(a) A training agency may grant a qualified applicant temporary and provisional certification status in the form of an "Enrollment Certificate" upon receipt of a completed application from the requesting employer stating that this person has fulfilled all of the following eligibility requirements:
  (1) at least 18 years of age;
  (2) possess a valid driver's license designating a class appropriate (with applicable endorsements, if commercial driver license) for the gross vehicle weight rating and manufacturer's designed passenger capacity of motor vehicle to be operated;
  (3) an acceptable driving record determined in accordance with §14.14 of this title (relating to Minimum Driving Record Qualifications);
  (4) an acceptable criminal history record, secured from any law enforcement agency or criminal justice agency, and reviewed in accordance with the provisions of current state statute (see Chapter 22 of the Texas Education Code);
  (5) meets the medical qualifications as specified in §14.12 of this title (relating to Medical Qualifications) and any pre-employment testing in accordance with current federal law; and
  (6) each employer must ensure that all school bus drivers have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill regarding the safe operation of school buses, school activity buses, and/or multifunction school activity buses. It is the employer's inherent responsibility to ensure that the driver understands the contents of the current Texas School Bus Driver Certification Course.
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(b) In addition to the prerequisites listed in subsection (a) of this section, the following rules shall apply to the issuance of all enrollment certificates:
  (1) recipients must register for the first available twenty-hour certification course as determined by the training agency. Except as approved by the training agency, failure to satisfactorily complete the school bus driver certification course as scheduled shall result in revocation of the enrollment certificate;
  (2) enrollment certificates shall be dated to expire no later than 180 days past the date issued. Except as approved by the training agency, a minimum of five years must elapse between the issuance of consecutive enrollment certificates;
  (3) an enrollment certificate shall be similar to the standard school bus driver safety training certificate and contain the words, "Enrollment Certificate" either stamped or printed diagonally across the face of the training certificate; and
  (4) the training agency shall submit to the department the necessary verification information electronically for all enrollment certifications within thirty days of issuance.
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Source Note: The provisions of this §14.36 adopted to be effective March 18, 2009, 34 TexReg 1876; amended to be effective December 27, 2010, 35 TexReg 11708