HB 1508 Licensing Requirements

Notice to Students Pursuing a Dallas College Program That Prepares Them for an Occupational License:

Under Texas law, if you apply for or enroll in a Dallas College program that may prepare you for an initial occupational license, and/or if you later decide to change to one of these programs, please be aware that:

An individual who has been convicted of a crime may be ineligible for an occupational license after completing the related educational program;
Each licensing authority that issues occupational licenses to students who complete educational programs must establish guidelines, including the reasons a particular crime is considered to relate to a particular license and any other standards that affect the decisions of the licensing authority;
A licensing authority may issue additional state or local restrictions or guidelines to determine the eligibility of an individual who has been convicted of a crime for an occupational license;
A person who is enrolled or planning to enroll in a Dallas College program that may prepare him or her for an initial occupational license has the right to request that a licensing authority issue a Criminal History Evaluation Letter regarding the person’s eligibility for a license. Please note that fees may apply.

Note: This notice applies only to students who plan to pursue a course of study for which an occupational license may be necessary when they finish a program. It should not be considered applicable generally to students who are not pursuing study in a program for which an occupational license is required.

This information is being provided to all students enrolled in or planning to enroll in a Dallas College program that prepares them for an occupational license regardless of whether the person has been convicted of a criminal offense. We encourage all applicants and enrolled students to review the eligibility requirements for their program and the related occupational license.

Note: The criminal history evaluation letter is separate and distinct from any criminal background check requirement that may be required for enrollment in a particular Dallas College course.

The information provided here is not exhaustive. Questions about a particular licensing authority’s guideline, eligibility requirements or requests for a Criminal History Evaluation Letter should be directed to the applicable licensing authority.