Customer Satisfaction Survey Results

As part of TDLR’s Strategic Planning process, we solicited feedback from customers through an online customer satisfaction survey. The survey invitations were sent to over one million email subscribers and survey links were posted on our social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. The survey asked customers to rate the quality of services they received during the last two years. TDLR received just under seven thousand responses.

In addition to the online survey, TDLR sought feedback from stakeholders in-person by holding nine regional sessions throughout the state, and two virtual sessions.

A majority of survey participants expressed satisfaction on most of the questions. Results of the customer satisfaction survey may be viewed beginning on page 40 of the TDLR 2023-2027 Strategic Plan – Supplemental Schedules.

TDLR uses the information gathered to prioritize, plan, and make necessary changes. We are grateful for all who participated in this process. TDLR strives to be the best agency in Texas and that could not be accomplished without honest feedback from the licensees and public that we serve.

2023-2027 Strategic Plan

TDLR has filed our 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. This plan serves as the agency’s roadmap for the next five years. Again, we thank everyone who participated. There is much work to be done over the next few years and we look forward to the success we will achieve together.

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted rule amendments at their meeting on April 5, 2022. 

Amendments were adopted to 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 100, regarding General Provisions for Health-Related Programs. Specifically, the adopted rules implement Senate Bill 40, 87^th Legislature, Regular Session (2021) and Tex. Occ. Code §51.501 by providing guidelines to health professionals for the use of telehealth and remote continuing education. The updates also amend outdated rule language and repeal certain podiatry-specific provisions that have been moved to another chapter.

These amendments went into effect on May 1, 2022. You can review the adoption justification here.

Amendments were adopted regarding the Podiatry program. Adopted rules incorporate podiatry-specific provisions that were repealed from 16 TAC, Chapter 100.

Amendments were adopted regarding the Orthotists & Prosthetists program. Adopted rules implement changes identified by the Department during the four-year rule review process conducted under Texas Government Code §2001.39 and reflect current Department procedures, amend outdated rule language, and eliminate unnecessary fees.

These amendments went into effect on May 1, 2022. You can find information about the new rules on the respective program webpages.

Additionally, the Commission adopted amendments to rules at their meeting on May 24, 2022 that implement advisory board changes made by House Bill 1560, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021). The adopted changes affect the following Department program rules under Title 16, Part 4, of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC):

• Athletic Trainers – existing rule at section §110.18;
• Behavior Analysts – existing rule at section §121.69;
• Dietitians – existing rule at section §116.14;
• Dyslexia Therapy – existing rule at section §120.69;
• Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers – existing rule at section §112.14;
• Midwives – existing rule at section §115.7;
• Orthotists and Prosthetists – existing rule at section §114.69; and
• Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists – existing rule at section §111.14.

These amendments will go into effect on July 1, 2022. You can find information about the new rules on each program’s webpage.

TDLR has revised the sample Massage Therapy Consultation Document (PDF) to incorporate rule changes that took effect January 1, 2022.

The Texas Massage Therapy rules specify when a consultation document must be provided and include guidelines to help ensure the protection and safety of the client and massage therapist. The updated document incorporates rules that state:

• the client or massage therapist may end the massage session if they feel uncomfortable for any reason; and
• the massage therapist must immediately end the massage session if a client initiates any verbal or physical contact that is sexual in nature.

You may use the sample document to ensure that your consultation document meets all current TDLR requirements. Failure to use a consultation document that meets current requirements and in the manner prescribed by the department may result in disciplinary action against you.

For questions regarding the document, please contact TDLR via webform at https://www.tdlr.texas.gov/help.

Exciting things are happening behind the scenes for the podiatry program!

We are transitioning the program to a more robust licensing database that is currently utilized for other TDLR medical and health programs. Once the program has transferred to the new database, all license types and designations will be able to apply and pay online and renew their license online. 

We will send additional information as the go-live date approaches within the next few months.

Students earning their bachelor’s degree in communicative sciences or disorders should earn at least 25 hours of clinical observation in the area of speech-language pathology (SLP) and 25 hours of clinical assisting experience in the area of speech-language pathology within their educational institution or in one of its cooperating programs before graduating. If these hours are not completed before graduation, the applicant must complete a Clinical Deficiency Plan (CDP) once their speech-language pathology assistant license has been issued.

The CDP is completed by the SLP assistant applicant and their proposed supervisor and submitted with the SLP assistant application. Any hours earned after graduation and before the SLP assistant license is issued are invalid. SLP assistants must complete the observation hours and clinical assisting experience hours under100-percent direct supervision of their approved supervisor. 

The SLP assistant has 60 days to complete the hours under the CDP once TDLR has issued the SLP assistant license. The supervisor will notify TDLR once the SLP assistant has completed the hours, and if TDLR approves the hours, the SLP assistant may begin to work as a SLP assistant under the direction and supervision of their approved supervisor.

SLP assistant applicants should note that the CDP should be done under their supervisor at their place of employment once licensed. The SLP assistant should not be asked to provide compensation for the opportunity to earn these hours. For more information on the CDP, please visit the Speech-Language and Pathology website and view the administrative rules regarding the requirements for SLP assistant.

Attention Audiologists and Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers: You are in a unique position, due to your work with the hard-of-hearing community. Please help spread the word about the Texas Health and Human Services Commission’s (HHSC) Certification of Deafness Tuition Waiver program (CODTW). 

Through the CODTW program, students who meet certain criteria can apply to have their tuition waived at state-supported, post-secondary schools in Texas.

Applicants must prove:

• an unaided average hearing loss in the better ear of 55 decibels (dB) or greater, using 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, as verified by a licensed audiologist or licensed fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments;
• an aided average hearing loss of 30 dB or greater, using 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 Hz, as verified by a licensed audiologist or licensed fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments; or
• speech discrimination of less than 50 percent as verified by a licensed audiologist or a licensed fitter and dispenser of hearing instruments.

Applicants for the tuition waiver program must be at least 17 years old, or if younger than 17, provide proof of being a senior in high school or of having been awarded a high-school diploma or its equivalent. The program waives tuition and tuition-based fees at any institution of higher education that uses public funds. It does not cover room, board, or books. 

If you know someone who may be interested in the tuition waiver program, please instruct them to complete Form 3900 Certificate of Deafness for Tuition Waiver Program and submit it per the instructions. For more information, please visit Tuition Waiver | Texas Health and Human Services.

On April 5, 2022, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation approved the following advisory board member appointments and reappointments:

• William “Gordon” Bourland was reappointed as the Presiding Officer of the Behavior Analyst Advisory Board;
• Hector Garcia was appointed to the Dyslexia Therapists and Practitioners Advisory Committee;
• Mary Kate “Suzy” Weems was reappointed to the Dietitians Advisory Board;
• Lance Brooks was reappointed as the Presiding Officer of the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board;
• David Lauterstein was reappointed as the Presiding Officer of the Massage Therapy Advisory Board;
• Laurie Fremgen was reappointed as the Presiding Officer of the Midwives Advisory Board;
• Erik Olson was appointed to the Orthotists and Prosthetists Advisory Board; and
• Chereece N. Andrews was appointed to the Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Advisory Board and Sherry Sancibrian was reappointed as the Presiding Officer.

Congratulations to all new and reappointed members.

To learn more about specific advisory boards and committees, use the links above or visit the program’s webpage and select Advisory Board or Advisory Committee from the menu on the right-hand side of the page.

To find disciplinary actions taken on complaints filed with TDLR, visit the TDLR Administrative Orders Search page.

You can search by name, license number, location, or by program. All disciplinary actions posted on the TDLR website are final actions taken by TDLR. No actions taken by previous licensing boards or agencies are included.

For information on why specific violations of the law or rules might fall into a certain penalty range, please see TDLR's Enforcement Plan.

What about license denials?

License denials and revocations are included. If an application denial is based on criminal history, you can find information on why that criminal history was relevant in the program’s Criminal Conviction Guidelines.

Click here to subscribe to TDLR’s Email Updates to receive important information about programs of interest and upcoming Commission and board meetings, including meeting agendas.

In the coming months, TDLR Medical and Health Professions staff will be available at a number of conferences and meetings across Texas to provide licensing and program information to attendees.

We hope to see you at one of these upcoming events:

• Texas Podiatric Medical Association Annual Conference & Business Meeting – June 23-26, Galveston
• Texas Hearing Aid Association 2022 Annual Convention & Trade Show – June 24-25, Houston 
• Southwest Athletic Trainers Association 68^th Annual Symposium & Billy Pickard Expo – July 21-22, Arlington

TDLR is available to provide informational presentations and/or staff booths at your next conference or meeting. If you would like a TDLR representative at your next conference or meeting, send us an email. 

Did you know that we live broadcast all advisory board and Commission meetings on TDLR’s YouTube channel? Although we do not have any upcoming medical and health professions advisory board meetings or Commission meetings currently scheduled, you can always watch past meetings which are archived on our YouTube channel.

If you have subscribed to receive program updates, you will receive an email notice when new meetings are scheduled. If you are not subscribed, you can do that here.