SB 2444

relating to the regulation of sanitarians and sanitarians in
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 1953.001, Occupations Code, is amended
by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (3-a) to read as
(3)  "Sanitarian" means an individual [a person]
trained in sanitary science to perform duties relating to education
and inspections in environmental sanitation.
(3-a)  "Sanitarian in training" means an individual
training in sanitary science while engaged in sanitation.
SECTION 2.  Section 1953.003, Occupations Code, is amended
Sec. 1953.003.  EXEMPTIONS.  This chapter does not apply to
an individual [a person], including a physician, dentist, engineer,
or veterinarian, who is licensed by an agency of this state other
than the department and who, by nature of the individual's
[person's] employment or duties, might be construed as being
SECTION 3.  Section 1953.101, Occupations Code, is amended
Sec. 1953.101.  REGISTRATION REQUIRED.  An individual [A
person] who engages or offers to engage in work in sanitation may
not represent that the individual [person] is a sanitarian or use a
title containing the word "sanitarian" unless the individual
[person] holds a certificate of registration under this chapter.
SECTION 4.  Section 1953.102, Occupations Code, is amended
Sec. 1953.102.  ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.  (a)  To be
eligible to receive a certificate of registration as a
[professional] sanitarian, an individual [a person] must:
(1)  hold at least a bachelor's degree from an
accredited college or university that includes at least 30 semester
hours in basic or applied science;
(2)  complete any additional training in the basic
sciences or public health the department determines necessary to
effectively serve as a [professional] sanitarian; and
(3)  have at least two years of full-time experience in
(b)  The commission by rule may establish additional [other]
qualifications for registration.
SECTION 5.  The heading to Section 1953.104, Occupations
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 1953.104.  ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE: [PROFESSIONAL]
SECTION 6.  Section 1953.104(a), Occupations Code, is
(a)  The department shall issue a certificate of
registration as a [professional] sanitarian to an individual [a
(1)  applies in the manner and on the form prescribed by
(2)  pays the registration fee set by the commission by
(3)  meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by
Section 1953.102 and commission rule; and
(4)  passes the [an] examination required by Section
SECTION 7.  Section 1953.105(a), Occupations Code, is
(a)  The department shall issue a certificate of
registration as a sanitarian in training to an individual [a
(1)  is employed in sanitation;
(2)  meets the eligibility requirements prescribed by
Section 1953.102, other than the requirements relating to
(3)  has less than one year of full-time experience in
(4)  pays a registration fee prescribed by the
commission by rule for a sanitarian in training; and
(5) [(4)]  passes an examination under Subchapter D.
SECTION 8.  Section 1953.106, Occupations Code, is amended
Sec. 1953.106.  RENEWAL OF CERTIFICATE.  The department
shall [To] renew a certificate of registration under this chapter
if the certificate holder [, a professional sanitarian must]:
(1)  pays [pay] to the department a renewal fee
prescribed by the commission by rule; and
(2)  provides [provide] proof of completion of any
applicable continuing education requirements prescribed by the
SECTION 9.  Section 1953.201(a), Occupations Code, is
(a)  The commission or executive director may deny an
individual's [a person's] application for a certificate of
(1)  the individual's [person's] certificate or license
to engage in a profession in this state or elsewhere has been
revoked for unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit, negligence, or
misconduct in the practice of the profession; or
(2)  satisfactory proof is presented to the commission
or executive director establishing that the individual [person] has
been found guilty of unprofessional conduct, fraud, deceit,
negligence, or misconduct in the practice of a profession.
SECTION 10.  Sections 1953.151(b) and (c), Occupations Code,
SECTION 11.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.