(a) An approved certification entity must operate according to the:
  (1) requirements of this subchapter; and
  (2) application materials that the certification entity submitted to and approved by HHSC.
(b) If an approved certification entity wishes to change a process or procedure that was documented in its approved application to HHSC, the certification entity must submit the change to HHSC and obtain HHSC's approval before implementing the change.
(c) An approved certification entity must notify HHSC of any change of name, location, or contact information at least 30 calendar days before the change occurs.
(d) An approved certification entity may not also be a training entity and may not provide peer specialist or peer specialist supervisor training.
(e) An approved certification entity must maintain the following documentation for each certified peer specialist or certified peer specialist supervisor, and must retain the documentation for the required length of time:
  (1) application, including documentation of required training, for at least five years after the record is closed;
  (2) results of each criminal history and registry check, for at least five years after the record is closed;
  (3) documentation of each approved certification renewal, including training documentation submitted, for at least the last five renewals;
  (4) each complaint against the person and the resolution of the complaint, for at least five years after the record is closed;
  (5) documentation of each action or status change related to the certification, including expiration, inactive status, suspension, revocation, and voluntary relinquishment, for at least five years after the record is closed; and
  (6) documentation of each fee paid, for at least the last five years.
(f) An approved certification entity must maintain the following documentation for each training entity, and must retain the record for at least five years after the record is closed:
  (1) application;
  (2) each complaint against the training entity and the resolution of the complaint; and
  (3) documentation of each fee paid.
(g) For any certification type, an application not approved must be retained for at least five years.
(h) Documentation of each appeal or grievance must be maintained for at least 5 years after the appeal or grievance is resolved.

Source Note: The provisions of this §354.3255 adopted to be effective January 1, 2019, 43 TexReg 8573