Sec. 509.008.  OFFICER CERTIFICATION.  (a)  The division shall establish officer certification programs for department residential officers and department supervision officers.  A program must include coursework relating to the proper performance of the officer's duties and an examination prepared by the division administered at the conclusion of the coursework.  The examination must test officers on knowledge required for the proper performance of their duties.  An officer who satisfactorily completes the coursework and examination shall be certified.
(b)  Except as provided by Subsections (d), (e), and (f), a department may not continue to employ an officer unless the officer was exempt from certification requirements on September 1, 1989, or satisfactorily completes the coursework and examination required by this section not later than the first anniversary of the date on which the officer begins employment with the department.
(c)  The division shall provide adequate notification of the results of examinations and provide other relevant information regarding examinations as requested by examinees.
(d)  The division may extend the period for the coursework and examination requirements for an officer under Subsection (b) or (f) for an additional period not to exceed one year because:
(1)  the department has a need to increase hiring to reduce caseloads to a level necessary to receive full state aid;  or
(2)  an extenuating circumstance, as determined by the division director, prevents the officer from completing the coursework and examination within the required period.
(e)  The division may waive certification requirements other than a fee requirement for an applicant with a valid certificate from another state that has certification requirements substantially similar to those of this state.
(f)  A department may not continue to employ a residential officer unless the officer successfully completes the coursework and examination requirement under this section before the first anniversary of the date on which the officer begins the officer's assignment to a residential facility.
(g)  The division may deny, revoke, or suspend a certification or may reprimand an officer for a violation of a standard adopted under this chapter.
(h)  If the division proposes to deny, revoke, or suspend an officer's certification or to reprimand an officer, the officer is entitled to a hearing before the division or a hearings examiner appointed by the division.  The division shall adopt procedures for appeals by officers of decisions made by the division to deny, revoke, or suspend a certification or to reprimand an officer.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 7.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 12.27(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997.