Notice of Scheduled System Maintenance – Versa Online
The Council’s online licensing system, Versa Online, will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance with the Texas.gov SnapPay payment system.
Downtime:
Thursday, March 26, 2026
9:15 PM – 11:15 PM (Central Time)
During this time, users will not be able to access Versa Online or submit payments.
Because this maintenance window occurs near the end of the month, licensees with renewals due in March should plan accordingly.
Licensees are encouraged to share this notification with their friends and colleagues to help ensure a high level of awareness.
We appreciate your patience as this work is completed.
Posted on March 16, 2026
Guidance on the Interplay Between Chapter 161, Subchapter Y of the Texas Health and Safety Code and Clinical Practice
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council has issued a guidance document titled Guidance on the Treatment of Gender Identity-related Concerns Under Chapter 161, Subchapter Y, Texas Health & Safety Code.
The document is intended to assist licensees in understanding how Chapter 161, Subchapter Y of the Texas Health & Safety Code relates to clinical practice.
The guidance document is available for download by clicking here.
Posted on March 13, 2026
Verification of Lawful Presence and Authority to Work
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
Holiday Office Closures
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday from Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, December 26.
In addition, the Council will also be closed for the New Year holiday on Thursday, January 1 and Friday, January 2, 2026.
Posted on December 16, 2025
Upcoming Leadership Listening Hour Webinar
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is pleased to bring you another installment of its monthly webinar series entitled Leadership Listening Hour. This webinar will be an interactive virtual session designed for Council licensees to engage in open and candid conversations with the Executive Director and executive staff. This informal and unscripted forum provides an invaluable opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss any issues related to the profession.
What to Expect:
– Direct Access: Connect directly with the Executive Director and key leadership team members.
– Open Dialogue: Enjoy an informal, conversational atmosphere where your voice is heard.
– Monthly Sessions: Held once a month to ensure regular and consistent communication.
– Varied Topics: Discuss a wide range of topics relevant to your professional practice and the agency’s operations.
Why Attend:
– Engage with Leadership: Gain insights from the top executives and get answers to your pressing questions.
– Share Your Perspective: Contribute your thoughts and feedback on important issues affecting the profession.
– Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest developments and initiatives from the agency.
How to Join:
– Date and Time: The Leadership Listening Hour will be held on January 16, 2026 at 12pm.
– Platform: This virtual session will be conducted via Zoom.
– Registration: Please register in advance by clicking here.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council has NOT approved continuing education credit for attending this presentation.
Posted on December 8, 2025
Notice of Proposed PSYPACT Rules
The PSYPACT Commission has released proposed revisions to Rule 10 and is seeking public comment. The revisions would (1) establish a process for reviewing and adjusting the formula used to calculate Annual Assessment fees charged to member states, and (2) cap the maximum Annual Assessment fee at $6,000 per jurisdiction.
The proposed rules are open for a 60-day public comment period, with written comments due by 5:00 p.m. EST on February 20, 2026. Comments must be submitted through the online form provided by the Commission.
Final approval of the rules will be considered at the PSYPACT Commission’s Midyear Meeting on July 13, 2026, held via Zoom. Details about the meeting will be posted on the PSYPACT website (https://psypact.gov/page/Meetings) at least 30 days beforehand. Public comments submitted will remain visible on the PSYPACT website until the close of the comment period.
Posted on December 3, 2025
2025 Customer Service and Strategic Planning Survey Now Open
In accordance with Chapters 2114 and 2056 of the Texas Government Code, the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council is conducting its 2025 Customer Service and Strategic Planning Survey.
The Council strives to provide licensing, enforcement, and other regulatory services to the public in an honest, fair, thorough, cost-efficient, and timely manner. To help us continue improving these services, we invite you to share your feedback regarding your experience with the Council.
In addition, the Council has begun its strategic planning process for fiscal years 2027–2031. Strategic planning is a long-term, future-focused assessment and goal-setting effort that guides all agency operations. Your input regarding trends, conditions, opportunities, and challenges affecting the Council or the professions we regulate is essential to developing an effective plan. Public feedback directly informs our process improvements, rulemaking, and communication with state leadership.
To participate in the combined survey, please click here.
Survey responses must be submitted on or before January 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m., at which time the survey will close.
Your ideas and suggestions truly make a difference, and the Council greatly appreciates your time and insight.
Posted on December 2, 2025
Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: A Townhall Discussion on Ethical Practice, Patient Safety, and Professional Standards
Join the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council for a virtual townhall discussion on the growing use of ketamine-assisted therapy and other controlled substances in therapeutic settings. As these treatment modalities become more prevalent, questions have emerged regarding their safety, efficacy, and ethical implementation.
This interactive session is designed to gather input and feedback from licensees and other stakeholders on a range of key issues, including:
- The prevalence and scope of ketamine and other pharmaceutical-assisted therapies in clinical practice;
- The benefits and risks these therapies present to consumers and the public;
- Best practices and professional standards for safe and ethical administration;
- Common safety protocols employed by practitioners; and
- Training and competency requirements for licensees engaging in these modalities.
Your participation will help inform whether additional rules, standards, or guidance may be needed to protect the public and support licensees in navigating this evolving area of practice.
How to Join:
Date and Time: December 18, 2025 at 12pm.
Platform: This virtual session will be conducted via Zoom.
Registration: Please register in advance by clicking here.
Posted on October 30, 2025
Online Licensing System Unavailable on July 14th
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council will be upgrading its database payment portal on Monday, July 14th, from 7am to 1pm. During this upgrade, members of the public will continue to have access to the Council’s website and jurisprudence exams but will be unable to access the online licensing system.
This means individuals will not be able to perform any functions requiring access to the online licensing system, such as applying for a license or supervisor status, renewing a license, changing their contact information, requesting a name change, or searching the license database.
Therefore, members of the public should plan accordingly. In particular, licensees with July renewal deadlines are encouraged to renew their license in advance of this planned outage to ensure agency staff are not overwhelmed with requests for assistance after the upgrade is complete.
While every effort has been made to ensure a speedy return to service following the upgrade, the public should anticipate some inconvenience during the upgrade process. To that end, licensees and members of the public are encouraged to share this information with their friends and colleagues to ensure a high level of preparedness for this planned outage.
Posted on July 3, 2025.
