issue, if qualified, an application submitted by a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse not later than the 10th business day after it is received.
6. (f) Licensing and examination fees payable to the Board are waived for military service members, military veterans and military spouses as provided by Chapter 55 of the Texas Occupations Code. Late fees incurred while on active duty are waived for military service members.

7. (g) Military spouses who do not wish to obtain a Texas plumbing license may apply, at no cost, for their out-of-state license to be recognized instead by submitting:

   1. (1) a copy of the spouse's military identification card; and a copy of the military spouse's marriage license; and
   2. (2) a copy of the out-of-state license showing that it is current and in good standing with that licensing authority at the same time of their application.
8. (h) A person whose out-of-state license is recognized must comply with Chapter 1301 of the Texas Occupations Code and all other applicable laws and regulations.

9. (i) Military service members and military veterans who do not hold a current out-of-state license or who have not held a Texas license in the five (5) years preceding their application may have their military experience credited toward license eligibility and apprenticeship requirements by submitting evidence of:

   1. (1) verified military service (DD Form 214 or equivalent);
   2. (2) training in plumbing or a related field; and
   3. (3) education in plumbing or a related field.
10. (j) The applicant under this section must pass a criminal history background check. The agency may deny an application if the applicant has a disqualifying criminal history.

Source Note:The provisions of this §365.22 adopted to be effective September 1, 2017, 42 TexReg 3774; amended to be effective November 23, 2022, 47 TexReg 7685; amended to be effective December 31, 2025, 50 TexReg 8610.