(a) Definitions.
  (1) "Active duty" means current full-time military service in the armed forces of the United States or active duty military service as a member of the Texas military forces, as defined by Section 437.001, Government Code, or similar military service of another state.
  (2) "Armed forces of the United States" means the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of the United States or a reserve unit of one of those branches of the armed forces.
  (3) "Military service member" means a person who is on active duty.
  (4) "Military spouse" means a person who is married to a military service member.
  (5) "Military veteran" means a person who has served on active duty and who was discharged or released from active duty.
(b) Interior design registration eligibility requirements for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses.
  (1) Verified military service, training, or education will be credited toward the registration requirements, other than an examination requirement, of an Applicant who is a military service member or a military veteran.
  (2) An Applicant who is a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse may be eligible for registration if the Applicant:
    (A) Holds an active interior design registration issued by another jurisdiction that has licensing or registration requirements that are substantially equivalent to the requirements for registration in this state; or
    (B) Held an active interior design registration in this state within the five years preceding the application.
  (3) Not later than 30 days after a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse files an application for registration, the Board shall process the application, and if the applicant qualifies for registration under this subsection, issue the registration.
  (4) This subsection does not apply if the Applicant holds a restricted registration issued by another jurisdiction or has an unacceptable criminal history.
(c) Alternative temporary registration procedure for an individual who is a military service member or military spouse.
  (1) An individual who is a military service member or military spouse may qualify for a temporary Interior Design registration if the individual:
    (A) holds a current interior design license or registration in good standing in another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements for Interior Design registration in this state;
    (B) notifies the Board in writing of the individual's intent to practice Interior Design in this state;
    (C) submits to the Board required information to demonstrate eligibility for temporary Interior Design registration; and
    (D) receives a verification letter from the Board that:
      (i) the Board has verified the individual's license or registration in the other jurisdiction; and
      (ii) the individual is issued a temporary Interior Design registration.
  (2) The Board will review and evaluate the following criteria when determining whether another jurisdiction's licensing requirements are substantially equivalent to the requirements for an Interior Design registration in Texas:
    (A) whether the other jurisdiction requires an applicant to pass the Council for Interior Design Qualification (CIDQ) examination;
    (B) any experience qualifications required by the jurisdiction to obtain the license or registration; and
    (C) any education credentials required by the jurisdiction to obtain the license or registration.
  (3) The individual must submit the following information to the Board to demonstrate eligibility for temporary Interior Design registration:
    (A) a written request for the Board to review the individual's eligibility for temporary Interior Design registration;
    (B) sufficient documentation to verify that the individual is currently licensed or registered in good standing in another jurisdiction and has no restrictions, pending enforcement actions, or unpaid fees or penalties relating to the license or registration;
    (C) proof of residency in this state;
    (D) a copy of the individual's military identification card; and
    (E) proof the military service member or, with respect to a military spouse, the military service member to whom the spouse is married is stationed at a military installation in Texas.
  (4) Not later than the 30th day after the date an individual submits the information described by paragraph (3) of this subsection, the Board shall provide the verification described by paragraph (1)(D) of this subsection if the individual is eligible for a temporary registration under this subsection.
  (5) A temporary Interior Design registration issued under this subsection expires three years from the date of issuance or when the military service member or, with respect to a military spouse, the military service member to whom the spouse is married is no longer stationed at a military installation in Texas, whichever occurs first. The registration may not be renewed.
  (6) In the event of a divorce or similar event that affects an individual's status as a military spouse, the spouse's registration will continue in effect until the registration expires three years from the date of issuance.
  (7) Except as provided under this subsection, an individual who receives a temporary Interior Design registration under this subsection is subject to and shall comply with all applicable laws, rules, and standards governing the practice of Interior Design in this state.
  (8) A temporary Interior Design registration issued under this subsection may be revoked if the individual:
    (A) fails to comply with paragraph (7) of this subsection; or
    (B) the individual's license or registration required under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection expires or is suspended or revoked.
  (9) The Board shall not charge a fee for the issuance of a temporary Interior Design registration under this subsection.

Source Note: The provisions of this §5.39 adopted to be effective November 23, 2014, 39 TexReg 9009; amended to be effective March 22, 2016, 41 TexReg 2163; amended to be effective April 5, 2020, 45 TexReg 2185; amended to be effective March 28, 2024, 49 TexReg 1930