Know Your Regulator (Video Podcast)

Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)

• Protective Services Providers – Child Care Regulation
• Child Care Licensing – Monitors all child-care operations and child-placing agencies for compliance with state licensing standards, rules and laws
• Department of Family and Protective Services

If you are an insurance adjuster or agent, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI). The TDI licenses, regulates, and certifies insurers, adjusters, and other insurance professionals like yourself. The TDI also provides important information and ensures that the insurance market is fair and stable.

If a complaint is filed against your license, the TDI will conduct an investigation and recommend disciplinary action. Familiarizing yourself with the rules and regulations enforced by the TDI can help you avoid making a career-ending mistake.

Learning about the offices that comprise the TDI can also help you obtain important information about your profession. Make sure to take note of the following TDI offices:

• Chief Deputy Commissioner
• Administrative Operations
• Consumer Operations
• Financial Regulation
• Fraud and Enforcement
• General Counsel
• Property and Casualty

If the TDI is currently investigating you due to complaints made against your license, you won’t want to make contact with a member of the board. Instead, consider hiring a Texas insurance license defense attorney to help you provide the necessary information.

That said, reaching out to the board for information about your profession can help you abide by the rules and avoid an investigation. To learn more about your license and the rules that apply to it, reach out to one of the following offices:

• Help line: Call 800.252.3439 for help.
• TDI Main line: Call 800.578.4677.
• Fraud unit: Call 800.252.3439 to report fraud.
• Agent & Adjuster Licensing Office: Call 512.676.6500 to speak with a representative from this office.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) oversees primary and secondary public education in Texas and monitors for compliance with state and federal guidelines. The State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC), a division of the TEA, handles complaints made against educators and sanctions educators who are found guilty of violating rules or laws.

Learning about the laws and rules set forth by the TEA can help you avoid an investigation and life-altering disciplinary actions. If you’ve received notice that you are under investigation, a Texas teacher license defense lawyer can help you respond to the notice and handle communications with relevant parties.

If you are interested in learning more about the rules that apply to your license or have another inquiry, the following contact information may be of use to you:

• Main contacts: The switchboard number is 512.463.9734, and the main fax number is 512.463.9838.
• Public Information Requests (PIA): The open records main line is 512.463.3464, the fax number is 512.463.1022, and the email is [email protected].
• State Board of Education Support: The phone number is 512.463.9007, and the email is [email protected].

BHEC Mission

• The mission of the Council is to protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that behavioral health services and social work practice are provided by qualified and competent practitioners who adhere to established professional standards.

BHEC Council Membership

• BHEC Council consists of 9 members appointed by the governor and other council members and serve a total of 2-year terms.
• The Presiding Officer serves a 6-year term.

BHEC Oversees the following Boards

• Texas State Board of Examiners of Marriage and Family Therapists (TSBMF)
• Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBPC)
• Texas State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBP)
• Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners (TSBSW)

Tx. State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (TSBMF)

• Protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that behavioral health services and social work practice are provided by qualified and competent practitioners who adhere to established professional standards.  This mission is derived from the duly enacted statutes governing each regulated profession, as well as the law creating the Council, and supersedes the interest of any individual or special interest group.

Tx. State Board of Examiners of Marriage & Family Therapists (TSBMF) Council Membership

• The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Five of the board members must be licensed marriage and family therapists in good standing and four members represent the public. One professional member must also be a professional educator in marriage and family therapy.

Tx. State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors (TSBPC)

• To protect the people of Texas by ensuring professional counselors are qualified and competent practitioners. The board establishes qualifications for licensure, as well as the ethical standards to practice as a professional counselor in the state of Texas.

Tx. State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBP)

• To protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that the practice of psychology is provided by qualified and competent practitioners. The board accomplishes this goal by establishing the qualifications for licensure and renewal, as well as the ethical standards for the practice of psychology in Texas.

Tx. State Board of Examiners of Psychologists (TSBP) Council Membership

• The board consists of 9 members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. 
• 4 members must be psychologists, two must be psychological associates and 3 must be members who represent the public.
• One of the psychologist or psychological associate members must also be a licensed specialists in school psychology.

Tx. State Board of Social Worker Examiners (TSBSW)

Regulate the profession of social work in Texas. 

Makes and enforces the rules of how to become a social worker in Texas.

Helpful Contact Info for BHEC

Investigations/Complaints (24-hour)

Ph: 800.821.3205

BON Mission

To protect and promote the welfare of the people of Texas by ensuring that each person holding a license as a nurse in the State of Texas is competent to practice safely. The Board fulfills its mission through the regulation of the practice of nursing and the approval of nursing education programs. This mission, derived from the Nursing Practice Act, supersedes the interest of any individual, the nursing profession, or any special interest group.

BON Board Membership

• The Board of Nursing consists of 13 members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:

– Six Nurse Members including:

1. One advanced practice nurse
2. Two registered nurses who aren’t advanced practice nurses or members of a nurse faculty and
3. Three vocational nurses who are not members of a nurse faculty.

– Three members who are nurse faculty members of schools of nursing:

1. One who is a nurse faculty member of a school of nursing offering a baccalaureate degree program in preparing registered nurses.
2. One who is a nurse faculty member of a school of nursing offering an associate degree program in preparing registered nurses and
3. One who is a nurse faculty member of a school of nursing at an institution of higher education preparing vocational nurses.

– Four members who represent the public.

Helpful Contact Info for BON

• Customer Service for: Endorsement/Examinations; License Renewal or Continuing Nursing Education:

Ph: 512.305.7400

Fx: 512.305.7401

Email: [email protected]

• Toll-free Complaint Line:

Ph: 800.821.3205

Email: [email protected]

• Nursing Education Program Information:

Ph: 512.305.6816

Fx: 512.305.8101

• Newsletter Info:

Ph: 512.305.6842

Fx: 512.305.8101

Helpful Contact Info for BON, Cont’d

• Enforcement for: Violations of NPA & Rules/Regulations; Complaints & Disciplinary Actions and Monitoring of Disciplined Nurses:

Monitoring of Disciplined Licenses:

Ph: 512.305.6838

Fx: 512.305.6870

Email: [email protected]

Violation of NPA & Rules/Regulations; Complaints & Disciplinary Action Inquires:

Ph: 512.305.6838

Fx: 512.305.6870

• Open Records Request:

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 512.305.8101

ECPTOTE Mission

• An independent administrative governmental agency, is to protect the health, safety and welfare of the people of Texas through the regulation and enforcement of the practices of physical therapy and of occupational therapy. Supporting the regulation of PTs and OTs. Supporting the investigation of violations of the PT and OT practice acts.

ECPTOTE Composition

• Consists of a physical therapist and a public member from the Physical Therapy Board.
• An occupational therapist and a public member from the Occupational Therapy Board.
• A public member appointed by the Governor.
• The Governor’s appointee serves as the presiding officer of the council.
• The other members listed are appointed to serve on the council by their boards for a two-year term.

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

What is Physical Therapy?

A form of health care that prevents, identifies, corrects or alleviates acute or prolonged movement dysfunction or pain of anatomic or physiologic origin. Includes but is not limited to:

1. Measurement or testing of the function of the musculoskeletal, neurological, pulmonary or cardiovascular system
2. Rehabilitative treatment concerned with restoring function or preventing disability caused by illness, injury or birth defect
3. Treatment, consultative, educational or advisory services to reduce the incidence or severity of disability or pain to enable, train, or retrain a person to perform the independent skills and activities of daily living
4. Delegation of selective forms of treatment to support personnel while a physical therapist retains the responsibility for caring for the patient and directing and supervising the support personnel.

Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Composition

• Consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for staggered terms of six years.
• Six of the board members must be licensed physical therapists.
• Three board members must be public members who do not have an association with physical therapy.

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

What is Occupational Therapy?

The therapeutic use of everyday life activities (occupations) with individuals or groups for the purpose of participation in roles and situations in home, school and workplace. 

Addresses the physical, cognitive, psychosocial, sensory and other aspects of performance in a variety of contexts to support engagement in everyday life activities that affect health, well-being and quality of life.

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners Composition

• Consists of nine members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate for staggered terms of six years.
• Four of the board members must be occupational therapists and have practice occupational therapy for at least three years immediately preceding their appointment.
• Two members of the board must be occupational therapist assistants and have practiced occupational therapy for at least three years immediately preceding the appointment.
• Three members of the board must be public members who do not have an association with occupational therapy.

Helpful Contact Info for ECPTOTE

• Main Number: 512.305.6900
• File a Complaint

a) Investigation Referral Form online: https://ptot.texas.gov/investigation_referral/ 

• Report Violations by PT or PTA use the Investigation Referral Form:

https://ptot.texas.gov/investigation_referral/

TDLR:
Who We Are; Mission & Vision Statements

• Who We are:

Provides oversight for a broad range of occupations; businesses; facilities and equipment. We protect the health and safety of Texas and ensure they are served by qualified professionals.

• Mission:

To earn the trust of Texans every day by providing innovative regulatory solutions for our licenses and those they serve.

• Vision:

To be the best at creating “next” practices that deliver low-cost licensing and regulatory services and an exceptional customer experience. 

TDLR Composition:

• Texas Commission of Licensing & Regulation:

Is the governing board and policy-making body for the Texas Department of Licensing & Regulation. 

Made up of seven (7) volunteer members that are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate and serve for a total of 6-year teams.

• TDLR’s Advisory Boards:

Consists of licensees and include representatives from regulated businesses and industries, as well as public members and other professionals. 

Helpful Contact Info for TDLR

• To reach Customer Service

https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/csgeneralinquiry

Ph: 512.463.6599

Toll-Free (In Texas): 800.803.9202

Relay Texas – TDD: 800.735.2989

• To Request open records

Email: [email protected]

Fax: 512.475.3032

TMB Mission & Overview:

• Mission:

To protect and enhance the public’s health, safety and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of medicine and ensuring quality health care for the citizens of Texas through licensure, discipline and education.

• Overview:
• This state agency is charged with keeping Texas patients safe through the licensure and regulation of Texas physicians. The TMB staff also serves as staff for: 

1. Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners
2. Texas Physician Assistant Board
3. Texas Board of Medical Radiologic Technology and
4. Texas Board of Respiratory Care

TMB Board Committees

• Executive Committee

Their duties consist of: review Board meeting agendas; ensure records are maintained of all committee actions; delegate tasks to other committees; take action on urgent matters that may arise between Board meetings; review contract negotiations; review staff reports regarding finances & budget.

• Finance Committee

Their duties consist of: review staff reports regarding finances and the budget; presents budget needs to the Legislature and other state officials; recommends proper fees for the agency to charge and considers and makes recommendations to the Board regarding any aspect of Board finances.

TMB Board Committees, cont’d

• Disciplinary Process Review Committee

This committee gives direction to the Board’s enforcement program. It makes recommendations regarding resolution and disposition of specific cases and can approve, adopt, modify or reject recommendations from Board staff or Board representatives regarding actions to be taken on pending cases. It also gives final approval for dismissals of complaints.

• Licensure Committee

This committee receives and reviews applications for licensure, determines eligibility and reports its recommendations to the Board for consideration. Also, reviews Board rules regarding licensure and makes recommendations to the Board regarding changes or implementation of such rules.

Helpful Contact Info for TMB

• Customer Service:

Main Ph: 512.305.7010

Outside of Texas, Ph: 512.305.7030

Texas only, Ph: 800.248.4062

Email: [email protected]

• To File a Complaint:

Ph: 800.201.9353

• Request Open Records:

Fax: 512.305.7051

Email: [email protected]

Texas Real Estate Commission &
Texas Appraiser Licensing & Certification Board

• Agency Mission:

Protect consumers of real estate services in Texas by ensuring qualified and ethical service providers through upholding high standards in education, licensing and regulation. Oversee the providers of real estate brokerage, appraisal, inspection, timeshares and right-of-way services, thereby safeguarding the public interest while facilitating economic growth and opportunity across Texas. 

• Motto:

Protecting Texans’ Dreams

TREC Composition

• Composed of nine members appointed by the Governor for six-year terms.
• Six members must be licensed real estate brokers.
• Three members must be ambers of the general public who aren’t regulated by the Commission.

TREC Divisions

• Executive Division

This division coordinates regular meetings of policymakers appointed by the Governor; implements the decisions of the Commission and Board; coordinates with key stakeholders and other branches of government; directs day-to-day operations; and manages major initiatives of the agency in education, licensing and industry regulation programs.

• Customer Relations Division

This is the agency’s centralized customer service division. Team members receive and respond to general communications from Texas consumers, license holders and applicants.

• Education and Examinations Division

Receives, reviews and processes applications for qualifying and continuing education providers and courses to ensure statutory and agency standards are met. 

• Licensing Division

Ensures education and experience requirements are satisfied for the various license types. The team members verify qualifications have been met before the agency issues a new license/registration to real estate brokers or sales agents, appraisers, inspectors and easement or right-of-way registrants and process license renewals, information changes and license histories.

• TREC Enforcement

Administers TREC’s complaint investigation and disciplinary enforcement programs. Staff also reviews applications for licensure and fitness determinations to assess honest, integrity and trustworthiness of applicants.

• Financial Services

Performs all of the revenue accounting, budgeting, financial payment functions, purchasing and contract administration and asset and property management.

• Information Technology

Develops and maintains the technical infrastructure needed to meet the agency’s business requirements, including application development, network management, technical support, website services and records management.

Helpful Contact Info for TREC

• TREC:

Phone: 512.936.3000

Email: [email protected]

• File a Complaint

https://www.trec.texas.gov/sites/default/files/pdf-forms/ComplaintForm.4-27-23.pdf

• Public Information Requests

Email: [email protected]

Mail to:

Public Information Officer

P.O. Box 12188

Austin, Texas 78711-2188