H.B. No. 4721 aims to amend the licensing requirements for marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and social workers in Texas, including provisions for out-of-state applicants. Key changes include the clarification of the roles and responsibilities of the executive council and the board, with the board now tasked with proposing rules regarding qualifications, scope of practice, and continuing education requirements. The bill also introduces new provisions allowing applicants licensed in good standing in other states to count their out-of-state experience towards Texas licensing requirements, thereby streamlining the process for qualified professionals relocating to Texas.

The bill modifies several sections of the Occupations Code, including the criteria for obtaining licenses and the conditions under which examination requirements may be waived for applicants with equivalent qualifications from other states. Notably, it specifies that the board will determine the qualifications for licensure, rather than the executive council, and introduces new subsections that exempt certain applicants from specific experience requirements if they have practiced in another state. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and will apply only to applications submitted after that date.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Occupations Code 502.151, Occupations Code 502.252, Occupations Code 502.2545, Occupations Code 502.259, Occupations Code 503.201, Occupations Code 503.2015, Occupations Code 503.302, Occupations Code 503.3025, Occupations Code 503.308, Occupations Code 505.3575 (Occupations Code 503, Occupations Code 505, Occupations Code 502)