22 Tex. Admin. Code § 153.6 – Military Service Member, Military Veteran, or Military Spouse Applications.

(a) Definitions.
1. (1) "Good standing" has the meaning assigned by §55.0042, Occupations Code.
2. (2) "Military service member" has the meaning assigned by §55.001(4), Occupations Code.
3. (3) "Military spouse" has the meaning assigned by §55.001(5), Occupations Code.
4. (4) "Military veteran" has the meaning assigned by §55.001(6), Occupations Code.
(b) The purpose of this section is to establish procedures authorized or required by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 55 and is not intended to modify or alter rights or legal requirements that may be provided under federal law, Chapter 1103 of the Occupations Code, or requirements established by the AQB.
(c) Expedited application.
1. (1) The Board will process an application for a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse on an expedited basis.
2. (2) If an applicant under this section holds a current license issued by a state other than Texas that is similar in scope of practice to the license or certification issued in this state, the Board will issue the license not later than the 10th business day after receipt of the application.
(d) Waiver of fees.
1. (1) The Board will waive the license application fee and examination fees for an applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse.
2. (2) The executive director or his or her designee may waive the application fee of a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who is not currently licensed, but within the five years preceding the application date held a license in this state and applies for reinstatement in accordance with subsection (f)(2) of this section.
(e) Credit for military experience.
1. (1) For an applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse the Board shall credit any verifiable military service, training, or education toward the licensing requirements, other than an examination requirement.
2. (2) The Board shall award credit under this subsection consistent with the criteria adopted by the AQB and any exceptions to those criteria as authorized by the AQB.
3. (3) This subsection does not apply to an applicant who holds a restricted license issued by another jurisdiction.
(f) Reciprocity and reinstatement.
1. (1) A military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who holds a current license issued by a state other than Texas that is similar in scope of practice to the license in this state who wants to practice in Texas may apply by submitting an application for license by reciprocity and any required supplemental documents for military service members, military veterans, or military spouses, using a process acceptable to the Board.
2. (2) A military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who is not currently licensed, but within the five years preceding the application date held a license in this state who wants to practice in Texas may apply by submitting an application for reinstatement and any required supplemental documents for military service members, military veterans, or military spouses, using a process acceptable to the Board.
(g) Recognition of Out-Of-State License of Military Service Members and Military Spouses
1. (1) A military service member or military spouse who holds a current certificate or license issued by a state other than Texas that is similar in scope or practice to the certificate or license issued in Texas and is in good standing with the state's licensing authority who wants to practice in Texas in accordance with 55.0041, Occupations Code, must submit an application using a process acceptable to the Board and include:
  1. (A) a copy of the military orders showing relocation to this state;
  2. (B) if the applicant is a military spouse, a copy of the military spouse's marriage license; and
  3. (C) a notarized affidavit affirming under penalty of perjury that:
    1. (i) the applicant is the person described and identified in the application;
    2. (ii) all statements in the application are true, correct, and complete;
    3. (iii) the applicant understands that the scope of practice for the applicable license in this state and will not perform outside of the scope of practice; and
    4. (iv) the applicant is in good standing in each state in which the applicant holds or has held an applicable license.
2. (2) Not later than the 10th business day after the date the Board receives an application under this subsection, the Board will notify the applicant that:
  1. (A) the Board recognizes the applicant's out-of-state license and will issue a license by reciprocity;
  2. (B) the application is incomplete; or
  3. (C) the Board is unable to recognize the applicant's out-of-state license because the Board does not issue a license similar in scope of practice to the applicant's license.
3. (3) A person authorized to practice in this state under this subsection must comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to the license.
4. (4) In the event of a divorce or similar event that affects a persons' status as a military spouse, the former spouse may continue to practice for three years from the date the spouse submitted the application under this subsection.
5. (5) In determining which states issue licenses similar in scope of practice to those issued by the Board, the Board will consider the authorized activities under the applicable license and the criteria adopted by the AQB.

Source Note:The provisions of this §153.6 adopted to be effective December 3, 2023, 48 TexReg 6903; amended to be effective December 7, 2025, 50 TexReg 7921.