By: Campbell S.B. No. 2696 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the regulation of the performance of cosmetic injections; requiring an occupational certificate; authorizing fees. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 9, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Chapter 1604 to read as follows: CHAPTER 1604. COSMETIC INJECTOR CERTIFICATE SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS Sec. 1604.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Cosmetic injection" means a nonsurgical cosmetic procedure, including: (A) the injection of a prescription drug or other substance for a cosmetic purpose; (B) a cosmetic treatment that pierces, scrapes, or otherwise damages the dermis; and (C) the use, for a cosmetic purpose, of a device as defined by Section 551.003. (2) "Department" means the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. (3) "Physician" has the meaning assigned by Section 151.002. Sec. 1604.002. APPLICABILITY. This chapter does not apply to a person who is: (1) a physician; (2) a dentist licensed under Subtitle D, Title 3; or (3) a licensed health care professional under the delegation authority of a licensed physician in this state. SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES Sec. 1604.051. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The department shall enforce this chapter. SUBCHAPTER C. COSMETIC INJECTOR CERTIFICATE Sec. 1604.101. CERTIFICATE REQUIRED. (a) A person may not perform or offer to perform a cosmetic injection unless the person holds a certificate issued under this chapter. (b) A physician may delegate the performance of a cosmetic injection only to a person who holds a certificate issued under this chapter. Sec. 1604.102. CERTIFICATE APPLICATION. (a) An applicant for a certificate under this chapter shall apply to the department on a form and in the manner prescribed by the department, accompanied by: (1) evidence that the applicant: (A) has completed training from a provider the department approves under Section 1604.151; and (B) has performed at least 50 cosmetic injection procedures under the direct supervision of: (i) a physician who delegates the performance of cosmetic injections in accordance with Chapter 157; or (ii) the holder of a certificate issued under this chapter; and (2) a certificate fee in the amount set by the department. (b) An applicant shall provide evidence of the cosmetic injection procedures required under Subsection (a)(1)(B) by submitting a record of procedures on a cosmetic injection log sheet that is: (1) certified by the supervising physician or certificate holder; and (2) submitted through the department's Internet website. Sec. 1604.103. CERTIFICATE TERM; RENEWAL. (a) A certificate issued under this chapter expires on the second anniversary of the date the certificate is issued. (b) The holder of a certificate issued under this chapter may renew the certificate by submitting to the department, before the expiration of the certificate, a renewal application on the form prescribed by the department, accompanied by: (1) evidence that the certificate holder has completed at least eight hours of continuing education from a provider the department approves under Section 1604.152; and (2) a renewal fee in the amount set by the department. Sec. 1604.104. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK. The department shall conduct a criminal history record information check on each applicant who submits an application for a certificate under this chapter. The department may, as permitted by law: (1) examine any criminal conviction, guilty plea, or deferred adjudication of the applicant; and (2) obtain criminal history record information for the applicant. Sec. 1604.105. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE WITHOUT TRAINING. (a) Notwithstanding Section 1604.102, the department shall issue a certificate under this chapter to an applicant who, not later than September 1, 2026, submits documentation acceptable to the department demonstrating that the applicant has at least two years of continuous experience performing cosmetic injections under the delegation of a licensed physician in this state before September 1, 2025. (b) The department shall post on the department's Internet website the documentation required for a certificate under this section. (c) This section expires June 1, 2027. SUBCHAPTER D. TRAINING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION Sec. 1604.151. COSMETIC INJECTION TRAINING. (a) The department shall approve one or more providers of a course consisting of 40 hours of foundational training in the performance of cosmetic injections that satisfies the requirement of Section 1604.102. (b) The course described by Subsection (a) must include instruction in: (1) human facial anatomy and physiology; (2) safety protocols and aseptic technique; (3) injection technique and pharmacology; (4) emergency protocols and adverse event management; and (5) legal and regulatory compliance. (c) Each course must include a hands-on practical component evaluated by an instructor approved by the department. Sec. 1604.152. CONTINUING EDUCATION. The department shall approve one or more providers of continuing education in the performance of cosmetic injections that satisfies the requirement of Section 1604.103. SUBCHAPTER E. PRACTICE BY CERTIFICATE HOLDER Sec. 1604.201. AUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES. A certificate issued under this chapter: (1) authorizes the certificate holder to perform only cosmetic procedures; and (2) does not authorize the certificate holder to diagnose, treat, or offer to treat any client for any illness, disease, or injury of the human body. SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 1, 2025, the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation shall adopt the rules, forms, and fees necessary to administer Chapter 1604, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. (b) Not later than March 1, 2026, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation shall approve the training required under Section 1604.151, Occupations Code, as added by this Act. SECTION 3. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of this section, this Act takes effect September 1, 2025. (b) Section 1604.101, Occupations Code, as added by this Act, takes effect September 1, 2026.