Relating to the licensing of certain military veterans as health care providers.

Contracts

• Contingency Clauses: Update employment agreements and offer letters for military candidates. Include a clause stating: "Offer contingent upon successful licensure under HB879. Failure to apply within the statutory one-year post-separation window may result in revocation of this offer."
• Start Dates: You may aggressively forecast start dates for these candidates, but they remain contingent on passing the Texas Jurisprudence Examination.

Hiring/Training

• Recruitment Triage: Update Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to flag candidates who separated from the military within the last 12 months.
• Credentialing Training: Staff must be trained to identify "Honorable Discharge" on DD-214 forms (Member 4 Copy). General or Other-Than-Honorable discharges legally disqualify the applicant from this specific pathway.
• Jurisprudence Exam: The clinical exam is waived, but the Texas Jurisprudence Exam is mandatory. Schedule this immediately upon extending a conditional offer.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• Verification of Status: Credentialing files must contain proof that the applicant was authorized to practice medicine/nursing *at the time of separation*.
• Background Checks: Pre-screen aggressively for criminal history. The statute strictly bars licensure for any felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude. Do not rely on the Board to adjudicate this; a "hit" will likely cause a rejection of the expedited application.

Fees & Costs

• No New Fees: Standard licensure fees apply.
• Cost Savings: Reduces administrative overhead associated with long-term locum tenens or vacancy costs due to faster onboarding.