TDLR Health Monitor The Medical and Health Professions Newsletter

The TDLR Health Monitor is an e-mailed publication in which we share information about the services we provide for our medical and health programs.

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TDLR Health Monitor – February 2026 Edition

February 23, 2026

Articles in the February 2026 Edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Recipes for heart healthy romantic meals
• Updated rules for the Speech Pathology and Audiology programs
• The first graduates of the first podiatry school in Texas

TDLR Health Monitor – October 2025 Edition

October 23, 2025

Articles in the October 2025 Edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• New Laser Hair Removal Rules
• Texas DSHS Proposed Rules Relating to Vision, Hearing and Spinal Screenings Now Open For Comment
• Proposed Rule Changes Will Affect Texas SLP Assistants and Supervisors
• Expert Witnesses Needed In Several Programs

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2025 Edition

June 26, 2025

Articles in the June 2025 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• 89th Legislative Session Recap
• Rule Amendments For Multiple Professions Proposed And Adopted Recently
• HHSC Revises Human Trafficking Prevention Training Standards
• TDLR Begins Process To Acquire New Licensing Database System
• Changes to Temporary License Eligibility For Athletic Trainers
• Podiatry Radiation Tech Registration Update
• Hearing Instrument Fitters And Dispensers New Continuing Education Requirements

TDLR Health Monitor – February 2025 Edition

February 21, 2025

Articles in the February 2025 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

89th Texas Legislature Convenes In January

• Changes to Continuing Education For License Renewal
• Rule Amendments Adopted For Podiatry, Athletic Trainers and Hearing Instrument Fitters programs
• Four-Year Rule Reviews for Multiple Programs
• Podiatry Program Increases Registration Terms

TDLR Health Monitor – October 2024 Edition

October 31, 2024

Articles in the October 2024 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• 89th Texas Legislature Convenes In January
• FDA Authorizes First Over-The-Counter Hearing Aid Software
• Multiple Rule Amendments Adopted
• Health Professions Word Scramble

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2024 Edition

June 17, 2024

Articles in the June 2024 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Hearing Aid Fitters and Dispensers Can Earn CE by Proctoring the Practical Test
• TDLR Releases Strategic Plan
• Proposed Rule Changes
• Subject Matter Experts Needed

TDLR Health Monitor – March 2024 Edition

March 27, 2024

Articles in the March 2024 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Proposed Rules
• TDLR Strategic Planning Process
• Closer Look at Athletic Trainer Examinations
• TDLR Makes University Visits

TDLR Health Monitor – December 2023 Edition

December 15, 2023

Articles in the December 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Brian Francis Returns Temporarily To TDLR
• Rule Changes For Multiple Programs Approved
• Many Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Licensees Will Need To Resubmit Fingerprints
• Human Trafficking Awareness Month

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2023 Edition

June 23, 2023

Articles in the June 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• New Fingerprints May Be Required For Some Licensees
• New Opioid CME Requirements For Prescribers
• Laser Hair Removal Penalty Matrix Adopted
• Texas Massage Therapist Exam Now Available In Simplified Chinese

TDLR Health Monitor – February 2023 Edition

February 24, 2023

Articles in the February 2023 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Legislative Update
• Annual Health Professions Report Published
• Texas Massage Therapist Examination Now Available
• Meet TDLR Staff At Upcoming Conferences

TDLR Health Monitor – October 2022 Edition

October 20, 2022

Articles in the October 2022 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Raising Awareness in October For Audiology, Dyslexia and Massage Therapy
• Proposed Rule Amendments For Orthotists and Prosthetists
• Podiatry Applications Now Available Online
• Test Proctors Needed For HFD Exams

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2022 Edition

June 24, 2022

Articles in the June 2022 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:

• Recent Rule Amendments
• Updated Massage Therapy Consultation Document
• Speech-Language Pathology Clinical Deficiency Plan
• Hear Her Texas

TDLR Health Monitor – March 2022 Edition

March 4, 2022

Articles in the March 2022 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:

• Hello From The Executive Director
• Commissioner Spotlight: Helen Callier
• TDLR Rule Adoptions in Multiple Programs
• TDLR Publishes Health Occupations Report
• New HHSC Human Trafficking Prevention Training Course

TDLR Health Monitor – December 2021 Edition

December 15, 2021

Articles in this December 2021 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:

• Farewell From The Executive Director
• Program Rule Updates
• New Anti-Trafficking Signs Required For Massage Establishments And Schools
• TDLR Enforcement Prosecutors Need Your Help As A Subject Matter Expert
• Massage Therapy Temporary Distance Education Provisions Expire Dec. 15, 2021
• Meet TDLR Staff At Upcoming Conferences

TDLR Health Monitor – August 2021 Edition

August 26, 2021

Articles in this August 2021 edition of The Health Monitor includes updates on:

• 2021 Legislative Session
• Commissioner Spotlight
• Athletic Trainers Mark 50 Years
• Revised Massage Therapy Sample Consultation Document Available
• How to File a Complaint

TDLR Health Monitor – May 2021 Edition

May 13, 2021

Articles in this May 2021 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• 2021 Legislative Session
• Emergency License Extensions in Response to COVID-19 Delays
• Meet Commissioner Callas
• New Open Records Portal
• New Way to Pay for Online Applications
• Fingerprint Reminder for Massage Therapy Licensees

TDLR Health Monitor – February 2021 Edition

February 24, 2021

Articles in this February 2021 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• 87^th Session of the Texas Legislature
• Emergency License Extensions in Response to COVID-19 Delays
• Program Rule Changes
• Call for Subject Matter Experts
• New HHSC-Approved Human Trafficking Training Courses Available

TDLR Health Monitor – October 2020 Edition

October 13, 2020

Articles in this October 2020 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• New Training Requirements for Human Trafficking Prevention
• 87th Texas Legislature Convenes in January
• Virtual Midwives Educational Summit
• Rule Amendments for Hearing Instrument Fitters & Dispensers
• Changes to Continuing Medical Education Activity for Podiatrists

TDLR Health Monitor – July 2020 Edition

July 30, 2020

Articles in this July 2020 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Human Trafficking Prevention Training Required for Renewals Starting September 1
• COVID-19: Report from Remote State Operations Center
• Massage Therapy Student Permit and Tracking Coming Soon
• Virtual Midwives Educational Summit
• TDLR: Safeguarding Consumers
• TDLR Resumes Safety Inspections and Enforcement Investigations
• Prescription Monitoring Program Deadline Reminder - Sign Up Now!

TDLR Health Monitor – April 2020 Edition

April 21, 2020

Articles in this April 2020 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• TDLR’s response to COVID-19
• TDLR represented at State Operations Center
• Scam targeting DEA registrants and health professionals
• New human trafficking prevention training required for certain health care practitioners
• Massage Therapy rule amendments adopted
• Penalty matrices adopted for Behavior Analysts and Dyslexia Therapy programs
• Surprise medical billing updates
• Verify your license online

TDLR Health Monitor – January 2020 Edition

January 9, 2020

Articles in this January 2020 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Update from the Executive Director on the Sunset Process
• TDLR Guidance on Senate Bill 1264
• Final Report on Senate Bill 202 Implementation
• Changes in Proctor Requirements for Hearing Instrument Fitters & Dispensers
• New Rules to Assist Licensing for Military Spouses
• TDLR to Host Midwives Educational Summit in January 2020
• Fingerprinting Requirements for Massage Therapists
• Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology Presentation for Graduating Students
• Recent Personnel Changes

TDLR Health Monitor – September 2019 Edition

September 26, 2019

Articles in this September 2019 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• Dyslexia Awareness Month
• Podiatry Rule Amendments Adopted
• New Criminal Conviction Guidelines & Penalty Matrix
• Deregulation of Orthotic and Prosthetic Technicians
• Prescription Monitoring Program Requirements
• Fingerprinting Requirements for Podiatrists
• Midwives Educational Summit Recap
• Orthotic and Prosthetic Professional Organizations Merge

TDLR Health Monitor – June 2019 Edition

June 21, 2019

Articles in this June 2019 edition of The TDLR Health Monitor include information on:

• Results of the 2019 Texas legislative session (86R)
• Life-saving efforts by a Texas Athletic Trainer
• Upcoming Midwives Educational Summit
• Updates to surety bond for Hearing Instrument Fitters & Dispensers
• Recent communication outreach efforts
• Schedule of upcoming conferences

TDLR Health Monitor – March 2019 Edition

March 11, 2019

Articles in this March 2019 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• The 2019 Texas legislative session (86R)
• New criminal conviction guidelines for the behavior analyst program
• Upcoming improvements to exams for several occupations
• Midwives educational summit
• Health occupations annual report
• Upcoming conferences

TDLR Health Monitor – December 2018 Edition

December 14, 2018

Articles in this December 2018 edition of The Health Monitor include updates on:

• The upcoming Texas legislative session
• Administrative rules for orthotists and prosthetists program and podiatry program
• Prescription pads and prescription monitoring requirements for podiatrists
• Upcoming conferences and meetings
• Federal guidelines on over-the-counter hearing aids
• Guidelines for applicants with criminal convictions

TDLR Health Monitor – August 2018 Edition

Articles in this August 2018 edition of The Health Monitor include an update on

• The license requirement for behavior analysts
• Audiologists ability to use the online supervision reporting system
• Strategic planning for 2019-2023
• Rule amendments to the mold assessors and remediators program
• Rule amendments to the orthotists and prosthetists program
• Updated criminal conviction guidelines; information for dietitians on telehealth practices
• Call for subject matter experts to join examination committees for podiatry and sanitarians
• Upcoming outreach activities

TDLR Health Monitor – May 2018 Edition

Articles in the third edition of The Health Monitor includes:

• Updates on the Behavior Analysts program
• Upcoming changes to the Massage Therapy Exam
• Rulemaking update for several medical and health programs
• TDLR website improvements
• Information on outreach activities and upcoming conferences

The issue also includes our regular features "A Closer Look" and "Advisory Board Meeting Calendar."

TDLR Health Monitor – February 2018 Edition

Articles in the second edition of TDLR Health Monitor include:

• What’s New in Podiatry
• Online Mold Notifications
• Recent Revisions to Midwife Publications
• Online Supervision for Speech-Language Pathologists
• Verify Your License Online
• Coming Soon: Behavior Analysts
• TDLR’s Enforcement Process
• How to File a Complaint
• Finding Disciplinary Actions
• TDLR on YouTube

The issue also includes our regular features: FAQ Spotlight and Upcoming Advisory Board Meetings. This issue was published on February 16, 2018 and you can read it online.

TDLR Health Monitor – November 2017 Edition

The inaugural edition of TDLR Health Monitor covers:

• The transfer to TDLR of 13 medical and health programs from the Department of State Health Services
• The transfer of the Podiatry program from the Texas State Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners
• Hurricane Harvey Recovery efforts
• New advisory board/committee appointments

The issue also includes our regular features: FAQ Spotlight and Upcoming Advisory Board Meetings. The first issue was published on November 2, 2017 and you can read it online.