(a) The executive director of the Texas Medical Board must authorize a qualified military spouse to practice as a respiratory care practitioner in Texas without obtaining a certificate in accordance with §55.0041(a), Texas Occupations Code. This authorization to practice is valid during the time the military service member to whom the military spouse is married is stationed at a military installation in Texas, but is not to exceed three years.
(b) In order to receive authorization to practice the military spouse must:
  (1) hold an active respiratory care practitioner certificate or permit in another state, territory, Canadian province, or country that:
    (A) has licensing or certification requirements that are determined by the advisory board to be substantially equivalent to the requirements for certification in Texas; and
    (B) is not subject to any restriction, disciplinary order, probation, or investigation;
  (2) notify the advisory board of the military spouse's intent to practice in Texas on a form prescribed by the advisory board; and
  (3) submit proof of the military spouse's residency in this state, a copy of the spouse's military identification card, and proof of the military member's status as an active duty military service member as defined by §437.001(1), Texas Government Code (relating to Definitions).
(c) While authorized to practice respiratory care in Texas, the military spouse shall comply with all other laws and regulations applicable to the practice of respiratory care in Texas.
(d) Once the advisory board receives the form containing notice of a military spouse's intent to practice in Texas, the advisory board will verify whether the military spouse's certificate or permit in another state, territory, Canadian province, or country is active and in good standing. Additionally, the advisory board will determine whether the licensing requirements in that jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to the requirements for licensure in Texas.

Source Note: The provisions of this §186.30 adopted to be effective November 17, 2019, 44 TexReg 6882