(a) An applicant applying for licensure under this section must comply with Council rule, §882.60 of this title (relating to Special Provisions Applying to Military Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses).     
      (b) Substantial Equivalency Determination. In accordance with §55.004 of the Occupations Code, the licensing requirements for a license to practice professional counseling in another jurisdiction will be considered substantially equivalent to Texas' requirements if the following criteria are met:      
        (1) the applicant has been fully licensed to practice professional counseling for the two years immediately preceding the date the application is received; and       
        (2) has no disciplinary history.       
      (c) If an applicant has been fully licensed to practice professional counseling in another United States jurisdiction for less than two years immediately preceding the date the application is received, and has no disciplinary history, staff may grant 125 hours of credit for every month of independent professional counseling practice toward any deficit in experience requirements.     
      (d) For an application submitted by a verified military service member or military veteran, the applicant must receive credit towards any licensing requirements, except an examination requirement, for verified military service, training, or education that the Council determines is relevant to the licensing requirements.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §681.114 adopted to be effective November 19, 2020, 45 TexReg 8143; amended to be effective November 21, 2021, 46 TexReg 7787