1. (a) All applicants for initial Texas licensure shall:

   1. (1) submit a complete application form or online application with a recent passport-type color photograph of the applicant;
   2. (2) submit a non-refundable application fee as set by the Executive Council;
   3. (3) submit a successfully completed Board jurisprudence examination on the Texas Occupational Therapy Practice Act and Board rules;
   4. (4) have completed an accredited OT/OTA program;
   5. (5) have completed supervised fieldwork experience, a minimum of 6 months for OT and 2 months for OTA; and
   6. (6) either meet the requirements in §364.2 of this title (relating to Initial License by Examination) and apply by examination or meet the requirements in §364.4 of this title (relating to Licensure by Endorsement) and apply by endorsement.

2. (b) The applicant must also meet the requirements in §364.2 of this title and apply by examination if the applicant:

   1. (1) has not passed the NBCOT certification examination; or

   2. (2) has passed the NBCOT certification examination and

      1. (A) is not currently licensed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state or territory of the U.S.; or
      2. (B) if not currently licensed in another state or territory of the U.S., is applying from the U.S. military or a non-licensing state or territory of the U.S and cannot substantiate occupational therapy employment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a Texas license.

3. (c) The applicant must also meet the requirements in §364.4 of this title and apply by endorsement if the applicant has passed the NBCOT certification examination and:

   1. (1) is currently licensed as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant in another state or territory of the U.S.; or
   2. (2) if not currently licensed in another state or territory of the U.S., is applying from the U.S. military or a non-licensing state or territory of the U.S. and can substantiate occupational therapy employment for at least two years immediately preceding application for a Texas license.
4. (d) For applicants who are active U.S. military service members or U.S. veterans, any military service, training or education verified and credited by an accredited OT or OTA program is acceptable to the Board. Applicants who are U.S. active duty military service members and their spouses shall receive expedited services from the Board. Applicants shall mail or fax a copy of the Uniformed Services Military ID Card and notify the Board of their military affiliation.
5. (e) An application for license is valid for one year after the date it is received by the Board. At the end of the year, the application fee must be paid to continue the application process for the second year. The process will then continue under the terms of the original application.
6. (f) An applicant who submits an application containing false information may be denied a license by the Board.
7. (g) Should the Board reject an application for license, the reasons for the rejection will be communicated in writing to the applicant. The applicant may submit additional information and request reconsideration by the Board. If the applicant remains dissatisfied, a hearing may be requested as specified in the Act.
8. (h) Applicants and licensees must notify the Board in writing of changes in name, residential address, mailing address, email address, and work address within 30 days of the change. The address of record is the information provided to the public. Until licensees select an address of record, the business address will be used as the default. If no business address is available, the mailing address will be used. If no alternate address is available, the home address will be used. Applicants and licensees may update this information at any time.
9. (i) The Board will issue a replacement copy of a license to replace one lost or destroyed upon receipt of a written request and the appropriate fee from the licensee. For a name change, the appropriate fee and a copy of the legal document (e.g. marriage certificate, divorce decree) enacting the name change must accompany the request.
10. (j) The first regular license is valid from the date of issuance until the last day of the applicant's birth month, with a duration of at least two years.
11. (k) Licensees will follow the rules for continuing education, as described in Chapter 367 of this title (relating to Continuing Education).

Source Note:The provisions of this §364.1 adopted to be effective February 12, 2001, 26 TexReg 1347; amended to be effective July 22, 2001, 26 TexReg 5440; amended to be effective July 22, 2002, 27 TexReg 6545; amended to be effective May 31, 2007, 32 TexReg 2879; amended to be effective September 7, 2009, 34 TexReg 6123; amended to be effective December 2, 2013, 38 TexReg 8681; amended to be effective June 1, 2015, 40 TexReg 3197.