Tuition Reimbursement for Mental Health Professionals in Texas

[sanantone]

I can't remember if I created a thread for this in 2015, and I don't feel like searching. I'm posting about this in 2017 because Texas has just added marriage and family therapists to the program. I won't quote this part of the bill, but Texas also defined the practice of psychology after some crazy lady won a court case over being able to call herself a psychologist without being licensed.

SECTION 3. Section 61.607(b), Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The total amount of repayment assistance received by a
mental health professional under this subchapter may not exceed:
(1) $160,000, for assistance received by a licensed
physician;
(2) $80,000, for assistance received by:
(A) a psychologist;
(B) a licensed clinical social worker, if the
social worker has received a doctoral degree related to social
work; [or]
© a licensed professional counselor, if the
counselor has received a doctoral degree related to counseling; or
(D) a licensed marriage and family therapist, if
the marriage and family therapist has received a doctoral degree
related to marriage and family therapy;
(3) $60,000, for assistance received by an advanced
practice registered nurse; and
(4) $40,000, for assistance received by a licensed
clinical social worker, a licensed marriage and family therapist,
or a licensed professional counselor who is not described by
Subdivision (2).

I couldn't find it in this text, but you have to practice in an underserved county for five years to receive the maximum reimbursement. They prorate it by year. Most counties are underserved, so you won't have to move out into the boonies. And, the licensed physician has to be a psychiatrist; you can see the whole text below

https://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB3808/2017

[sanantone]

Substance abuse counselors are also being included. They'll be reimbursed up to $10,000.