Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the US, and you can take steps to reduce your risk by living a heart healthy lifestyle. 

• Make sleep a priority.
• Exercise at least 150 minutes a week.
• Stop smoking.
• Manage your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Find ways to lower your stress.
• Eat heart healthy protein derived from plants, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy.
• Reduce your intake of sodium, added sugars and saturated fats.
• You can boost your heart health with some power foods like leafy greens and berries, whole grains, beans, legumes, fish, nuts and seeds.

Since it is American Heart Month, let’s continue showing our Valentine how much we care, by not only making them a homemade meal, but make it heart healthy!

Start dinner off with a delicious Strawberry Walnut Salad.  Your date will be impressed with your homemade strawberry balsamic vinaigrette, but you’ll know that all you did is put some ingredients in a blender.  Strawberries are great for heart health because they help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and reduce inflammation.

The salad and dessert you can make in advance so you can focus on preparing the delicious main dish, the Honey and Orange Roast Sea Bass.  The omega 3 fatty acids in this lean protein, the fiber packed lentils and the antioxidants in the olive oil are great for your heart and your taste buds will love it.

You must always leave room for dessert, and you won’t regret eating this heart healthy Flourless Dark Chocolate Torte.  This fudgy, mouthwatering treat is guilt free and good for the heart with the cocoa powder that improves circulation, and the minimal coffee, which can lower your risk of heart failure and cardiovascular disease.

Show your love you care by ditching fast food and take out that’s filled with saturated fats and high-fructose corn syrup for healthier, wholesome homemade meals with ingredients that are designed for a happier, healthier life. 

Stopping and preventing abuse of a child is something we all have an obligation to do.   Senate Bill 571 passed this last legislative session, updating the duty of licensed professionals to report suspected abuse within 24 hours to Law Enforcement or the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).  This requirement supersedes any Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) signed by employees of companies that provide health services.

Several of our health professions - including Behavior Analysts, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Dyslexia Therapists - work in schools, environments, or centers where abuse could potentially occur.

TDLR has recently taken disciplinary action against behavior analysts who incorrectly thought that reporting suspected abuse to staff or company leadership was sufficient and that NDAs prevented them from reporting to Law Enforcement or DFPS.

To comply with the law, report suspected abuse of any kind to local law enforcement or DFPS immediately.  You can report to DFPS at 1-800-252-5400, or online. It is recommended that you report to TDLR as well. If someone is in immediate danger, please call 911. Keep a record of your report.

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments for the Speech Language Pathology and Audiology Programs recently.  These new rules went into effect on December 1, 2025.

The adopted rules amend existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 111, Subchapter A, §111.2; Subchapter D, §111.30 and §111.35; Subchapter E, §§111.40 – 111.42, §111.45, and §111.47; Subchapter F, §111.51, §111.52, §111.54, and §111.55; Subchapter H, §111.70; Subchapter I, §§111.80 – 111.82, §111.85, and §111.87; Subchapter J, §§111.90 – 111.92, and §111.95; Subchapter L, §111.115; Subchapter P, §111.150 and §111.154; and Subchapter Q, §111.160; new rules at Subchapter F, §111.50; Subchapter H, §111.75; and the repeal of existing rules at Subchapter C, §111.22; Subchapter F, §111.50, and Subchapter H, §111.75, regarding the Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist program.

The adopted rules update requirements for all speech-language pathology and audiology license types, including changes relating to license application and eligibility, education and clinical work, internship and supervision, practice and duties, and license terms and renewals. The proposed rules are necessary to implement changes recommended by Department staff during the required four-year rule review and changes recommended by the Licensing Workgroup of the Speech Language Pathologist and Audiologist Advisory Board to streamline the application process.

The adoption justification was published in the November 21, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 7552). The updated rule chapter has been available in the Texas Administrative Code since its effective date of December 1, 2025.

The Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers program is currently facing a shortage of practical test proctors. Currently, more than 80 qualified candidates are ready to complete their licensing exams but are experiencing delays due to limited proctor availability.

Licensed professionals play an essential role in supporting the next generation of hearing instrument fitters and dispensers. By serving as a practical test proctor, you help ensure the licensing process continues to move forward efficiently and that qualified candidates can enter the profession without unnecessary delays.

Additional information about serving as a proctor, including eligibility requirements and available incentives, is available on our website. Licensed professionals who are interested in volunteering are encouraged to visit the site to learn more.

New rules for the Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology program were adopted and became effective on December 1, 2025. One of the most significant updates is the removal of the clinical deficiency plan.

Under the revised rules, any required clinical observation or clinical assisting experience hours that were not completed during a university program must now be completed after an assistant license is issued and under the supervision of the assistant’s approved supervisor.

Clinical Observation and Assisting Requirements

Applicants for a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant license are expected to complete the following as part of their university program prior to graduation:

• 25 hours of clinical observation, and
• 25 hours of clinical assisting experience

If any of these hours were completed through the university program, the Clinical Observation and Experience Form for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant must be completed by the university program director or designee and submitted by the applicant.

If Required Hours Were Not Completed Through the University

Applicants who did not complete all required observation and/or assisting experience hours through their university program must take the following steps:

1. Submit the Clinical Observation and Experience Form for Speech-Language Pathology Assistant, completed by the university program director or designee, to both TDLR and the proposed supervisor.
2. After the SLP assistant license is issued, complete any missing hours under 100% direct supervision by the approved supervisor.
3. Complete all required hours before engaging in any practice that is not under 100% direct supervision.

TDLR is in the process of updating its website, application materials, and online systems to reflect these changes. Additional updates will be shared as they become available.

Rule changes were adopted to allow the Continuing Education audit to occur after license renewal. CE documentation is no longer required to be shown at the time of license renewal. This is meant to make the renewal process faster and simpler without CE review delays that can occur.

The department’s automated system will select a random sample of licensees for CE audit. If chosen for an audit, a licensee will receive an audit notice with submission instructions by email. Selected licensees will be required to submit copies of certificates, transcripts, or other documentation to verify the licensee's attendance, participation, and completion of continuing education requirements for their latest renewal period.

Remember, although you no longer need to send in your CE documents when you renew your license, DO SAVE THEM in case you are randomly selected for a CE audit.

January was Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) proudly wore blue to help raise awareness and show support for efforts to end human trafficking.

Human trafficking involves the exploitation of individuals through force, fraud, or coercion, and it can occur in any industry. By participating in Wear Blue Day, TDLR staff across Texas helped shine a light on this critical issue and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations.

TDLR works year-round to identify and prevent human trafficking within its regulated industries by educating licensees, recognizing warning signs, and encouraging reporting. If you see something suspicious, say something. Report concerns to law enforcement or TDLR.

Together, increased awareness and collective action can help stop human trafficking.

On July 28, 2025, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation met and approved the following advisory board member appointments:

• Rosa Patterson was appointed to the Behavior Analyst Advisory Board.
• Vanessa Myers and Erika Vela were appointed to the Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board.
• Jennifer Kelleher, Gretchen Robonson, and Kristen Bowers were appointed to the Midwives Advisory Board.

On December 16, 2025, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation met and approved the following advisory board member appointments:

• Allison Childress, Colby Myers, and Matilda Jones were appointed to the Dietitian Advisory Board.
• Mark Dauenhauer was appointed to the Massage Therapy Advisory Board.
• Dr. Robin Tellez, Norma Weems, and Eddwado Perkin were appointed to the Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologist Advisory Board.

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:

• Association of Professional Behavior Analysts March 12-14 in New Orleans.
• Texas Association for Behavior Analysis April 9-12 in San Antonio.
• Texas Environmental Health Association Regional Conference May 14-15 in San Marcos
• Texas Podiatric Medical Association June 25-28 in Galveston.

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

Commission meetings are held in person at the George H.W. Bush Building, 1801 Congress Avenue, in the 4th Floor Public Meeting Room. 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.

• The next Advisory Board of Athletic Trainers meeting is scheduled Monday, March 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Hearing Instrument Fitters and Dispensers Advisory Board meeting is scheduled Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
• The  Speech Language Pathologists and Audiologists Advisory Board meeting is scheduled Monday, March 23, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Podiatric Medical Examiners Advisory Board meeting is scheduled Monday, April 6, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.
• The Behavior Analyst Advisory Board meeting is scheduled to meet Tuesday, May 5, 2026 at 10:00 a.m.