Human Trafficking Prevention Training for Health Care Practitioners
Training Required
Beginning September 1, 2020, certain health care practitioners who provide direct patient care must complete an approved human trafficking prevention training course in order to renew their license. In order to satisfy the training requirement, the course must be approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Health care practitioners are in a unique position to intervene in human trafficking, one of the most insidious and seemingly invisible public health challenges. This includes both labor and sex trafficking, and may involve people of any age, gender, race/ethnicity, nationality, immigration status, or sexual orientation. Victims and survivors of human trafficking may be seen at local clinics, emergency departments, or other medical settings and the health care team’s actions at that moment can make a life-saving difference. This training is meant to provide you with a variety of resources to inform and support planning for that critical response.
TDLR thanks our licensees for being part of our team in the fight against human trafficking in Texas.
Read more about TDLR's anti-trafficking efforts.
Who Must Complete the Training?
The following TDLR license types must complete training requirement to renew their licenses:
- Athletic Trainer
- Audiologist
- Assistant in Audiology
- Intern in Audiology
- Behavior Analyst
- Behavior Analyst Assistant
- Dietitian
- Dyslexia Therapist
- Dyslexia Practitioner
- Hearing Instrument Fitter & Dispenser
- Massage Therapist
- Midwife
- Retired Midwife
- Orthotist
- Orthotist Assistant
- Podiatric Physician
- Podiatric Temporary Residency
- Podiatric Medical Radiological Technician
- Prosthetist
- Prosthetist Assistant
- Prosthetist Orthotist
- Prosthetist Orthotist Assistant
- Speech-Language Pathologist
- Intern in Speech-Language Pathology
- Assistant in Speech-Language Pathology
When Does the Training Have to be Completed?
The training requirement goes into effect on September 1, 2020 and is required for every renewal on or after that date. The training course is not required for license renewals submitted before September 1, 2020.
Licensees must continue to complete an approved training course during each subsequent renewal cycle.
How Do I Take the Training?
Training courses must be approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). You can find more information on HHSC’s Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training webpage.
Register Now for Training
You can take any of the courses listed and receive a non-continuing education certificate of completion. You do not need to submit a copy of your course completion certificate with your license renewal. However, you should keep a copy of the certificate for your records. The department may request proof of the training at any time.
Why is this Happening?
This training requirement is a result of House Bill 2059 (86R), which passed during the 2019 legislative session. This bill updates Texas Occupations Code, Ch. 116, which affects all health care professions who provide direct client care listed under Texas Occupations Code Title 3.
Help and Support
For assistance and questions regarding the training registration process, payments for training, printing of certificates, or other training-related issues, please visit HHSC’s Health Care Practitioner Human Trafficking Training webpage for more information or contact HHSC by email.
For assistance and questions regarding your license renewal or acceptable training, please see our Frequently Asked Questions.
For further assistance, please contact TDLR customer service by email, or call us at (512) 463-6599.
