The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council verifies lawful presence in the United States and, where applicable, federal authorization to work as part of the licensure and renewal process. This verification is part of the Council’s licensure and renewal process to confirm a person’s eligibility to hold a license in Texas.
Under federal law, occupational licenses are considered public benefits and may be issued or renewed only for individuals who are lawfully present and authorized to work in the United States. Applicants who are U.S. citizens must submit documentation verifying citizenship, while non-citizens must have their immigration status and work authorization verified through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s SAVE Program. Non-citizens seeking license renewal are subject to the same verification requirements as initial applicants. Additional detail regarding these requirements is set out in the Council’s Policy on Verification of Lawful Presence and Authority to Work for Licensure Applicants and Renewals, which implements the requirements of 8 U.S.C. § 1621.
Posted on January 23, 2026
