Vol. 26 | February 2025
The 89th Legislature convened on January 14, and our Government Relations (GR) team and Executive leadership are working tirelessly to champion TDLR's budget priorities and strategic initiatives during this legislative session.
While there are 140 days in each regular session of the Legislature, most bills (other than local bills, emergency appropriations, or emergency matters) must be filed by the 60th day of the session. For the 89th Texas Legislature, that places the bill filing deadline on March 14, 2025.
As of mid-February, TDLR is tracking over 250 bills, 36 of which relate directly to TDLR health professions. You can keep up with the bills that relate to current TDLR programs by visiting our legislation webpage. This webpage is updated weekly or as developments occur.
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TDLR has changed how health professions licensees report continuing education (CE) requirements.
In an effort to improve processing times, licensees in the Athletic Trainers, Code Enforcement Officers, Dietitians, Dyslexia Therapy, Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers, Massage Therapy, Midwives, Mold Assessors and Remediators, Podiatry, Sanitarians, and Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists programs will no longer need to submit CE credits before renewing their license. Instead, they could be selected for a random audit of CE hours once they’ve renewed, so be sure to keep records current.
We’re excited to make a change that will help us issue your license faster! You can see the continuing education requirements for your license by visiting that program’s website.
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Podiatry Program
The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 130, Subchapter A, §130.1 and §130.2; Subchapter B, §§130.20, 130.23, 130.27, and 130.28; Subchapter C, §130.30 and §130.32; Subchapter D, §§130.40 – 130.42; Subchapter E, §§130.50, 130.51, 130.54, 130.55, and 130.57 – 130.59; Subchapter F, §130.60; and Subchapter G, §§130.70, 130.72, and 130.73; adopted new rules at Subchapter B, §§130.21, 130.22, and 130.24; Subchapter C, §§130.31, 130.34 – 130.37; and Subchapter D, §§130.43 – 130.48; and adopted the repeal of existing rules at Subchapter B, §§130.21, 130.22, and 130.24; Subchapter C, §130.31; Subchapter D, §§130.43 – 130.49; and Subchapter E, §130.52 and §130.53, regarding the Podiatry program, at their meeting on October 23, 2024.
The adopted rules implement changes as a result of the required four-year rule review, including changes recommended by the Education and Examination Workgroup of the Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board to increase the number of training hours for Podiatric Medical Radiological Technicians; changes identified by Department staff as part of an effort to reorganize and streamline the entire chapter; and changes to address a public comment regarding fees for an inactive status license. The adopted rules also change the license terms for three license types from one-year to two-year terms; update the license application and renewal fees to reflect the license term changes; and add transition language to implement the license term changes.
These amendments went effect on December 1, 2024. You can find information about the new rules on the program’s webpage.
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The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (Department) proposes rule amendments regarding the following licensing programs.
Athletic Trainers Program
The Department proposes amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 110, §110.30(b) and new rules at §110.24(e), §110.30(a)(2), and §110.70(a)(1)(2)(3), regarding the Athletic Trainers program.
The proposed rules amend the license renewal process to add an affirmation by the licensee that all services provided will be directed by a qualified health professional, with those written directives kept current. The proposed rules also update the temporary licensing requirements to first require passage of the written examination, with the expiration of the temporary license coming on the last day of the month of the next scheduled practical examination. Finally, the proposed rules update the standards of practice to include a physician-delegated authority document. This document must be obtained before an athletic trainer practices, be kept on file with the athletic trainer's license, and be available for review. The physician-delegated authority document must have the contact information of the sponsoring physician. The document must also be renewed each time the sponsoring physician changes.
The proposed rules were published in the December 27, 2024, issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 10461), and the public comment period ended on January 27, 2025. The rule proposal will be considered by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation at a meeting in the near future. You can review the rule proposal online.
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Hearing Fitters and Dispensers Program
The Department proposes amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 112, Subchapter A, §112.2; Subchapter E, §112.44; and Subchapter L, §112.110; the repeal of existing rules at Subchapter H, §112.70 and §112.72; and the addition of new rules at Subchapter H, §112.70 and §§112.73 - 112.76, regarding the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program. The proposed rule changes prescribe and expand the CE hours, courses, and methods of delivery; modify provisions for CE providers relating to registration and application requirements; registration issuance, term, and renewal requirements; and the responsibilities imposed on CE providers; extend the CE provider registration term from one year to two years and restructure the registration fees from $200 annually to $400 every two years; and eliminate the current requirement that each CE course offered or provided by a registered CE provider must be approved by the Department.
The proposed rule changes were published in the November 29, 2024 issue of the Texas Register (49 TexReg 9688), and the public comment period ended on December 30, 2024. The rule proposal will be considered by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation at a meeting in the near future. You can review the rule proposal online.
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TDLR is reviewing the rules for the following professions for re-adoption, revision, or repeal. This rule review is required every four years.
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Athletic Trainers rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 110
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Dietitians rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 116
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Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 112
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Midwives rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 115
- Orthotists and Prosthetists rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 114
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Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 111
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General Provisions for Health-Related Programs rules, located at Title 16, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 100
The Notice of Intent to Review was published in the Texas Register on November 22, 2024 (49 TexReg 9571), as part of a combined notice with other rule chapters undergoing simultaneous review. TDLR will determine whether the reasons for adopting or readopting these rules continue to exist by answering the following questions for each rule:
- Is it obsolete?
- Does it reflect current legal and policy considerations?
- Is it in alignment with the current procedures of the Department?
You can stay up to date on the rule review process via each program’s webpage. You can also sign up for email updates here.
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You can file a complaint online for our health profession programs.
Enforcement of the laws and rules impacting the health professions is a critical part of the protecting public health and the licensed professionals.
When you click on a link, you will be asked to choose whether you are filing a complaint against a licensed or an unlicensed person or business. If you are unsure about whether the person or business holds a TDLR license, use the unlicensed link. You can also file the complaint via mail. A PDF complaint form is available at the webpage link.
The complaint must allege a violation of the law or rules and include sufficient information for TDLR to investigate the allegations and fully consider the complaint.
Read more about TDLR's complaint investigation and resolution process.
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Deputy Director of Licensing Katie Brice was recently selected as the President-Elect of the National Council of State Boards of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology (NCSB), beginning January 1, 2025. Katie currently serves as Editor and Treasure for NCSB and will transition to the role of President beginning January 1, 2026.
NCSB is a non-profit organization consisting of licensure boards and organizations throughout the United States and Canada that licenses and regulates the practice of speech-language pathology and audiology.
The NCSB promotes consumer protection by supporting regulatory boards in speech-language pathology and audiology in fulfilling statutory, professional, and ethical obligations.
Congratulations, President-Elect Brice!
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TDLR is pleased to announce important updates to the Podiatry program.
Effective January 1, 2025, Podiatric Medical Radiologic Technician (Rad Tech) registrations, Hyperbaric Oxygen certificates, and Nitrous Oxide permits will be valid for two years instead of just one year. The change will reduce the time that podiatrists, their support teams, and TDLR will spend in receiving and processing these applications by as much as 50 percent.
Fees for all three have been proportionally increased from $25.00 to $50.00, reflecting this update.
The training requirements for rad techs have been updated to accurately reflect the number of hours needed to complete the currently approved training program. The number of X-ray productions required has also increased, from 60 to 90, to allow students the time to become proficient with the different techniques and image views used in today’s podiatry practices.
You can find out more information about these updates on the Podiatry program website.
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On Friday, December 6, 2024, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation voted to approve the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board® (QABA®) as a certifying entity for behavior analyst licensure under Texas Occupations Code, Section 506.002 (2).
Individuals with a current Qualified Autism Services Practitioner Supervisor® (QASP-S®) certification may apply for an Assistant Behavior Analyst license, and those with an active Qualified Behavior Analyst® (QBA®) certification may apply for a Behavior Analyst license, by submitting an online application and required fee to TDLR.
You can find more information about this update by visiting the Behavior Analysts program webpage.
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Did you know that newborn screening has saved countless lives? Ensuring that all midwives follow proper procedures is essential for early detection of serious health conditions. The process of completing and submitting the blood spot card (or collection kit) involves multiple critical steps, each playing a vital role in a baby’s well-being.
To support midwives in this important task, proper procedures and helpful tips are available on the Newborn Screening Program website from the Texas Department of State Health Services. By following best practices, we can help protect the health of newborns and provide them with the best possible start in life.
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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 these upcoming events!
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, contact us at Compliance.Health.Professions@tdlr.texas.gov.
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Commission meetings are in person. Unless otherwise noted, all advisory board meetings are held via videoconference.
You can view the live broadcasts or archived meetings on TDLR's YouTube channel. Meeting notices, agendas, and staff reports are posted on the TDLR Meetings page.
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