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SB968

Regular Session

Relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry.

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB968
Moderate
Relating to the licensing and regulation of the practice of podiatry.
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
TCLRTDLR
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025.
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (All new applicants must utilize the "Residency License" pathway; legacy forms will be rejected).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) must update 16 TAC Chapter 130 prior to September 1 to define the criteria and validity period of the new license. Monitor the *Texas Register* between May and August 2025 for these rules.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Audit Insurance: Contact your liability carrier today to secure an endorsement extending coverage to "Residency License" holders.
  • Revise Templates: Update employment contracts to make obtaining a "Residency License" a condition of employment for new hires.
  • Monitor Rules: Subscribe to TDLR updates to catch the release of the new application forms and the definition of the license "validity period."
  • Train Staff: Instruct credentialing teams that "Provisional Licenses" are repealed and cannot be processed for start dates after September 1.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Review all Resident Employment Agreements and Offer Letters for the 2025-2026 cohort. You must replace references to "Temporary License" (Sec. 202.259) and "Provisional License" (Sec. 202.260) with "Residency License." Additionally, contact your malpractice carrier to ensure your policy definition of "Insured" explicitly covers the new "Residency License" classification.

Hiring/Training

Update onboarding checklists immediately. Credentialing staff must be trained to reject legacy "Temporary License" applications for any start dates occurring on or after September 1, 2025. Staff must verify that new hires possess the correct "Residency License" to ensure valid billing and liability coverage.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Segregate your provider rosters into "Legacy Temporary" (issued pre-9/1/25) and "New Residency" categories. The law contains a grandfather clause allowing existing Temporary Licenses to remain valid until expiration, meaning you will manage a mixed fleet of credentials for the next 12-36 months.

Fees & Costs

No statutory fee increases are mandated by this bill. However, anticipate administrative costs associated with updating legal templates and securing insurance riders.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute grants TCLR broad discretion to establish the "maximum period" a Residency License remains valid. If TCLR sets a duration shorter than standard residency program lengths (e.g., 3 years) via rulemaking, it could create mid-program licensure gaps. You must monitor the proposed rules to ensure the validity period aligns with your residency program duration.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Jan 29, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 24, 2025
Passed House
May 28, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsOccupational RegulationOccupational Regulation--health OccupationsPodiatrists & PodiatryLicensing & Regulation, Texas Commission of
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Judith ZaffiriniDemocrat · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. Charles CunninghamRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB968

Q

What does Texas SB968 do?

SB968 consolidates podiatric training credentials by eliminating "Temporary" and "Provisional" licenses, replacing them with a single "Residency License" effective September 1, 2025. Hospitals, podiatric practices, and residency programs must immediately update credentialing protocols, insurance endorsements, and employment contracts to align with this new statutory nomenclature to avoid staffing delays for the incoming cohort. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025.

Q

Who authored SB968?

SB968 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB968 signed into law?

SB968 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB968?

SB968 is enforced by Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation (TCLR) and Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB968?

The compliance urgency for SB968 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB968?

The cost impact of SB968 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB968 address?

SB968 addresses topics including occupational regulation, occupational regulation--health occupations, podiatrists & podiatry and licensing & regulation, texas commission of.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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