TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 18. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PODIATRIC MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 371. EXAMINATIONS

22 TAC §§371.1 - 371.6, 371.8, 371.11, 371.13

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes amendments to §§371.1 - 371.6, 371.8, 371.11 and 371.13, concerning Examinations. The amendments are being proposed to make the necessary changes needed to include the Texas Occupations Code numbering system that replaces the old Texas Civil Statutes and to change the rules for the administration of the examination to be changed from an oral to a jurisprudence exam.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Mr. Hymans has also determined that for each year for the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be that the candidates will not have to wait for six months to take the test and therefore will be able to get a license and serve the public more quickly. There will be no cost to the public, small, large or micro businesses as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer III, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216, Janie.Alonzo@foot.state.tx.us.

The amendments are being proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The proposed amendments implement Texas Occupations Code, §202.254.

§371.1.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) Act --The Podiatric Medical Practice Act, Texas Occupations Code, §202.001, et seq [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4567, et seq ].

(2) (No change.)

(3) Board --The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners as established and authorized by the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of Texas, Texas Occupations Code, §202.001, et seq [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4567, et seq ].

(4) - (5) (No change.)

(6) Examinee --A person who has been admitted to take the examination given by or at the direction of the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical [ Podiatry ] Examiners as a requirement for licensing to practice podiatry in the State of Texas.

(7) - (8) (No change.)

(9) President --The president of the State Board of Podiatric Medical [ Podiatry ] Examiners.

(10) Secretary-treasurer --The secretary-treasurer of the State Board of Podiatric Medical [ Podiatry ] Examiners.

§371.2.Applicant for License.

(a) Any person who wishes to practice podiatric medicine in this state, who is not otherwise licensed under law, must successfully pass an examination given at the Board's direction pursuant to §371.11 of this title (relating to Scoring and Reporting), and complete the graduate podiatric medical education requirements as set forth herein, §371.3(f) of this title (relating to Qualifications of Applicants). One who successfully completes all the requirements for licensing as set forth in these rules and who has made payment of all applicable fees shall be awarded a valid license to practice podiatric medicine in the State of Texas for the term lawfully stipulated by and under the conditions set forth in these Rules, and the Podiatric Medical Practice Act of Texas, Texas Occupations Code, §202, Subchapter F [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4567B, et seq ].

(b) Any person who wishes to sit [ set ] for the examination, shall submit a written application on a form provided by the Board. The applicant shall verify by affidavit the information in the application. The Board may refuse to admit to the examination or grant a license to any applicant who knowingly submits false information to the Board.

(c) - (f) (No change.)

(g) Temporary License.

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(5) All temporary licensees shall be subject to the same fees and penalties as all other licensees as set forth in the Podiatric Medical [ medical ]Practice Act of Texas, Texas Occupations Code, §202 et seq. [ Article 4567 et seq. ], and subsequent amendments, including §202.153 [ Article 4574 ] of said Act, and Chapter 376 of this title (relating to Violations and Penalties), except that temporary licensees are not subject to any Board rules concerning continuing medical education.

(6) (No change.)

(h) - (j) (No change.)

§371.3.Qualification of Applicants.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) All applicants shall have completed the number of college courses required by the Texas Occupations Code, §202.252(b)(3), [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4570(b)(3), ] and graduated from an accredited college of Podiatric Medicine in the United States. The applicant's entire course of instruction must be from such an approved college, and the college must have been so approved during the entire course of the applicant's course of instruction.

(d) - (e) (No change.)

(f) If §371.6(d) of this title (relating to Administration of Examination [ Time, Place and Scope of Examinations ]) applies, all applicants must meet the overall minimum cut score for the jurisprudence [ criterion referenced ] exam. Each applicant shall cause their test scores from such exam to be sent directly from the testing entity to the Board.

(g) - (j) (No change.)

§371.4.Qualifications of Candidates.

(a) A candidate, to be eligible to take the examination given by the Board, must not only meet the requirements of §371.3 of this title (relating to Qualifications of Applicants) but must also be prepared to demonstrate to the Board that such candidate is not disqualified from taking the examination for any of the reasons set forth in Texas Occupations Code, §202.253(a)(1) - (18). [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4570(d)(1)- (18). ]

(b) If any board member has sufficient reason to believe that a candidate does not meet the requirements of Texas Occupations Code, §202.252 and §202.253 [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4570 ], then the board member may request the president to call a hearing to determine whether the candidate is qualified to take the examination.

(c) The full Board or one or more board members appointed by the president may conduct such hearing, as provided by §377.7(b) of this title (relating to Conduct and Decorum).

§371.5.Approved Colleges of Podiatric Medicine in the United States.

The Board shall annually approve colleges of podiatric medicine in the United States whose graduates are candidates for examination or licensing under the provisions of Texas Occupations Code, §202.252 [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4570 ]. The Board approves and adopts by reference the standards for accrediting colleges of podiatric medicine adopted by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association. The standards are available from the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216. The Board considers any college of podiatric medicine accredited by the Council on Podiatric Medical Education of the American Podiatric Medical Association as a college approved by the Board.

Administration of Examination. [ Time, Place and Scope of Examinations ]

(a) Examinations administered by the board for licensure - To be eligible for licensure an applicant must sit for and pass the Texas Podiatric medical jurisprudence examination administered by the board. The board shall administer the Texas Podiatric medical jurisprudence examination at times and places as designated by the board. [ The examination may consist of sections, including written, practical, and oral, or any combination of such. ]

(b) All candidates shall be provided a candidates handbook that shall explain detailed information about the examination process prior to exam administration.

(c) [ (b) ] Candidates shall not be permitted to bring any source [ medical books, notes, medical journals, or other ] help into the examination room, or to communicate by word or sign with another examinee while an examination is in progress without permission of the presiding examiner and within the hearing of a designated representative of the Board; nor shall the examinee leave the examination room except when permitted by the presiding examiners and accompanied by a member or an employee of the Board.

(d) [ (c) ] A license shall not be issued to any person who has been detected in a deceptive, dishonest or fraudulent act while taking an examination required by the Board.

(e) [ (d) ] At the option and in the complete discretion of the Board, the examination may be conducted, in whole or in part, upon a vote of a majority of the Board, by any school, institute, or organization that is deemed by the same majority of the Board to provide adequate and fair examinations of sufficient high standards as to continue to insure high quality practitioners in the State of Texas. The manner of examination, the time of examination and the scheduling of the examination, as well as fee requirements and grading operations may then be delegated by the Board to such an entity, provided, however, that examination results, grades and copies of the examination are made available to the Board and are sent directly from the delegated entity to the Board, and the Board is to maintain a record of the examination results.

§371.8.Exam Development Committee.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) The Exam Development Committee shall construct examinations from the committee's test specifications which reflects [ the ] knowledge of the boards rules which govern the practice of podiatric medicine in Texas [ and skills necessary for competent performance from the perspective of public protection ].

§371.11.Scoring [ and Reporting ].

[ (a) ] The passing score for the examination shall be determined by the Board using accepted criterion-referenced methods.

[(b) The Board shall notify each candidate within 30 days from the examination date of the examination results.]

§371.13.Examination Disqualification.

(a) Applicants who wish to take the examination but who may be disqualified for reasons set out in Texas Occupations Code, §202.253 [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4570 ], shall be entitled to a hearing before the Board or a subcommittee of the Board, but such hearing may be informal and need not be held in accordance with Chapter 377 of this title (relating to Procedure Governing Grievances, Hearings, and Appeals).

(b) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Any applicant who is refused admittance to an examination has the right to appeal such decision in accordance with §377.43 of this title (relating to Procedure Governing Grievances, Hearings, and Appeals), and Texas Occupations Code §202.258 [ Texas Civil Statutes, Articles 4570 ], and Government Code, §§2001.001 et. seq.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104849

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer III

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7002


22 TAC §371.9, §371.10

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposed the repeal of §371.9 and §371.10, concerning Administration of Examination and Skill Examiners. The repeal is being proposed to delete rules that will no longer be needed when the new Jurisprudence examination begins.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal is in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.

Mr. Hymans has also determined that for each year for the first five years the repeal is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be that it will be to eliminate rules that are no longer needed. There will be no cost to the public, small, large or micro businesses as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer III, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216, Janie.Alonzo@foot.state.tx.us.

The repeals are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric mMedical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The proposed repeals have no other implications.

§371.9.Administration of Examination.

§371.10.Skill Examiners.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104848

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer III

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7002


Chapter 376. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES

22 TAC §376.2, §376.21

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes amendments to §376.2 concerning Administrative Penalties and a new §376.21 regarding Definitions. The amendments are being proposed to make the necessary changes needed to include the Texas Occupations Code numbering system that replaces the old Texas Civil Statutes and to add a definition for investigator to include the new podiatric medical reviewers.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect there will be no fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Mr. Hymans has also determined that for each year for the first five years the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be more timely investigation of complaints filed with the board. There will be no cost to the public, small, large or micro businesses as a result of enforcing or administering these sections.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer III, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216, Janie.Alonzo@foot.state.tx.us.

The amendments and new section are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §202.251, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The proposed amendments and new section implement Texas Occupations Code, §202.204 and affects all of Chapter 376 regarding Violations and Penalties.

§376.2.Administrative Penalties.

(a) - (e) (No change.)

(f) If the final order of the Board [ board ] imposes an administrative penalty against a licensee, the licensee may pay the amount of the penalty, pay the amount of the penalty and file a petition for judicial review contesting the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both, or the licensee may, without paying the penalty, file a petition for judicial review contesting the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the penalty, or both pursuant to Texas Occupations Code Subchapter L, §§202.551 - 202.561 [ Article 4567e ] .

(g) - (h) (No change.)

§376.21.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: Investigator --Person designated by the board to conduct investigations on behalf of the board. The term includes Podiatric Medical Reviewers.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104850

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer III

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7002


Chapter 379. FEES AND LICENSE RENEWAL

22 TAC §379.1

The Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners proposes an amendment to §379.1, concerning Fees. The board must adopt this on an emergency basis due to the fact that they must raise the renewal fee to cover costs mandated by the 2002 - 2003 Appropriations Bill. The bill states that we must raise additional revenue above and beyond what we already collect in order to receive the funding.

Allen M. Hymans, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Hymans has also determined that for each year for the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to allow the agency to recover sufficient revenue to cover its costs in providing licensure for podiatric physicians and in servicing requests for information to its licensees and the public. The additional cost will be $90.00 for each podiatric physician each year. There will be no cost to the public, small, large or micro businesses as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Comments on or about the proposal may be submitted to Janie Alonzo, Staff Services Officer III, Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners, P.O. Box 12216, Austin, Texas 78711-2216, Janie.Alonzo@foot.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §202.151, which provides the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners with the authority to adopt reasonable or necessary rules and bylaws consistent with the law regulating the practice of podiatry, the law of this state, and the law of the United States to govern its proceedings and activities, the regulation of the practice of podiatry and the enforcement of the law regulating the practice of podiatry.

The proposed amendments implement the Texas Occupations Code §202.153.

§379.1.Fees.

(a) The fees set by the Board and [ an ] collected by the Board must be sufficient to meet the expenses of administering the Podiatric Medical Practice Act, subsequent amendments, and the applicable rules and regulations.

(b) Fees are as follows:

(1) - (6) (No change.)

(7) Renewal-- $425 [ $335 ]

(8) Renewal Penalty--as specified in Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 202, §301(d) [ Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4571, §1(e)-(h) ].

(9) - (15) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104852

Janie Alonzo

Staff Services Officer III

Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7002


Part 25. STRUCTURAL PEST CONTROL BOARD

Chapter 593. LICENSES

22 TAC §593.7

The Structural Pest Control Board proposes amendments of §593.7, concerning fees. The proposal increases licensing fees for businesses, certified applicators and technicians.

Dale Burnett, Executive Director has determined that there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or administering the rule. There is no estimated additional cost or estimated reduction in cost, however, there will be an estimated increase in revenue to state government for the first five-year period the rule will be in effect. There will be no estimated additional cost, estimated reduction in cost or estimated loss or increase in revenue on local government for the first five-year period the rule will be in effect. The cost of compliance with the rule for small businesses will be an increase of $31.00, from $144.00 to $175.00 for business license. Additional cost will depend upon the number of employees and the category of licensing of each employee. The cost comparison per employee is indeterminate for small or large businesses affected by the rule. There will be no cost comparison per hour of labor or cost per $100 of sales for small or large businesses affected by the rule.

Dale Burnett, Executive Director, has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule as proposed is in effect, the public benefits anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule as proposed will be to meet revenue requirements as set forth in the 77th edition of the Texas Legislature. There is no anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the rule as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Frank M. Crull, General Counsel, Structural Pest Control Board, 1106 Clayton Lane #100LW, Austin, Texas 78723.

The amendment is proposed under Vernon's Tex.Civ.Stat.Ann., Article 135b-6, which provides the Structural Pest Control Board with the authority to license and regulate the structural pest control industry.

No other statute, code or article is affected by this proposal.

§593.7.Fees.

(a) Applicants, licensees and continuing education providers will be charged the following fees:

(1) $175 [ $144 ] for an original or renewal of business license;

(2) $80 [ $72 ] for an original or renewal of a certified applicators license;

(3) $60 [ $45 ] for an original or renewal of a technician license;

(4) $30 for duplicate business license, certified applicator license or technician license when the original has been lost or destroyed;

(5) $30 for reissuing a business license, certified applicators license or technician license due to a name change in the license;

(6) $40 for administering exams in each category;

(7) $37.50 for late renewal fee for up to thirty (30) days late;

(8) $75 for late renewal fee for thirty one (31)-sixty (60) days late;

(9) $40 for continuing education course.

(b) The following fees are based on increments of six (6) months.

(1) Business License Fees

(A) Issued/Renewed for 1-6 months $87.50 [ $72.00 ]

(B) Issued/Renewed for 7-12 months $175.00 [ $144.00 ]

(C) Issued/Renewed for 13-18 months $262.50 [ $216.00 ]

(2) Certified Applicator License Fees

(A) Issued/Renewed for 1-6 months $40.00 [ $36.00 ]

(B) Issued/Renewed for 7-12 months $80.00 [ $72.00 ]

(C) Issued/Renewed for 13-18 months $120.00 [ $108.00 ]

(3) Technician License Fees

(A) Issued/Renewed for 1-6 months $30.00 [ $22.50 ]

(B) Issued/Renewed for 7-12 months $60.00 [ $45.00 ]

(C) Issued/Renewed for 13-18 months $90.00 [ $67.50 ]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on August 16, 2001.

TRD-200104802

Dale Burnett

Executive Director

Structural Pest Control Board

Proposed date of adoption: October 8, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 451-7200