Texas

Texas credentials one type of addiction counselor. A Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor requires, at minimum, an associate degree or higher and 4,000 hours of supervised experience. An individual may be exempt from some supervised hours if they hold a qualifying graduate degree. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §504.001 and Texas Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Program

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) prevent, assess, evaluate and treat mental, emotional or behavioral disorders and associated distresses that interfere with mental health. Counselors conduct assessments and evaluations to establish treatment goals and objectives and plan, implement, and evaluate treatment plans. Diagnostic ability not outlined in statute. Texas Occupations Code §503.003

As of August 2018, 137 NPs in Texas have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. Consistent with their prescriptive authority and with proper training or appropriate experience NPs can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Tex. Admin. Code §22-11-222.5

As of August 2018, 27 PAs in Texas have received a federal waiver to treat opioid dependency with buprenorphine-containing products. A Texas PA may prescribe controlled substances as delegated by a supervising physician. Texas PAs with proper training or appropriate experience can receive a federal waiver to dispense buprenorphine-containing products, as long as the supervising physician is certified, trained, or permitted to treat and manage patients with opioid use disorder. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §204.202(9)

Certification requirements for peer support specialists were recently proposed by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. The proposed certification standards include minimum qualifications, training, continuing education, and employment supervision requirements.

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Written agreement is required between the NM and the supervising physician. The protocols should be jointly developed and reviewed annually. Tex. Admin. Code §22-11-221.13

An advanced practice registered nurse recognized by the board as a nurse midwife may provide one or more unit doses of a controlled substance during intra-partum or immediate post-partum care subject if delegated by a physician, must meet certain documentation and monitoring requirements. Tex. Admin. Code §22-11-221.14

Physician relationship required for practice and prescriptive authority.

Written agreement is required between the NP and the supervising physician. The protocols should be jointly developed and reviewed annually. Tex. Admin. Code §22-11-221.13

The agreement must outline which drugs and devices may be prescribed among other items. Tex. Admin. Code §22-11-222.5

Only physicians are authorized to sign medical orders for scope of treatment forms. Tex. Health and Safety Code Ann. §166

NPs are recognized in state policy as primary care providers. A managed care organization or other entity must ensure that advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants are available as primary care providers in a provider network. Tex. Health & Safety Code §62.1551

Optometrists may only perform procedures related to foreign body removal and the examination, evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of the human eye. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §351.002

Optometrists may inject medication for patients having an anaphylactic reaction. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §351.358

Optometrists may prescribe Schedule III-V controlled substances. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §351.358

A dental hygienist may provide services for up to six months without dentist seeing the patient. Services may be performed in school-based health centers, nursing facility, or community health centers. The dental hygienist must have at least two years of experience. Tex. Occup. Code §262.1515

Statute does not identify dental therapists as an oral health provider.

Teledentistry means a health care service delivered by a dentist, or a health professional acting under the delegation and supervision of a dentist, acting within the scope of the dentist’s or health professional’s license or certification to a patient at a different physical location than the dentist or health professional using telecommunications or information technology. Tex. Occup. Code §111.001

Texas has not enacted legislation allowing pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. However, the federal PREP Act does allow pharmacists to administer the COVID-19 vaccine through the duration of the public health emergency.

Texas does not allow pharmacists to modify prescriptions.

Texas does not allow pharmacists to prescribe hormonal contraceptives.

Texas does not allow pharmacists to prescribe tobacco cessation aids.

Supervision by a physician is required. There must be continuous supervision, but it does not require the constant physical presence of the physician. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §204.204

A PA may prescribe drugs and devices if delegated to by the supervising physician. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §204.202(9)

Medical services are delegated by the supervising physician and must be within the education, training and experience of the PA. Tex. Occupations Code Ann. §204.202