Texas HB879 establishes criteria for licensing military veterans as health care providers.

HB879 amends the Texas Occupations Code to create a special licensing pathway for military veterans to practice medicine or nursing in Texas. To qualify, a veteran must be a licensed physician or nurse in good standing in another state, have retired from the U.S. armed forces within the past year, and have passed the Texas medical jurisprudence examination. The bill prohibits issuing licenses to those discharged for misconduct or with certain criminal or disciplinary histories. The provisions take effect September 1, 2025.

Texas HB879 establishes criteria for licensing military veterans as health care providers.

HB879 amends the Texas Occupations Code to create a special licensing pathway for military veterans to practice medicine or nursing in Texas. To qualify, a veteran must be a licensed physician or nurse in good standing in another state, have retired from the U.S. armed forces within the past year, and have passed the Texas medical jurisprudence examination. The bill prohibits issuing licenses to those discharged for misconduct or with certain criminal or disciplinary histories. The provisions take effect September 1, 2025.