S.B. No. 918         AN ACT   relating to the licensing and regulation of orthotists and   prosthetists.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 605.254, Occupations Code, is amended to   read as follows:          Sec. 605.254.  EXEMPTIONS FROM OR SUBSTITUTES FOR LICENSE   REQUIREMENTS. (a) The commission by rule may exempt a [A] person   [is entitled to an exemption] from one or more of the academic,   clinical training, or examination [the license] requirements   established under Section 605.252.          (b)  To be eligible for an exemption under Subsection (a),   [if] the person must present [presents] evidence satisfactory to   the department that the person possesses unique qualifications to   practice orthotics, prosthetics, or orthotics and prosthetics.          (c)  The department shall issue a license under Section   605.256(b) to a person who:                (1)  is determined to be eligible for an exemption [a   license] under this section from a requirement established under   Section 605.252; and                (2)  meets all requirements provided under this   chapter, other than any requirement for which an exemption is   granted under Subdivision (1) [Subsection (a)].          (d)  A person holding a license for which an exemption was   granted under this section [to whom a license is issued under this   subsection] is entitled to the same license privileges as if the   person met all [the educational and vocational] requirements of   Section 605.252. The license holder is subject to the license   renewal requirements established by the commission, other than the   [academic, clinical training, and examination] requirements   exempted under this section, which the commission may not impose as   a condition of the person's license renewal.          SECTION 2.  Section 605.254, Occupations Code, as amended by   this Act, applies only to a license application submitted on or   after the effective date of this Act.  An application for a license   submitted before the effective date of this Act is governed by the   law in effect on the date the application was submitted, and the   former law is continued in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.               ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                 I hereby certify that S.B. No. 918 passed the Senate on   March 24, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.       ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate                I hereby certify that S.B. No. 918 passed the House on   May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 99, Nays 42, two   present not voting.       ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House            Approved:     ______________________________                Date       ______________________________              Governor