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This bill paves the way for Texas’ licensed professionals to have mobile credentials, and the bill passed by a 145-0 vote in the House of Representatives and 26-5 in the Senate.
The new law for digital licenses may bring vendor opportunities as there are a number of agencies that could be impacted.
Aspects of the licenses include:
- A license must be issued to the holder/individual
- Digital licenses must be secure
- They must be readily accessible via the Internet or a communications device
- They should be available on an Internet site or via QR code
- They must be viewable by the public
- Their validity must be provable
According to the bill’s documentation, there is “no significant financial impact” to potential issuing agencies; however, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation alone manages about three dozen types of professional licenses.
Issuing agencies might include:
- Department of Licensing and Regulation
- Department of Insurance
- Board of Public Accountancy
- Board of Architectural Examiners
- Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors
- Texas Board of Nursing
- Executive Council of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy Examiners
- Department of Motor Vehicles
Currently, massage therapists can apply for licenses via the Texas by Texas application, but this has been for application processes rather than receiving a digital credential.
