Active-duty servicemembers, veterans and military spouses can now use a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation website to help eligible individuals obtain a license using their military experience.
The website includes a search function that matches TDLR-issued occupational licenses with the military training and experiences of servicemembers and veterans who want to transition their military occupations to the civilian world. The search identifies occupations that the servicemember or veteran would be qualified for, either immediately or through additional education and training.
Also included in the website are important resources to assist servicemembers and veterans who want to pursue an entirely new career after military service. These resources identify the needed education and training to enter a new profession, as well as the employment outlook and potential salary range of civilian jobs in the occupation.
“TDLR will do all we can to honor military families and make it as easy as possible for service members, veterans and their spouses to continue their careers here in Texas,” said Brian E. Francis, TDLR executive director. “They served us with honor. It’s our honor now to serve them.”
In addition to the military licensing information, TDLR offers a site for military spouses, who have several avenues for licensing available to them, thanks to a law passed during the last legislative session (SB 1200, 86th Texas Legislature).
Military spouses who move to Texas and hold certain occupational licenses in other states can apply to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation for:
• Option 1: a standard license using reciprocity. If a military spouse currently holds an occupational license in another state that has substantially equivalent license requirements or has a reciprocity agreement with Texas, TDLR will issue a standard Texas license that may be renewed on expiration. This option requires successfully passing a criminal history background check.
• Option 2: a three-year license. Provides a spouse with a three-year license to work in Texas, based on their out-of-state license. Spouses must pass a criminal history background check to apply using this method, but there is no application fee and no examination. The license is not renewable, and after it expires, the military spouse must apply and meet standard Texas licensing requirements.
• Option 3: a three-year letter of authorization. Provides a spouse with a three-year authorization letter to work in Texas, based on their out-of-state license. There is no application fee, no examination, and no criminal history background check. The authorization letter is not renewable. After three years, the military spouse must apply and meet standard Texas licensing requirements. The authorization is invalidated if the military spouse’s partner leaves military service, is no longer stationed in Texas, or the couple divorces.