BHEC Rule Updates Now Published in the Texas Register – Effective July 20, 2025
July 2025 Formal Rule Updates
By Chelsea Fielder-Jenks, LPC-S, CEDS-C, PMH-C
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) has officially published a series of adopted rule changes to the Texas Administrative Code (TAC). These updates appeared in the July 11, 2025 edition of the Texas Register and will take effect on July 20, 2025.
This summary breaks down what’s changed for LPCs, LCSWs, LMFTs, and Psychologists, and how you can stay engaged with the rulemaking process moving forward.
BHEC Administrative Rule Changes — Affects all licensees
In addition to changes issued by the individual licensing boards, BHEC adopted several updates to Part 41 of the Texas Administrative Code—rules that govern the administrative operations of the Executive Council itself. These changes affect all licensees under BHEC’s umbrella and aim to improve oversight, enforcement, and communication.
§882.50 Continuing Education and Audits – Mandates the use of a new electronic CE reporting system. This streamlined approach will increase audit efficiency while reducing administrative burden on licensees. A free reporting option will be available.
§884.10 Investigation of Complaints – Clarifies how and when BHEC has jurisdiction to investigate licensee conduct, especially in cases involving service delivery across multiple roles or settings (e.g., telehealth or school-based work).
§885.1 Executive Council Fees – Eliminates the license verification fee now that verifications are accessible online. This change reduces barriers and promotes greater transparency.
Summary: These administrative updates are part of BHEC’s continued efforts to modernize operations and enhance cross-board consistency.
Licensed Professional Counselor Rule Changes – 22 TAC Chapter 681
Effective July 20, 2025, the following adopted rules apply to LPCs:
§681.81 General Academic Requirements – Clarifies acceptable degree and coursework content for licensure to ensure alignment with modern educational standards.
§681.92 Experience Requirements – Details the types and amount of supervised experience needed for licensure eligibility.
§681.72 Required Application Materials – Removes the expiration provision for supervision training courses, allowing applicants to use older qualifying coursework, provided they still meet other supervisory experience and CE requirements.
§681.140 Requirements for Continuing Education – Replaces “cultural diversity” with “distinct populations competency” to broaden flexibility in CE topics. While the change drew both support and criticism, BHEC reaffirmed that training in cultural competence remains valid under the updated language.
Summary: These updates aim to modernize standards while preserving ethical obligations for effective, culturally responsive care.
Social Work Rule Changes – 22 TAC Chapters 781, 882, 884, 885
Effective July 20, 2025, the following adopted rules apply to SWs:
§781.501 Requirements for Continuing Education – Updates CE requirements to focus on “distinct populations competency.” While some commenters raised concerns that this may de-emphasize social work’s commitment to diversity and justice, BHEC clarified that training on cultural competency and specific client populations remains appropriate under the new rule.
§882.50 Continuing Education and Audits – Requires licensees to use a new, Council-approved online CE reporting system. This change aims to streamline audit processes; a free version of the platform will be available.
§884.10 Investigation of Complaints – Clarifies when a licensee’s conduct is considered within the Council’s jurisdiction, especially when practicing in overlapping or external environments.
§885.1 Executive Council Fees – Eliminates the verification fee now that verifications are available online.
Summary: These rules seek to improve efficiency, transparency, and alignment across behavioral health professions.
Marriage & Family Therapy Rule Changes – 22 TAC Chapters 801, 882, 884, 885
Effective July 20, 2025, the following adopted rules apply to LMFTs:
§801.261 Requirements for Continuing Education – Mirrors the “distinct populations competency” CE language. While some commenters feared this could weaken focus on cultural awareness, BHEC clarified that training on cultural and population-specific competencies continues to qualify.
§882.50, §884.10, §885.1 – Apply consistently across license types (see Social Work section above).
Summary: These changes are designed to give licensees more flexibility while maintaining expectations for clinical competence.
Psychology Rule Changes – 22 TAC Chapters 463 and 465
Effective July 20, 2025, the following adopted rules apply to Psychologists:
§463.35 Professional Development – Clarifies that continuing education should support competence in serving unique populations. Despite concerns that this change might devalue diversity-focused education, BHEC emphasized the intent is to give psychologists discretion to pursue CE that matches their practice area while maintaining high standards of care.
§465.38 Psychological Services for Schools – Clarifies the role and scope of practice for Licensed Specialists in School Psychology (LSSPs). The update is intended to better align with national standards without changing substantive scope.
Summary: Both rules aim to improve clarity around expectations for CE and practice boundaries.
Where to Find the Full Rules
The complete rules with preambles (which include justification and context) are available in the July 11, 2025 issue of the Texas Register. Updated Consolidated Rulebooks will soon be available on the Executive Council’s Statutes and Rules webpage.
Related Updates
Looking for deeper context on these changes, as well as insight into proposed and anticipated future updates? Explore our recent board meeting recaps:
How You Can Engage — Stay Informed. Stay Empowered.
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Engage with the board:
Subscribe to Email Updates from the Executive Council and the member via the Executive Council’s Email Updates webpage.
Submit written public comment for proposed rule changes (usually due by 5 pm CST the day prior to the meeting) to the board for any issue affecting your professional practice.
Attend the BHEC Leadership Listening Hour - This virtual Zoom webinar allows Council licensees to engage in open and candid conversations directly with the Executive Director and key leadership team members and serves as an invaluable opportunity to ask questions, share concerns, and discuss any issues related to the profession. The next listening hour is taking place August 22, 2025 at 12 pm CST.
Reflecting on the CE Language Change: From “Cultural Diversity” to “Distinct Populations Competency”
One of the most debated rule changes adopted across all boards this cycle was the shift in continuing education language—from “cultural diversity” to “distinct populations competency.” This change now applies to LPCs, LMFTs, LCSWs, and Psychologists in Texas.
Public Response:
Dozens of public comments were submitted across boards in opposition to this change. Many clinicians and educators expressed concern that removing the explicit reference to “cultural diversity” could undermine the state’s commitment to equity, anti-oppressive practice, and social justice. Others worried it signaled a broader political trend away from DEI values.
On the other hand, some licensees supported the update, believing the broader language would allow for more flexibility in how professionals tailor their CE to the populations they serve—whether based on race, language, setting, ability, age, or other identity factors.
BHEC’s Response:
Across multiple boards, including during the June 24, 2025 BHEC meeting, Council members emphasized that the updated language does not prohibit or discourage training in cultural competence, diversity, or identity-centered care. Instead, the term “distinct populations competency” is intended to give licensees more autonomy to pursue training that matches their clinical setting and client base.
As stated during the meeting:
“We’re not saying you shouldn’t take training in cultural competence—we’re saying it’s your responsibility to know who you serve, and seek training that helps you do that well.”
— BHEC Board Member, June 24, 2025 Council Meeting (Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, 2025)
The rule change was unanimously adopted across all boards. The new CE terminology becomes effective July 20, 2025, with further guidance anticipated in future communications and rulebook updates.
Reference:
Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council. (2025, July 11). Adopted rule changes to Title 22 of the Texas Administrative Code. Texas Register, 50(28), 4177–4194. https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/index.shtml
