Title OC, Occupations Code

Sec. 801.021. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Commission" means the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation. (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1103 (S.B. 1414), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 20…

Sec. 801.022. TEMPORARY ADMINISTRATION OF CHAPTER BY DEPARTMENT; RULES. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, the department shall assume all policy-making powers of the board and administer this chapter. The department may contract as necessary to administer this chapter. (b) A pow…

Sec. 801.023. SEPARATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS OF BOARD. (a) The executive director of the department shall direct and may dismiss the board's executive director, and has authority relating to personnel actions as if the board's executive director were an employee of the de…

Sec. 801.024. ADVISORY BOARD. (a) Notwithstanding Subchapter D, the board is an advisory board to the department. (b) The board, the equine dental provider advisory committee, and any advisory committee appointed under Section 801.163 shall provide advice and recommendations to t…

Sec. 801.025. CONFLICT WITH OTHER LAW. (a) Notwithstanding Section 51.003, to the extent of any conflict between this chapter and Chapter 51, this chapter controls. (b) To the extent of any conflict between this subchapter and another provision of this chapter, this subchapter co…

Sec. 801.026. EXPIRATION. This subchapter expires September 1, 2027. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1103 (S.B. 1414), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2023. SUBCHAPTER B. STATE BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERS

Sec. 801.051. BOARD; MEMBERSHIP. (a) The State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows: (1) five veterinarian members, including: (A) one veterinarian member who is associated wi…

Sec. 801.052. MEMBERSHIP ELIGIBILITY. (a) A person is eligible for appointment as a veterinarian member of the board if the person: (1) has resided and practiced veterinary medicine in this state for the six years preceding the date of appointment; (2) is of good repute; and (3) …

Sec. 801.053. MEMBERSHIP AND EMPLOYEE RESTRICTIONS. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state designed to assist its members and its industry or profession …

Sec. 801.054. TERMS; VACANCY. (a) Members of the board are appointed for staggered six-year terms. (b) If a vacancy occurs because of the death or resignation of a board member, the governor shall appoint a replacement to fill the unexpired term. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Se…

Sec. 801.055. OFFICERS. (a) The governor shall designate a veterinarian member of the board as the presiding officer of the board to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. (b) At the first meeting of the board each year, the board shall elect from its members any…

Sec. 801.056. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL. (a) It is a ground for removal from the board that a member: (1) does not have at the time of taking office the qualifications required by Section 801.052; (2) does not maintain during service on the board the qualifications required by Section …

Sec. 801.057. TRAINING. (a) A person who is appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the board may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board until the person completes a training program that complies with this section. (b…

Sec. 801.058. PER DIEM; REIMBURSEMENT. A board member is entitled to receive: (1) a per diem, as set by legislative appropriation, for each day that the member engages in board business; and (2) reimbursement for travel expenses, as prescribed by the General Appropriations Act, i…

Sec. 801.059. OATH OF OFFICE. Before assuming the duties of office, each board member shall file with the secretary of state a signed copy of the constitutional oath of office taken by the member. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. SUBCHAPTER C. EXECUTIVE …

Sec. 801.101. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. The board shall appoint an executive director. The executive director serves at the will of the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 874 (S.B. 2155), Sec. 3, eff. September …

Sec. 801.102. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The executive director shall: (1) perform any duties assigned by the board and other duties specified by law; (2) administer and enforce the board's programs; and (3) issue licenses regulated by the board. (b) The executive …

Sec. 801.103. PERSONNEL. The board may employ personnel to administer this chapter and may prescribe their duties and compensation, subject to the personnel policies and budget approved by the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2025…

Sec. 801.104. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. The board shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking responsibilities of the board and the management responsibilities of the executive director and the staff of the board. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388,…

Sec. 801.105. QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT INFORMATION. The board shall provide as often as necessary to its members and employees information regarding their: (1) qualifications for office or employment under this chapter; and (2) responsibilities under applicable law…

Sec. 801.106. CAREER LADDER PROGRAM; PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS. (a) The executive director or the executive director's designee shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program. The program must require intra-agency postings of all nonentry level positions concurrently with any …

Sec. 801.107. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY; REPORT. (a) The executive director or the executive director's designee shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement to ensure implementation of an equal employment opportunity program under which all personnel transacti…

Sec. 801.150. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF BOARD. The board shall: (1) supervise the executive director's administration of this chapter; (2) formulate policy objectives for the board; and (3) approve the board's operating budget and requests for legislative appropriations. Added…

Sec. 801.151. RULES. (a) The board shall adopt rules as necessary to administer this chapter. (b) The board shall adopt rules of professional conduct appropriate to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity, skills, and practice in the veterinary medicine profession. (c…

Sec. 801.152. EXCEPTIONS TO RULE. (a) The board may consider an exception to a rule adopted by the board on the request of a person subject to board regulation. (b) After notice and hearing, the board may approve an exception to a board rule. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1…

Sec. 801.153. RULES RESTRICTING ADVERTISING OR COMPETITIVE BIDDING. (a) The board may not adopt a rule restricting advertising or competitive bidding by a person regulated by the board except to prohibit a false, misleading, or deceptive practice by that person. (b) In its rules …

Sec. 801.154. FEES. The board by rule shall set fees in amounts that are reasonable and necessary so that the fees, in the aggregate, cover the costs of administering this chapter. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., …

Sec. 801.155. PAYMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS. Costs incurred by the board in administrating this chapter, including the compensation and expenses of board members and employees, may be paid only from fees collected under this chapter. Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. …

Sec. 801.156. DATA; PUBLIC ACCESS. (a) The board shall maintain an electronic system allowing it to provide accurate reporting of information relating to license holders and applicants, complaints, enforcement actions, investigations, and inspections. (b) The board shall provide …

Sec. 801.157. PEER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. (a) The board shall establish or approve a peer assistance program for veterinarians. The peer assistance program must comply with Chapter 467, Health and Safety Code. (b) The board may order a veterinarian who is subject to disciplinary act…

Sec. 801.158. SUBPOENA. (a) The board or executive director may request and, if necessary, compel by subpoena: (1) the attendance of witnesses for examination under oath; and (2) the production for inspection or copying of books, accounts, records, papers, correspondence, documen…

Sec. 801.159. BOARD DUTIES REGARDING COMPLAINTS. (a) The board by rule shall: (1) adopt a form to standardize information relating to complaints filed with the board; and (2) prescribe information to be provided to a person when the person files a complaint with the board. (b) Th…

Sec. 801.160. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) The board shall file annually with the governor and the presiding officer of each house of the legislature a complete and detailed written report accounting for all funds received and disbursed by the board during the preceding fiscal year. (b) Th…

Sec. 801.161. USE OF TECHNOLOGY. (a) The board shall implement a policy requiring the board to use appropriate technological solutions to improve the board's ability to perform its functions. The policy must ensure that the public is able to interact with the board on the Interne…

Sec. 801.162. ALTERNATIVE RULEMAKING AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. (a) The board shall develop and implement a policy to encourage the use of: (1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter 2008, Government Code, for the adoption of board rules; and (2) appropriate alter…

Sec. 801.163. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) The board may appoint advisory committees to perform advisory functions as assigned by the board. (b) An advisory committee shall provide independent expertise on board functions and policies, but may not be involved in setting board policy.…

Sec. 801.1631. INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS. (a) The board may conduct inspections or investigations as necessary to enforce the laws administered by the board. (b) To perform its functions under Subsection (a), the board may, during reasonable business hours: (1) enter a veter…

Sec. 801.164. RISK-BASED INSPECTIONS. (a) The board shall prioritize inspections relating to key risk factors identified by the board, including previous violations by the license holder or information concerning a veterinarian's use, handling, prescribing, dispensing, or deliver…

Sec. 801.165. REFUND. (a) Subject to Subsection (b), if the board finds that the license holder has committed an act that is grounds for license denial or disciplinary action under Section 801.402, the board or executive director may order a license holder to pay a refund to a co…

Sec. 801.166. RECIPROCITY AGREEMENTS. The board, with approval of the governor, may enter into an agreement with another state to allow for licensing by reciprocity. Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 874 (S.B. 2155), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER E. PUBLIC AC…

Sec. 801.201. PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION. (a) The board shall prepare information of public interest describing the functions of the board and the procedures by which complaints are filed with and resolved by the board. (b) The board shall make the information available to the p…

Sec. 801.202. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION. (a) The board shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the board and to speak on any issue under the board's jurisdiction. (b) The board shall prepare and maintain a written pla…

Sec. 801.203. COMPLAINTS. (a) The board by rule shall establish methods by which consumers and service recipients are notified of the name, mailing address, and telephone number of the board for the purpose of directing complaints to the board. (b) The board shall list with its r…

Sec. 801.204. RECORDS OF COMPLAINTS. (a) The board shall maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints filed with the board. The board shall maintain information about parties to the complaint, the subject matter of the complaint, a summary of the results of the…

Sec. 801.205. GENERAL RULES REGARDING COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND DISPOSITION. The board shall adopt rules relating to the investigation and disposition of complaints filed with the board. The rules must: (1) distinguish between categories of complaints; (2) ensure that complaint…

Sec. 801.2051. PRIORITY OF COMPLAINTS. The board shall assign priorities and investigate complaints based on risk posed to the public by the conduct alleged in the complaint. The board shall prioritize complaints regarding persons engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine wi…