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