Elimination of Architectural Barriers

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If you have any questions, please email techinfo@tdlr.texas.gov.

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Program News and Updates

Proposed Rule Changes

April 10, 2023

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation proposes amendments to existing rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 68, Subchapter A, §68.10; Subchapter B, §68.20 and 68.30; Subchapter D, §68.50; Subchapter F, §68.70, and §§68.75-68.76; Subchapter H, §68.90 and §68.93; new rules at 16 TAC, Chapter 68, Subchapter A, §§68.11-68.12; Subchapter B, §§68.21-68.22, and §68.31; Subchapter C, §§68.40-68.42; Subchapter D, §§68.51-68.53; Subchapter F, §§68.73-68.74, and §68.77; and the repeal of existing rules at 16 TAC, Chapter 68, §68.31, §§68.51-68.54, §§68.73-68.74, §68.79, §§68.100-68.101, regarding the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program; and the addition of subchapter titles to the existing chapter. The proposed rules implement changes suggested during the internal four-year rule review, incorporate department procedures for registered accessibility specialists, amend outdated rule language, and restructure the existing rules for better organization and for the reader. The proposed rules also include changes to continuing education requirements to provide additional options for licensees.

The proposed rules were published in the April 7, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 1797). The Department will accept comments on the proposal until May 8, 2023.

The Department encourages anyone interested in the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program to review the rule proposal online. Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website.

Commission Readopts Rules

March 27, 2023

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation readopted the rules at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC) Chapter 68, Elimination of Architectural Barriers, as a result of the required four-year rule review.

The readoption notice was published in the March 24, 2023, issue of the Texas Register (48 TexReg 1644) and is available online.

On The Level - January 2023 Edition

January 18, 2023

Articles in the January 2023 edition of TDLR On The Level include:

  • Legislative Update
  • Code Enforcement Officer Program Undergoing 4-Year Review
  • Honoring Faye Williams For Her Tireless Work To Advance Code Enforcement Officer Education In Texas
  • TDLR Evaluating Use Of Third Party Inspectors For Mold Program

TABS Updates and Enhancements

August 16, 2022

TDLR is pleased to announce the following updates and upgrades to the Texas Architectural Barriers online System (TABS):

  • General updates
  • Shared updates

Download detailed information about the updates (PDF)and how to use them.

Commission Adopts Rules

June 27, 2022

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to an existing rule at 16 Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapter 68, §68.65, regarding the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program. The adopted rule makes the necessary rule changes for the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program to align the program rules with the advisory board changes made by House Bill 1560, 87thLegislature, Regular Session (2021), the Sunset legislation for the Department.

The adoption justification was published in the June 24, 2022, issue of the Texas Register(47 TexReg 3668) and is available online. The updated rule chapter will be available on the Secretary of State website upon its effective date of July 1, 2022.

Proposed Changes to Texas Accessibility Standards

April 8, 2022

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation proposes amendments to the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (2012 TAS), adopted by reference at 16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 68, §68.100, regarding the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program.  The proposed amendments include updates to address advances in technology since the adoption of the 2012 TAS and incorporate requirements set forth in technical memoranda.

The proposed amendments were published in the April 8, issue of the Texas Register(47 TexReg 1933).  The Department will accept comments on the proposal until May 9, 2022.

The Department encourages anyone interested in the Elimination of Architectural Barriers Program to review the proposed amendments online.  Comments may be submitted electronically on the Department’s website at https://ga.tdlr.texas.gov:1443/form/gcerules.

TABS Updates and Enhancements

August 30, 2021

TDLR is pleased to announce the following updates and upgrades to the Texas Architectural Barriers online System (TABS):
User Dashboard updates
Project Dashboard updates

Download detailed information about the updates and how to use them.

TDLR celebrates Texas Elimination of Architectural Barriers Act & Americans with Disabilities Act anniversaries

July 26, 2021

Agency urges qualified individuals to become a licensed Registered Accessibility Specialist

AUSTIN – Although Texas is celebrating 51 years of the Texas Elimination of Architectural Barriers Act and 31 years of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act, the state lags in having enough Registered Accessibility Specialists (RAS) to review and inspect the approximately 2,000 construction projects registered per month statewide. Read the Press Release (PDF) »

Rule Change Related to Accessible Parking Signage and Markings Effective August 1

August 3, 2020

Beginning Aug. 1, 2020, a new rule relating to markings and signage required for Accessible Parking Spaces goes into effect. Rule 68.104 (Texas Administrative Code) implements House Bill 3163, passed by the 86thTexas Legislature in 2019. The Elimination of Architectural Barriers (EAB) Advisory Committee recommended adoption of the rule during its June 15, 2020 meeting, and it was adopted by the Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation at their June 30, 2020, meeting.

All projects registered with TDLR on or after August 1, 2020 must comply with the rule, as well as Texas Accessibility Standards requirements related to parking spaces. Any new or alteration construction projects that begin on or after August 1, 2020 (including those that do not meet the $50,000 threshold requiring registration with TDLR), must also satisfy the rule if they include accessible parking requirements.

Rule 68.104 is available on TDLR’s Elimination of Architectural Barriers webpage.

TDLR Adopts Administrative Rules

July 27, 2020

The Texas Commission of Licensing and Regulation adopted amendments to the Elimination of Architectural Barriers program rules (16 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 68, §68.100; new rule §68.104). The adopted rules update a reference from the “Commission” to the “Department.” The adopted rules also implement necessary changes required by House Bill 3163, 86th Legislature, Regular Session (2019), which set requirements for paved accessible parking spaces.

The adoption justification was published in the July 24, 2020, issue of the Texas Register(45 TexReg 5166). The updated rule chapter will be made available upon its effective date of August 1, 2020.

Owner or Owner Designee May Electronically Sign Proof of Inspection Form on the Day of the Inspection

April 24, 2020

To help combat the spread of COVID-19 and protect the health and safety of our Registered Accessibility Specialists (RASs), building owners and their representatives, the Department will allow the owner or owner designee that accompanied the RAS on the inspection to electronically sign the Proof of Inspection form on the day of the inspection rather than at the time and location of the inspection. To assist with this initiative, the Department has replaced the old Proof of Inspection form with a fully editable form on our website. All fields can be filled in by the RAS except for box 18, the signature of the owner or owners designee.

Start Your RAS Renewal 60 Days Prior to Expiration

February 12, 2020

You will not be able to access the TABS system after your license has expired. Begin your renewal early to avoid delays.

Please ensure your license renewal application includes all required paperwork and your required continuing education hours have been completed.

Texas Accessibility Academy

November 18, 2019

The Texas Accessibility Academy is a two-day comprehensive study of the Texas Architectural Barriers Act (TABA), program Administrative Rules and the 2012 Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS). The Academy also includes information about how TABA and TAS relate to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.

The class offers 16 hours of continuing education for registered accessibility specialists (RAS) and for design professionals who may self-report continuing education credits.

Visit the Texas Accessibility Academy pagefor additional details or contact the Architectural Barriers Program at techinfo@tdlr.texas.gov.

Texas Accessibility Academy Presentations Posted

November 18, 2019

A shortened version of the Power Point presentation (in PDF format) used in teaching the Academy is available on the Academy page. The two-day class is presented in seven sections and may be printed for use during the Academy. Copies of the PowerPoint presentation will notbe available at the Academy.

TABS Legacy Upload User Guide

June 20, 2019

Because legacy uploads are within a different section of TABS, we are providing an upload user guide (PDF)on how to use this new feature (available June 24, 2019).

If you have any questions, please email techinfo@tdlr.texas.gov.

Legacy File Conversion Notification

May 22, 2019

All EABPRJ projects (Legacy projects) are converting to the Texas Architectural Barriers online System (TABS), which will eliminate paper files. The Legacy projects will keep their existing EABPRJ project numbers after conversion and must follow TABS rules and the 2018 RAS Procedures.

Legacy uploads will open to RASs in TABS June 24, 2019- To complete shares, transfers, or closure requests with EABPRJ projects after June 3, 2019, project documents must be uploaded to TABS in the Legacy upload section, which will open to Registered Accessibility Specialists (RASs) for EABPRJ projects on June 24, 2019.

Begin saving files as PDFs for TABS now- TDLR strongly recommends RASs begin saving their paper files as PDFs using TABS rules to make the conversion easier. Instructions for uploading the files to TABS will be posted on the Architectural Barriers website prior to June 24, 2019.

Last day TDLR will accept EABPRJ legacy materials is June 3, 2019- EABPRJ files ready for closure and Project Status Update (PSU) forms may be sent to TDLR postmarked no later than June 3, 2019. After this date, Legacy file materials will be returned to the sender for upload/update.

RASs may continue Legacy reviews and inspections during conversion- TDLR apologizes in advance for any inconvenience the conversion process may cause. Between June 4 and June 23, 2019, RASs may continue to review and inspect EABPRJ projects, but must retain documents for upload/update in TABS on or after June 24, 2019, when the Legacy uploads begin. On June 24, 2019, the 2018 RAS Procedures timelines and TABS rules will take effect for all EABPRJ projects uploaded/updated in TABS.

Texas Needs You To Become A Registered Accessibility Specialist

May 15, 2019

Registered Accessibility Specialists are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation to inspect commercial construction projects statewide to ensure compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards. Learn more about becoming a Registered Accessibility Specialist (PDF)

TABS Training Videos

November 29, 2018

Training videos are now available to help familiarize you with the Texas Architectural Barriers online System (TABS):

While most of these videos primarily focus on the duties of Registered Accessibility Specialists (RASs), other TABS users can learn how to register a project or navigate within the system.

Please call 512-539-5669 or email techinfo@tdlr.texas.gov with any questions or concerns.

About the Architectural Barriers Program

The Architectural Barriers Programgoal is to ensure equal access for all Texans. We administer compliance with the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS), which are the Texas construction law counterpart to the Americans with Disabilities Act civil law. Our oversight includes providing technical assistance regarding the TAS, licensing and auditing Registered Accessibility Specialists (RAS), and providing enforcement referrals for projects that are out of compliance.

RAS are independent contractors we license to conduct plan reviews and inspections of buildings and facilities subject to TAS compliance. RAS must meet minimum required experience and coursework to earn the license and practice as a RAS. We provide educational materials, seminars, technical assistance, technical memoranda, and bulletins to help the RAS perform their duties. Further, we provide administrative support to the RAS using our Texas Architectural Barriers online System (TABS) to house project information, provide project status updates, and generate inspection notices. Our program specialists staff the TechInfo email hotlinefor RAS and the public to make compliance inquiries.

For more information, please contact TechInfo. If you are interested in a career as a RAS, please click here.

Advisory Committee Meetings

Upcoming Meeting - June 7, 2023

The next Architectural Barriers Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held via videoconference and will be viewable on TDLR's YouTube channel. Sharing of pre-recorded audio or video is not allowed during the public comment period. The agenda and staff reports are available online.

Previous Meeting - February 27, 2023

The Architectural Barriers Advisory Committee met February 27, 2023 via videoconference. The meeting was archived and is available on TDLR's YouTube page. The agenda and staff reports are available online.