TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 1. TEXAS BOARD OF ARCHITECTURAL EXAMINERS

Chapter 1. ARCHITECTS

Subchapter D. CERTIFICATION AND ANNUAL REGISTRATION

22 TAC §1.68

The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners adopts an amendment to rule §1.68 for Title 22, Chapter 1, Subchapter D, pertaining to inactive status for certificates of registration. The amendment is being adopted with changes. The proposal to amend this rule was first published in the April 12, 2002, Texas Register , (27 TexReg 2918) TRD #200202069. The amendment to this rule will allow inactive registrants to use the title "architect" and will allow an inactive architect who has been actively registered as an architect in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least twenty years and has retired from the practice of architecture to use the title "Emeritus Architect" or "Architect Emeritus." The amended rule will better reflect the statutory provision that is its basis and that a retired architect will not have to maintain an active registration in order to continue to use the title "architect." The changes to the amendment as proposed occur in paragraph (i). The stipulation in paragraph (i) that a nonregistrant may not use the title "Emeritus Architect" or "Architect Emeritus" was moved to a separate, new paragraph (j). The word "valid" was removed from paragraph (i)(2).

The board received no comments regarding the proposal to amend this rule.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Section 3(b) and Section 11A of Article 249a, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes which provide the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners with authority to promulgate rules, including rules related to inactive status.

The amendment to this section does not affect any other statutes.

§1.68Inactive Status

(a) An Architect whose registration is in good standing may apply for Inactive registration status on a form prescribed by the Board.

(b) An Inactive Architect may not Practice Architecture. The prohibition against the Practice of Architecture by Inactive Architects applies to architectural projects that may be designed by Nonregistrants as well as to projects that may be designed only by registered Architects. If an Inactive Architect engages in the Practice of Architecture, the Inactive Architect's registration may be suspended or revoked and the Inactive Architect may be fined as allowed by the Architects' Registration Law for each day that the Inactive Architect has engaged in the Practice of Architecture.

(c) An Inactive Architect shall not use his/her architectural seal during any period that his/her registration is Inactive.

(d) An Inactive Architect shall pay an annual fee as prescribed by the Board.

(e) In order to return his/her registration to active status, an Inactive Architect must:

(1) apply on a form prescribed by the Board;

(2) either submit proof that he/she has completed all continuing education requirements for each year the registration has been Inactive if continuing education was required for that year or, in lieu of completing the outstanding continuing education requirements, successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; and

(3) pay a fee as prescribed by the Board.

(f) An Inactive Architect whose registration has been Inactive for a continuous period of five (5) years or longer must do the following before the Inactive Architect may return to active status:

(1) successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; or

(2) furnish evidence that the Inactive Architect currently holds an architectural registration in another jurisdiction where the registration requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas architectural registration requirements and that the current architectural registration is in good standing.

(g) An application to return to active status may be rejected for any of the reasons that an initial application for registration may be rejected or that a registration may be revoked.

(h) The Board may require that an application to return to active status include verification that the applicant has complied with the laws governing the practice of architecture.

(i) An Inactive Architect may use the title "Emeritus Architect" or "Architect Emeritus" after filing the appropriate form with the board if:

(1) The Inactive Architect has been actively registered as an architect in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least twenty (20) years and has retired from the practice of Architecture; or

(2) the Inactive Architect held an emeritus architectural registration on or before January 1, 2002, and has retired from the practice of Architecture.

(j) A Nonregistrant may not use the title "Emeritus Architect" or "Architect Emeritus."

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 13, 2002.

TRD-200202980

Cathy L. Hendricks, ASID/IIDA

Executive Director

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Effective date: June 2, 2002

Proposal publication date: April 12, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8535


Chapter 3. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS

Subchapter D. CERTIFICATION AND ANNUAL REGISTRATION

22 TAC §3.68

The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners adopts an amendment to rule §3.68 for Title 22, Chapter 3, Subchapter D, pertaining to inactive status for certificates of registration. The amendment is being adopted with changes. The proposal to amend this rule was first published in the April 12, 2002 Texas Register , (27 TexReg 2919) TRD #200202070. The amendment to this rule will allow inactive registrants to use the title "landscape architect" and allow an inactive landscape architect who has been actively registered as a landscape architect in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least twenty years and has retired from the practice of landscape architecture to use the title "Emeritus Landscape Architect" or "Landscape Architect Emeritus." The amended rule will better reflect the statutory provision that is its basis and that a retired landscape architect will not have to maintain an active registration in order to continue to use the title "landscape architect." The changes to the amendment as proposed occurs in paragraph (i). The stipulation that a nonregistrant may not use the title "Emeritus Landscape Architect" or "Landscape Architect Emeritus" was moved to a separate, new paragraph (j). The word "valid" was removed from paragraph (i)(2).

The board received no comments regarding the proposal to amend this rule.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Section 4(a) and Section 6A of Article 249c, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes which provide the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners with authority to promulgate rules, including rules related to inactive status.

The amendment to this section does not affect any other statutes.

§3.68Inactive Status

(a) A Landscape Architect whose registration is in good standing may apply for Inactive registration status on a form prescribed by the Board.

(b) An Inactive Landscape Architect may not practice Landscape Architecture. The prohibition against the practice of Landscape Architecture by Inactive Landscape Architects applies to landscape architectural projects that may be designed by Nonregistrants as well as to projects that may be designed only by registered Landscape Architects. If an Inactive Landscape Architect engages in the practice of Landscape Architecture, the Inactive Landscape Architect's registration may be suspended or revoked and the Inactive Landscape Architect may be fined as allowed by the Landscape Architects' Registration Law for each day that the Inactive Landscape Architect has engaged in the practice of Landscape Architecture.

(c) An Inactive Landscape Architect shall not use his/her landscape architectural seal during any period that his/her registration is Inactive.

(d) An Inactive Landscape Architect shall pay an annual fee as prescribed by the Board.

(e) In order to return his/her registration to active status, an Inactive Landscape Architect must:

(1) apply on a form prescribed by the Board;

(2) either submit proof that he/she has completed all continuing education requirements for each year the registration has been Inactive if continuing education was required for that year or, in lieu of completing the outstanding continuing education requirements, successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; and

(3) pay a fee as prescribed by the Board.

(f) An Inactive Landscape Architect whose registration has been Inactive for a continuous period of five (5) years or longer must do the following before the Inactive Landscape Architect may return to active status:

(1) successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; or

(2) furnish evidence that the Inactive Landscape Architect currently holds a landscape architectural registration in another jurisdiction where the registration requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas landscape architectural registration requirements and that the current landscape architectural registration is in good standing.

(g) An application to return to active status may be rejected for any of the reasons that an initial application for registration may be rejected or that a registration may be revoked.

(h) The Board may require that an application to return to active status include verification that the applicant has complied with the laws governing the practice of landscape architecture.

(i) An Inactive Landscape Architect may use the title "Emeritus Landscape Architect" or "Landscape Architect Emeritus" after filing the appropriate form with the Board if:

(1) the Inactive Landscape Architect has been actively registered as a landscape architect in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least twenty (20) years and has retired from the practice of Landscape Architecture; or

(2) the Inactive Landscape Architect held an emeritus landscape architectural registration on or before January 1, 2002, and has retired from the practice of Landscape Architecture.

(j) Nonregistrants may not use the title "Emeritus Landscape Architect" or "Landscape Architect Emeritus."

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 13, 2002.

TRD-200202981

Cathy L. Hendricks, ASID/IIDA

Executive Director

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Effective date: June 2, 2002

Proposal publication date: April 12, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8535


Chapter 5. INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Subchapter D. CERTIFICATION AND ANNUAL REGISTRATION

22 TAC §5.78

The Texas Board of Architectural Examiners adopts an amendment to rule §5.78 for Title 22, Chapter 5, Subchapter D, pertaining to inactive status for certificates of registration. The amendment is being adopted with changes. The proposal to amend this rule was first published in the April 12, 2002 issue of the Texas Register , (27 TexReg 2920) TRD-200202071. The amendment to this rule will allow inactive registrants to use the title "interior designer" and allow an inactive interior designer who has been actively engaged in the practice of interior design for at least 20 years and actively registered as an interior designer in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least 10 of the 20 years and has retired from the practice of interior design to use the title "Emeritus Interior Designer" or "Interior Designer Emeritus." The amended rule will better reflect the statutory provision that is its basis and that a retired interior designer will not have to maintain an active registration in order to continue to use the title "interior designer." Changes to the amendment as proposed occur in paragraph (i). The stipulation in paragraph (i) that a nonregistrant may not use the title "Emeritus Architect" or "Architect Emeritus" was moved to a separate, new paragraph (j). The word "valid" was removed from paragraph (i)(2). Paragraph (k) was added in order to provide a timetable for the number of years of registration that will be required in order for a registrant to use the title "Emeritus Interior Designer" or "Interior Designer Emeritus."

The board received no comments regarding the proposal to amend this rule.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Section 5(d) and Section 13A of Article 249e, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes which provide the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners with authority to promulgate rules, including rules related to inactive status.

The proposed amendment to this section does not affect any other statutes.

§5.78. Inactive Status.

(a) An Interior Designer whose registration is in good standing may apply for Inactive registration status on a form prescribed by the Board.

(b) An Inactive Interior Designer may not practice Interior Design. If an Inactive Interior Designer engages in the practice of Interior Design, the Inactive Interior Designer's registration may be suspended or revoked and the Inactive Interior Designer may be fined as allowed by the Interior Designers' Registration Law for each day that the Inactive Interior Designer has engaged in the practice of Interior Design.

(c) An Inactive Interior Designer shall not use or display his/her interior design seal during any period that his/her registration is Inactive.

(d) An Inactive Interior Designer shall pay an annual fee as prescribed by the Board.

(e) In order to return his/her registration to active status, an Inactive Interior Designer must:

(1) apply on a form prescribed by the Board;

(2) either submit proof that he/she has completed all continuing education requirements for each year the registration has been Inactive if continuing education was required for that year or, in lieu of completing the outstanding continuing education requirements, successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; and

(3) pay a fee as prescribed by the Board.

(f) An Inactive Interior Designer whose registration has been Inactive for a continuous period of five (5) years or longer must do the following before the Inactive Interior Designer may return to active status:

(1) successfully complete all sections of the current registration examination during the five (5) years immediately preceding the return to active status; or

(2) furnish evidence that the Inactive Interior Designer currently holds an interior design registration in another jurisdiction where the registration requirements are substantially equivalent to Texas interior design registration requirements and that the current interior design registration is in good standing.

(g) An application to return to active status may be rejected for any of the reasons that an initial application for registration may be rejected or that a registration may be revoked.

(h) The Board may require that an application to return to active status include verification that the applicant has complied with the laws governing the registration of interior designers.

(i) An Inactive Interior Designer may use the title "Emeritus Interior Designer" or "Interior Designer Emeritus" after filing the appropriate form with the Board if:

(1) The Inactive Interior Designer has been actively registered as an interior designer in Texas or in another jurisdiction for at least ten (10) years and has retired from the practice of Interior Design; or

(2) the Inactive Interior Designer held an emeritus interior design registration on or before January 2, 2002, and has retired from the practice of Interior Design.

(j) Nonregistrants may not use the title "Emeritus Interior Designer" or "Interior Designer Emeritus."

(k) As of January 1, 2008, at least fifteen (15) years of registration shall be required under Subsection 5.78(i)(1). As of January 1, 2013, at least twenty (20) years of registration shall be required under Subsection 5.78(i)(1).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 14, 2002.

TRD-200202982

Cathy L. Hendricks, ASID/IIDA

Executive Director

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners

Effective date: June 3, 2002

Proposal publication date: April 12, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8535


Part 3. TEXAS BOARD OF CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINERS

Chapter 73. LICENSES AND RENEWALS

22 TAC §73.2

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners adopts amendments to §73.2, relating to renewal of a chiropractic license, without changes to the proposed text as published in the February 22, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1259). The text of the rule as amended will not be republished.

The board currently is required to deny renewal to a licensee that is in default of a loan guaranteed by the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corporation (TGSLC) or in breach of a repayment agreement, under §57.491 of the Education Code. Section 73.2(c) sets out the mandatory non-renewal requirement of §57.491 for TGSLC loans. The legislature, in 2001, passed House Bill 1755 (HB 1755) (creating chapter 56 of the Occupations Code), which gives discretionary authority to certain occupational licensing agencies, including the board, to deny an application for a license or renewal or to discipline a licensee for default on student loans or breach of a loan repayment agreement or the service obligation in a scholarship contract. HB 1755 also permits a licensing agency to rescind its action upon receipt of information that the person has repaid the loan or otherwise made arrangements, which effectively place the person in good standing with regard to the loan, repayment or scholarship agreement. Likewise, HB 1755 authorizes a licensing agency to reinstate any action or take other disciplinary action upon notice that the person is once again in default or in breach of contract relating to the loan, repayment or scholarship.

The board reads HB 1755 and §57.491 of the Education Code as giving it discretionary authority to take disciplinary action against a licensee or deny an application for licensure to a person, who is not in good standing with respect to a student loan, or repayment or scholarship agreement, including one guaranteed by the TGSLC. Under these statutes, the board only has discretionary authority to deny renewal with respect to a licensee with a non-TGSLC loan.

This rulemaking amends §73.2 to give notice to chiropractic licensees of the possible non-renewal if a licensee is not in good standing with regard to other student loans or scholarships. Other non-substantive changes have been made to update statutory references and for format.

By separate rulemakings, the board also amended §71.3, relating to applicants for licensure, and §74.2 and §74.3, relating to facility licenses, to provide similar notice to applicants and current facility licensees that the board may refuse to grant or renew a chiropractic or facility license if the person is not in good standing with regard to student loans or scholarships. Lastly, the board amended chapter 80 to provide notice to current licensees that the board may take disciplinary action against a person's chiropractic and facility license for the same reasons. The adopted amendments were published in the March 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2434)

These rules implement state policy to discourage defaults on student loans and scholarship obligation by providing sanctions against licensees who are in default. The rule provides greater assurance that chiropractors will meet their loan or scholarship commitments, thus, ensuring the integrity of student loan and scholarship programs.

No comments were received concerning the proposed amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Occupations Code §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the Chiropractic Act, and Occupations Code chapter 56, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules providing for implementation of the chapter by the board.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 16, 2002.

TRD-200203034

Gary K. Cain, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: June 5, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 22, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Chapter 75. RULES OF PRACTICE

22 TAC §75.7

The Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners adopts an amendment to §75.7(a), relating to board fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2395). The text of the rule as amended will not be republished.

By this amendment, the board is increasing the renewal fees for chiropractic licensees by $5 to cover the costs of participation in the Texas Online Project. Section 2054.252 of the Government Code creates the Project and requires the board and other licensing agencies to participate in the project, including establishing a profile system as provided in §2054.2606 of the Government Code. Subsection (d) of §2054.2606 authorizes the Texas Online Authority to prepare rules for adoption by the Department of Information Resources' (DIR) board that set the amount of fee that a participating licensing agency may charge its license holders. On February 20, 2002, the DIR approved on an emergency basis, rules setting the fee at $5 pursuant to §2054.2606(d). Senate Bill 187, 77th Legislature, Regular Session, chapter 342, §11, requires licensing agencies to begin collecting the fee authorized by subsection (d), on January 1, 2002. However, the board did not meet that deadline due to the delay by the Online Authority and the DIR in setting the amount of the required fee. The DIR has informed the board that the profiling system will only cover chiropractors, and not other licensees of the agency. The board accordingly adopts the $5 increase for renewal of a chiropractic license, under §2054.2606(d). The increase will be applied beginning with licensees whose licenses are renewed on July 1, 2002. The fee is intended to offset the additional administrative costs incurred by the agency from its participation in the Texas Online Project's profile system.

No comments were received concerning the proposed amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupations Code, §201.152, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt rules necessary for the performance of its duties, the regulation of the practice of chiropractic, and the enforcement of the act, §201.153, which the board interprets as authorizing it to adopt necessary fees for administration of its programs, and Senate Bill 187, which mandates the fee increase.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 16, 2002.

TRD-200203035

Gary K. Cain, Ed.D.

Executive Director

Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Effective date: June 5, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 29, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6709


Part 22. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY

Chapter 513. REGISTRATION

Subchapter B. REGISTRATION OF CPA FIRMS

22 TAC §513.13

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopts new §513.13, concerning Death of a Sole Proprietor with changes to the proposed text as published in the March 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2396). The change to the rule is in paragraph (2) where the word certification has been changed to certificate.

The new rule allows for less inconvenience to the sole proprietorship's clients through continuation of services by the sole proprietorship, and the sole proprietorship can be sold as a going concern.

The new rule will function by permitting a needed provision of repealed §513.86 to remain in effect. The new rule will address the limited continuance of a licensed sole proprietorship after the death of the sole proprietor.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The new rule is adopted under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 2001) which provides the agency with the authority to amend, adopt and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Act.

§513.13.Death of a Sole Proprietor.

Upon written authorization from the executive director, a sole proprietorship may continue to operate for a period of up to 12 months following the death of the sole proprietor. The executive director, subject to ratification at the next board meeting, may permit the continued operation of the sole proprietorship when he has been provided with:

(1) a certified copy of the sole proprietor's death certificate;

(2) a copy of the power of attorney from the sole proprietor's executor, administrator, or heir designating a certificate or registration holder in good standing with the board to manage the sole proprietorship on behalf of such party. When such party is not a certificate or registration holder, the power of attorney must authorize a certificate or registration holder to manage the sole proprietorship on behalf of such party; and

(3) written evidence that a disruption in the continuation of the sole proprietorship would jeopardize the survivability of the firm.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 17, 2002.

TRD-200203064

Amanda G. Birrell

General Counsel

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Effective date: June 6, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 29, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7848


Chapter 521. FEE SCHEDULE

22 TAC §521.13

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy adopts an amendment to §521.13, concerning Firm License Fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 29, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 2397).

The amendment reduces confusion among the board's licensees regarding firm license fees.

The amendment will function by changing language in the chart of this rule to reduce confusion regarding when a licensed CPA firm may pay only a flat licensing fee of $50.00 a year.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rule.

The amendment is adopted under the Public Accountancy Act, Tex. Occupations Code, Section 901.151 (Vernon 2001) which provides the agency with the authority to amend, adopt and repeal rules deemed necessary or advisable to effectuate the Act.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 17, 2002.

TRD-200203065

Amanda G. Birrell

General Counsel

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy

Effective date: June 6, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 29, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-7848