(a) Texas Rising Star certification applicants must complete:
  (1) an orientation on the Texas Rising Star guidelines, including an overview of the:
    (A) Texas Rising Star program application process;
    (B) Texas Rising Star program measures; and
    (C) Texas Rising Star program assessment process;
  (2) the creation of a continuous quality improvement plan; and
  (3) a Texas Rising Star program self-assessment tool.
(b) The Agency's designated Texas Rising Star assessment entity shall ensure that:
  (1) written acknowledgment of receipt of the application and self-assessment is sent to the provider;
  (2) within 20 days of receipt of the application, the provider is sent an estimated time frame for scheduling the initial assessment;
  (3) an assessment is conducted for any provider that meets the eligibility requirements in §809.131 of this subchapter and requests certification under the Texas Rising Star program; and
  (4) Texas Rising Star certification is granted for any provider that is assessed and verified as meeting the Texas Rising Star provider certification criteria set forth in the Texas Rising Star guidelines.
(c) The Agency's designated Texas Rising Star assessment entity shall ensure that Texas Rising Star certification assessments are conducted as follows:
  (1) On-site assessment of 100 percent of the provider classrooms at the initial assessment for Texas Rising Star certification and at each scheduled recertification; and
  (2) Recertification of all certified Texas Rising Star providers every three years.
(d) The Agency's designated Texas Rising Star assessment entity shall ensure that certified Texas Rising Star providers are monitored on an annual basis and the monitoring includes:
  (1) at least one unannounced on-site visit; and
  (2) a review of the provider's licensing compliance as described in §809.132 of this chapter.
(e) The Agency's designated Texas Rising Star assessment entity shall ensure compliance with the process and procedures in the Texas Rising Star guidelines for conducting assessments of nationally accredited child care facilities and child care facilities regulated by the United States Military.
(f) The Agency's designated Texas Rising Star assessment entity shall ensure compliance with the process and procedures in the Texas Rising Star guidelines for conducting assessments of certified Texas Rising Star providers that have a change of ownership, move, or expand locations.
(g) Boards shall ensure compliance with the process and procedures in the Texas Rising Star guidelines for implementing and supporting a continuous quality improvement framework.

Source Note: The provisions of this §809.133 adopted to be effective February 16, 2015, 40 TexReg 708; amended to be effective January 25, 2021, 46 TexReg 593; amended to be effective October 3, 2022, 47 TexReg 6437; amended to be effective July 29, 2024, 49 TexReg 5540