TITLE 1. ADMINISTRATION
PART 15. TEXAS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 351. COORDINATED PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER
A.
The executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to §351.3, concerning Recognition of Out-of-State License of a Military Service Member or Military Spouse; and §351.6, concerning Alternative Licensing for Military Service Members, Military Spouses, and Military Veterans.
Amended §351.3 and §351.6 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 19, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6083). These rules will not be republished.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The amendments are necessary to comply with House Bill (HB) 5629, 89th Regular Session, 2025 and Senate Bill (SB) 1818, 89th Regular Session, 2025.
SB 1818 amends Texas Occupation Code (TOC) §55.004 and §55.0041 to allow a military service member, a military veteran, or a military spouse to receive a provisional license upon receipt of a complete application, if they meet the existing criteria outlined in TOC §55.004 or §55.004. To qualify, the applicant must hold a current license in good standing from another state that is similar in scope of practice to a license issued in Texas.
HB 5629 amends TOC §55.004 and §55.0041 to require state agencies to recognize out-of-state licenses that are in good standing and similar in scope of practice to a Texas license, and to issue a corresponding Texas license. The bill also changes the documentation required in an application, shortens the time by which the agency must process an application, and defines "good standing".
COMMENTS
The 31-day comment period ended October 20, 2025.
During this period, HHSC received comments regarding the proposed rules from one commenter, Endeavors. A summary of comments relating to the rules and HHSC's responses follows.
Comment: Endeavors expressed support for the amendments and noted that it strongly supports the amendments for their potential to enhance workforce retention, minimize professional disruption, and promote regulatory consistency for military-connected individuals across Texas.
Response: HHSC acknowledges this comment.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendments are authorized by Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system; Texas Occupations Code §55.004, which requires a state agency that issues a license to adopt rules for the issuance of the license to an applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse; and Texas Occupations Code §55.0041, which requires a state agency that issues a license to adopt rules for recognition of out-of-state licenses of military service members and military spouses.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 10, 2025.
TRD-202504101
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: December 1, 2025
Proposal publication date: September 19, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 221-9021