Summary below – for full text go to the Texas Register 9/27/13 issue, page 6468.
CHAPTER 163. LICENSURE
22 TAC §§163.1, 163.2, 163.5, 163.6, 163.13
The Texas Medical Board (Board) proposes amendments to §§163.1, 163.2, 163.5, 163.6 and 163.13, concerning Licensure.
The amendment to §163.1, concerning Definitions, adds definitions for “license holder,” “military service member,” “military spouse” and “military veteran” based on the passage of Senate Bill (SB) 162 and Senate Bill 949 (83rd Regular Session) that amended Chapters 55 and 155 of the Texas Occupations Code.
The amendment to §163.2, concerning Full Texas Medical License, deletes subsection (d) of this rule related to the requirements for applicants who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, in accordance with SB 949 (83rd Regular Session), which repealed §155.0045 of the Texas Occupations Code, related to additional eligibility requirements for certain aliens. Also, the amendment changes subsection (e) to subsection (d), in light of the previous deletion of subsection (d). The amendment also adds language to subsection (d), allowing for an expedited licensure process for military spouses, based on the passage of SB 162 (83rd Regular Session). New subsection (e) adds a provision for recognizing certain training for Applicants with military experience, based on the passage of SB 162 (83rd Regular Session).
The amendment to §163.5(b)(12), concerning Licensure Documentation–Citizenship or Permanent Residence, is deleted as a result of §163.2(d) being deleted by virtue of §155.0045 of the Texas Occupations Code being repealed by SB 949 (83rd Regular Session).
The amendment to §163.6, concerning Examinations Accepted for Licensure, amends the language in subsection (b)(3), relating to the exemption from limits on exam attempts, in order to be consistent with the remainder of the rule. New subsection (f) adds language which provides for an exemption from time frame in which an applicant must pass the examinations required for licensure, based on the passage of SB 949 (83rd Regular Session).
The amendment to §163.13, concerning Expedited Licensure Process, amends the language to include applicants who meet the criteria under §163.2(d), based on the passage of SB 162 (83rd Regular Session).