Sec. 206.205.  SPECIAL ELIGIBILITY FOR LICENSE.  (a)  A person who is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 206.203 is not required to take the examination required by Section 206.203(b)(1) if the person:
(1)  passed a surgical assistant examination required for certification under Section 206.203(b)(4) that the medical board determines is substantially equivalent to the examination required by the medical board under this chapter;  and
(2)  applies for a license under this section before September 1, 2002.
(b)  A person who is otherwise eligible for a license under Section 206.203 is not required to meet the educational requirements under Section 206.203(b)(2) if the person applies for a license under this section before September 1, 2002, and:
(1)  will complete before the third anniversary of the date the license is issued under this subsection the following academic courses approved by the medical board:
(A)  anatomy;
(B)  physiology;
(C)  basic pharmacology;
(D)  aseptic techniques;
(E)  operative procedures;
(F)  chemistry;  and
(G)  microbiology;  or
(2)  has been continuously certified since September 30, 1995, as a surgical assistant by a national certifying body approved by the medical board and has practiced full-time as a surgical assistant under the direct supervision of a physician licensed in this country.
(c)  A license issued under Subsection (b)(1) may not be renewed after the third anniversary of the date of issuance unless the license holder completes the academic courses described by Subsection (b)(1).
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1014, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.