Sec. 154.1012.  RECIPROCITY.  (a)  The commission may waive any prerequisite to obtaining a court reporter certification for an applicant after reviewing the applicant's credentials and determining the applicant holds a certification or license issued by another jurisdiction that has certification or licensing requirements substantially equivalent to those of this state.
(b)  The commission shall develop and periodically update on a schedule established by the commission a list of states that have certification or licensing requirements for court reporters substantially equivalent to those of this state.
(c)  The commission shall certify to the supreme court the name of each qualified applicant who:
(1)  holds a certification or license to engage in court reporting issued by another state that, as determined by the commission:
(A)  has certification or licensing requirements to engage in court reporting that are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state for a court reporter governed by this chapter and Chapter 52; or
(B)  is included on the list developed by the commission under Subsection (b); and
(2)  before certification in this state:
(A)  passes Part B of the examination required by Section 154.103; and
(B)  provides proof acceptable to the commission that the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five years.
(d)  A reciprocity agreement approved by the supreme court under Section 152.202(b) must require an applicant who holds a certification or license to engage in court reporting issued by another state and who applies for certification as a court reporter in this state to:
(1)  pass Part B of the examination required by Section 154.103;
(2)  provide proof acceptable to the commission that the applicant has been actively performing court reporting in another jurisdiction for at least three of the preceding five years; and
(3)  hold a certification or license that the commission determines is at least equivalent to the registered professional reporter designation or similar designation.
(e)  A person who applies for certification as a court reporter in this state and meets the requirements under Subsection (c) is not required to meet the requirement under Subsection (d)(3).
(f)  Subject to Section 152.101, the commission may adopt rules requiring the issuance of a provisional certification under Section 154.1011 to an applicant described by Subsection (c) or (d) that authorizes the applicant to serve as a court reporter in this state for a limited time and under conditions the commission considers reasonably necessary to protect the public interest.
Added by Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 606 (S.B. 891), Sec. 7.09(a), eff. September 1, 2019.