Examining Boards

There were almost forty separate examining boards in the Texas state government on January 1, 1994. In general these boards examine applicants and issue licenses for the practice of a particular profession or trade. The boards have the power to investigate and possibly revoke licenses. With a few exceptions, they are appointed by the governor. Members must have professional licenses and meet the requirement of at least five years' experience, though requirements do vary. Some other government agencies also administer licensing such as the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, 1909; Texas Education Agency, 1949; Texas Department of Aviation, 1989; State Board of Insurance, 1957; State Bar of Texas, 1936; and Texas Department of Health, 1879.

The examining boards, with their dates of establishment, are as follows:

Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, 1993

Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, 1991

Texas Board of Architectural Examiners, 1937

State Board of Barber Examiners, 1929

Texas State Board of Chiropractic Examiners, 1949; an earlier board established in 1943 was declared unconstitutional in 1944

Texas Cosmetology Commission, 1971; replaced State Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists, 1935

Texas Court Reporters Certification Board, 1977

Texas State Board of Dental Examiners, 1919 (six-member), 1971 (nine-member), 1981 (twelve-member)

Texas State Board of Examiners of Dietitians, 1983

Texas Board of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Aids, 1969

Texas Funeral Service Commission, 1987; replaced State Board of Morticians

Texas Board of Irrigators, 1979

State Board of Law Examiners, 1919

Texas State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists, 1991

Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, 1907

State Board of Nurse Examiners, 1909

Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators, 1969

Texas Optometry Board, 1969; replaced Board of Examiners in Optometry, 1922

Texas State Board of Perfusion Examiners, 1994

Texas State Board of Pharmacy, 1907

Texas State Board of Physical and Occupational Therapy Examiners, 1993; included functions of Texas State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners

Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners, 1947

Texas State Board of Podiatry Examiners, 1923; formerly known as the State Board of Chiropody Examiners

State of Texas Board of Polygraph Examiners, 1965

Board of Private Investigators and Private Security Agencies, 1969

Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors, 1981

State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, 1937

Texas Board of Professional Land Surveying, 1979; replaced Board of Examiners of Land Surveyors, 1919, and State Board of Registration for Public Surveyors, 1955

Texas Board of Licensure for Professional Medical Physicists, 1991

Texas Board of Examiners of Psychologists, 1969

Texas State Board of Public Accountancy, 1945

Texas Real Estate Commission, 1949

Texas State Board of Examiners of Social Workers, 1993

State Committee of Examiners for Speech Pathology and Audiology, 1983

Texas Structural Pest Control Board, 1971

Board of Tax Professional Examiners, 1977

State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners, 1911

State Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 1951