HB 4261

relating to the licensing of certain social workers; imposing a
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Subchapter G, Chapter 505, Occupations Code, is
amended by adding Section 505.355 to read as follows:
Sec. 505.355.  ALTERNATIVES TO EXAMINATION.  (a)  The
executive council by rule shall establish alternative methods,
other than an examination, of examining the competency of an
applicant for a baccalaureate or master social worker license who
has failed the applicable examination two or more times.  The rules
adopted under this subsection must set a fee for the administration
of the alternative method of examining competency.  In adopting the
rules, the executive council shall consider the recommendations of
the work group established under Subsection (b).
(b)  The executive council shall establish a work group to
solicit input from stakeholders and make recommendations on the
development and implementation of alternative methods under
Subsection (a).  The work group must consist of persons with a
SECTION 2.  Not later than January 1, 2026, the Texas
Behavioral Health Executive Council shall adopt the rules required
by Section 505.355, Occupations Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.