1. (a) Definitions. The terms "active duty," "military service member," "military spouse," and "military veteran" have the meaning assigned by the Texas Occupations Code Title 2, §55.001.
2. (b) Exemption from License Fees. All active duty, military service members, military veterans and military spouses who apply for or renew a forensic analyst license are exempt from fee requirements described under this subchapter.
3. (c) Exemption from Penalty for Failure to Renew License. All active duty, military service members, military veterans, and military spouses who hold a Forensic Analyst License are exempt from any increased fee or other penalty imposed by the Commission for failing to renew his/her license in a timely manner if the individual establishes to the satisfaction of the Commission that the individual failed to renew the license in a timely manner because the individual was serving as a military service member.

4. (d) Extension of License Renewal Deadlines for Military Service Members. A military service member who holds a Forensic Analyst License is entitled to two years of additional time to complete:

   1. (1) any continuing education requirements; and
   2. (2) any other requirement related to the renewal of the military service member's license.

5. (e) Alternative Licensing for Military Service Members, Military Veterans, and Military Spouses. The Commission shall issue a license to an applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse who:

   1. (1) holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state; or
   2. (2) within the five years preceding the application date held the license with this state; and
   3. (3) the Commission Presiding Officer or Designee may waive any prerequisite to obtaining a license for an applicant described in this subsection after reviewing the applicant's credentials.
6. (f) License Eligibility Requirements for Applicants with Military Experience. Notwithstanding any other law, the Commission shall credit verified military service, training or education toward the licensing requirements, other than the general forensic examination requirement, for a Forensic Analyst License.

7. (g) License Application and Examination. Notwithstanding any other law, the Commission shall waive the license application and any examination fees paid to the Commission for an applicant who is:

   1. (1) a military service member or military veteran whose military service, training, or education substantially meets all of the requirements for the license; or
   2. (2) a military service member or military veteran who holds a current license issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the license in this state.
8. (h) Notice of Chapter Provisions. The Commission shall prominently post a notice on the home page of the Commission's website describing the provisions of this subchapter that are available to military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.

Source Note:The provisions of this §651.213 adopted to be effective May 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 3106; amended to be effective December 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 7910.