Rule 3.4 - Alternative Application Procedure for Military Spouses, Military Service Member, and Veterans(a) Pursuant to Chapter 55 of the Occupations Code, the Commission must grant credit toward certification, registration, and licensing requirements for relevant verified military service education, training, and experience earned by a military service member or a military veteran who applies for certification, registration, or licensure. The Commission may withhold credit from a military service member or veteran who holds a restricted certification, registration, or license issued by another jurisdiction or has an unacceptable criminal history.(b) The Commission must expedite applications for certification, registration, and licensure which are filed by military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.(c) The Commission may issue a certification, registration, or license to an applicant who is a military service member, the spouse of a military service member, or a military veteran and: (1) holds a current certification, registration, or license issued by another state that has requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for the certification, registration, or license; or(2) within the five years preceding the application date, held a certification, registration, or license in this State.(d) The Commission may allow an applicant who meets the requirements of (c) to demonstrate competency by alternative methods or credentials in order to meet the requirements for obtaining a particular certification, registration, or license issued by the Commission. For purposes of this Section, the standard methods of demonstrating competency are the specific exam, education, and experience required to obtain a particular certification, registration, or license.(e) In lieu of the standard methods of demonstrating competency for a particular certification, registration, or license and based on the applicant's circumstances, the alternative methods for demonstrating competency may include any combination of the following as determined by the Commission: (2) continuing education;(3) examinations (written or skills);(4) letters of good standing;(5) letters of recommendation;(7) other methods or credentials required by the Commission.(f) The applicant must: (1) submit an application and proof of the requirements under this rule and for that particular certification, registration, or license on a form and in a manner prescribed by the Commission; and(2) be subject to the same criminal history background check required of the persons applying for that particular certification, registration, or license.(g) A person who applies for a certification, registration, or license under this rule is exempt from paying an application fee.(h) Military Spouse Temporary Authorization.(1) The Commission must issue a military spouse written confirmation that the military spouse may engage temporarily in a regulated practice without certification, registration, or licensure, upon:(A) receipt of written notice from the military spouse of the intent to engage in the regulated practice in Texas;(B) receipt of a copy of the military spouse's military identification card and proof of residency in Texas, including a copy of the permanent change of station order for the military service member to whom the spouse is married; and(C) verification that the military spouse is certified, registered, or licensed in good standing in another jurisdiction that has certification, registration, or licensing requirements that are substantially equivalent to the Commission's requirements.(2) A military spouse engaging temporarily in a regulated practice is entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligations and responsibilities of a regulated person, and may be sanctioned or disciplined in the same manner as a regulated person.(3) Written authorization to engage temporarily in a regulated practice without certification, registration, or licensure is valid until the earliest of the following: (A) the military service member to whom the military spouse is married is no longer stationed at a military installation in Texas;(B) the end of the military spouse's marriage to the military service member;(C) the imposition of a disciplinary sanction; or(D) three years from the date of issuance of written confirmation.(4) A military spouse cannot renew a temporary authorization but may obtain a certification, registration, or license from the Commission pursuant to these Rules.Tex. R. Judi. Cert. Commi. 3.4
Amended effective 4/12/2018 immediately; amended effective 6/16/2020 immediately; amended effective 9/1/2021.