TDLR adopts Chapter 60 rule changes to increase interstate license reciprocity under House Bill 11

TDLR staff presented and the commission adopted proposed Chapter 60 rule amendments intended to implement House Bill 11 (2025), which directs the agency to maximize reciprocity with other states. The amendments establish procedures for determining whether out‑of‑state licensing requirements are "substantially equivalent," outline factors to consider and add reporting obligations to the governor and Legislative Budget Board in odd-numbered years.

Staff told commissioners the rule changes were published Oct. 10 with a comment period that closed Nov. 10; five parties provided input supporting reciprocity but raising concerns about defining "substantially equivalent" and the role of program advisory boards. Staff said those concerns were addressed by clarifying the guidance is a tool and that advisory boards and department expertise will inform decisions. Only minor punctuation edits were made to proposed rules, and staff recommended adoption with an effective date of Jan. 15, 2026. Commissioners moved to adopt the rules and the motion carried.

Staff said the rules incorporate safeguards to ensure reciprocity efforts would not lower TDLR standards and noted reporting obligations required by the statute for tracking agreements, failures to reach agreements, and laws that impede reciprocity. The commission did not adopt additional substantive changes beyond those presented for public comment; staff are available to answer technical questions as jurisdictions evaluate reciprocity requests.