Continuing Education (CE) and Renewals- FAQ’s

The specific requirements for each renewal period are outlined in the rule for each profession listed above. If you hold supervisor status, you may need additional hours to maintain that designation. You may also visit our Renewals webpage for more information.

At least 50% of your CE hours must come from providers that meet one of the approved provider criteria listed below. The remaining 50% may be obtained from any provider you choose. You may receive all required CE hours from a single provider, as long as that provider meets one of the criteria. Approved CE Provider Criteria:

1. International, national, regional, state, or local association of medical, mental, or behavioral health professionals.
2. Public school districts, charter schools, or education service centers
3. City, county, state, or federal governmental entities
4. Accredited institutions of higher education
5. Religious or charitable organizations devoted to mental/behavioral health
6. A licensee with supervisor status (if applicable)

Self-study includes informal, independent learning that does not involve a CE provider. Example: reading a professional journal article. A good rule of thumb: if you receive a certificate at completion, it’s not considered self-study.

Yes, licenses serving on active duty for the military are exempt from fulfilling continuing education requirements. You can complete a waiver request on the CE Broker portal that will then be approved by the Council.

No, associate and provisional license holders are not required to complete continuing education.

The rules require continuing education (CE) or professional development “designed to ensure competency when providing services to a distinct population, defined as a group of people who share a common attribute, trait, or defining characteristic of the licensee's choice.” This requirement is different than a CE course providing training on clinical modalities, i.e., specific interventions for a particular diagnosis. Instead, this requirement directs licensees toward training on approaches or delivery of an intervention so the service is best received by a distinct group. For example, while a course on the treatment of PTSD may not satisfy the requirement, a course on military members with PTSD might suffice. Similarly, general training on depression would not meet the requirement, but a course focused on the presentation of depression in rural farming communities could. It may be helpful to consider the course description or learning objectives to help you decide if the course satisfies the rule. You may wish to include course description or learning objectives when you upload the certificate to CE Broker), if you believe either will help staff understand the content of the course, in case of an audit. See the Council’s How to Report Your Continuing Education webpage for more information about uploading a certificate, transcript, or other document to CE Broker. Please do not call or email staff asking about appropriate course for CE requirements. Staff may not pre-approve a CE course or CE provider.

House Bill 2059 (86R) requires all licensed health care providers to complete a course approved by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). A list of approved courses is available on the <a href=”https://www.hhs.texas.gov/services/family-safety-resources/texas-human-trafficking-resource-center/health-care-practitioner-human-trafficking-training”HHSC Human Trafficking Resource Center webpage.

This course must be completed every renewal cycle.

Successful completion of any Human Trafficking Awareness course, regardless of length, counts for one hour toward your CE or professional development requirement. If the particular course would otherwise independently qualify as continuing education in your profession (i.e. a course on providing social work services that includes a human trafficking component), you may include the remaining hours as part of your CE hours.

The Council does not pre-approve courses or providers. Instead, rules define what is considered appropriate CE or professional development. Licensees may receive CE from any provider that delivers education consistent with Council rules.

The Council no longer approves specific providers. Instead, follow the 50 Percent Rule (see above) and ensure that at least half of your hours come from an approved type of provider.

Yes. CE hours from international providers may count toward your 50% requirement as long as they meet one of the approved provider criteria.

The Council does not approve or renew CE providers. Any individual or organization may offer CE as long as it meets Council requirements. If you were previously an “approved provider” with HHSC, you may continue offering CE without renewal.

Certificates, letters, emails, or transcripts must include the licensee’s name, the date(s) of the course, the total hours of credit earned, and an indication of the topics included in the course.

Yes. CE Broker is the official CE tracking system for the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. All licensees must activate a free Basic Account to report CE hours. You can sign up for your free account at https://cebroker.com/. Optional paid upgrades are available for enhanced features such as personalized tracking and reminders.

No. You may link all of your licenses through BHEC to a single CE Broker Account.

No. You may be able to obtain duplicate certificates of completion from the course sponsor. Please contact the course sponsor directly to inquire as to availability. Be advised that some course sponsors charge for duplicate certificates.

You will not be able to renew a license without having your continuing education reported into the CE Broker tracking system. If you do not have the hours to report, your license will move to a delinquent status at expiration. To renew a delinquent license, you will be required to complete the continuing education requirements. Additional fees may apply.

Licensees will be notified directly by the agency if they are subject to an audit.

The practice act does not specify when an audit has to occur. It is recommended that you use standard record retention guidelines (i.e. five to seven years for tax records etc.).

A percentage of the active renewing licensee population is selected for the audit. The list of individuals selected for the audit is randomly generated by the Texas licensing system. Other than licensees automatically selected for the audit as a result of disciplinary action, the individuals selected for the audit are not known until licensing system generates the email notice.

Yes, a response is still required in both situations. At the time when the audit was run, your license was active, which is what made you eligible for audit. Regardless of whether or not you are working in your profession and regardless of whether or not you currently reside in the state of Texas, if you renew your license, you are eligible to be audited. If you are selected for the audit and have retired from your job, but still maintain your licensure, you are still required to meet the continuing education requirements for your license.

An individual can verify their license information by using the online search from the Council’s website. In general, license expiration dates are set to the last day of the license holder’s birth month.

Pursuant to rule 883.1, renewals are due on the last day of the license holder's birth month, but may be completed up to 60 days in advance. A renewal reminder postcard and email is sent out 30 days prior to renewal, however it is still the licensee’s responsibility to ensure they renew on time even if they do not receive these notices.

Licensees are required to renew through the Council’s Online Licensing System. Licensees are able to renew their license up to 60 days prior to their license expiration date.

Failure to renew before the last day of licensee’s birth month, will result in a delinquent license. Licensees are not permitted to practice on a delinquent license. In addition, late fees will be added in accordance to rule 885.1 and cannot be waived. Failure to renew within 1 year of delinquency will result in an expired license.

You will not be able to renew a license without having your continuing education reported into the CE Broker tracking system. If you do not have the hours to report, your license will move to a delinquent status at expiration. To renew a delinquent license, you will be required to complete the continuing education requirements. Additional fees may apply.

Former licensees may apply for reinstatement of a license after meeting all requirements and paying the reinstatement fee. Carefully review Council Rule §882.22 Reinstatement of a License. Gather the items listed in the Reinstatement Required Documentation Checklist.. Then, follow the step-by-step instructions in How to Request Reinstatement of an Expired/Retired/Revoked/etc. License on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.

Inactive status maintains your license with the Council, but by placing it in “inactive” status you are no longer eligible to practice unless/until you request to return to active status. See How To Request Inactive Status and How To Reactivate Inactive Status on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.

No. Licensees with inactive status are not required to complete continuing education.

A retired license is no longer considered a current, renewable license. Someone with a retired license wishing to practice again would be required to reinstate their license. See How To Request “Retired” Status on the Council’s How To User Guides webpage.