HB 1508 Information

About HB 1508

Effective September 1, 2017, HB 1508, 85^th Leg., R.S. (2017), amended Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code to add Subchapter E. The law requires notice to applicants and students in certain educational programs about how a criminal conviction may affect eligibility for an occupational license.

Texas Tech Health El Paso offers programs that lead to an occupational license as defined under Texas Occupations Code 58.001. Licensing authorities may have guidelines concerning prior criminal convictions that could make an individual ineligible for a license.

What applicants and students should know

warning alert: Important licensing notice:

Important licensing notice

A criminal conviction may affect eligibility for an occupational license. Applicants and students should review the requirements of the licensing authority for their intended profession.

If you are enrolled in, or later change to, a program that prepares you for an occupational license, please be advised of the following:

1. An individual who has been convicted of an offense may be ineligible for issuance of an occupational license upon completion of the educational program.
2. Each licensing authority that may issue an occupational license to an individual who completes an educational program must establish guidelines that state why a particular crime is considered related to a particular license and identify any other criteria affecting the authority's decisions.
3. Local or county licensing authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicants should contact the appropriate local or county licensing authority for details.
4. A person may request a criminal history evaluation letter regarding personal eligibility for a license issued by a licensing authority under Texas Occupations Code 53.102.

Licenses and professions subject to other laws

The provisions of Chapter 53 of the Texas Occupations Code relating to the consequences of criminal conviction do not apply to licenses granted by the Supreme Court of Texas, law enforcement officers under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701, emergency medical services personnel under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 773, or persons licensed by the Texas Medical Board, the Texas State Board of Pharmacy, the State Board of Dental Examiners, or the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners who have been convicted of a felony under Chapter 481 or 483 or Section 485.033 of the Texas Health and Safety Code.

If you are seeking one of these licenses, other provisions of law may apply to the consequences of a criminal conviction.

Review licensing requirements

All applicants to and students enrolled at Texas Tech Health El Paso are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements for their respective occupational license. Questions about eligibility requirements should be directed to the applicable licensing authority. Use the Texas occupational and professional licensing directory to identify the state agency or board responsible for a profession.