HB 2157

shortcut for psychologists to a school psychology license

Died in committee

Verdict: No flags

No flagsInitial review

Initial review · graded Oct 20, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to the licensing of a psychologist as a licensed specialist in school psychology; authorizing a fee.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Pass the exam, apply, pay a fee. Rules due January 1, 2026.

This bill creates a shortcut for licensed psychologists to also get a license as a specialist in school psychology by passing the required exam, applying, and paying a fee. It touches licensed psychologists who want to work in schools and the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, which must write the rules and set the fee by January 1, 2026. On the ground, these psychologists can skip the separate school-psychology coursework and 1,200 supervised hours, and the council may require continuing education on special education and school-based services.

Labels

Labels: ZOMBIE BILL. Died 2 times: 88R HB 4156 (Died in committee) and this bill (Died in committee). Checked against 88R only.BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 88R HB 4156 (Died in committee). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.FEE INCLUDED. The caption of the graded version (introduced) reads: “relating to the licensing of a psychologist as a licensed specialist in school psychology; authorizing a fee.”NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Jan 28, 2025 and referred to the House Public Education committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB2157 · 2025-01-28

SOLD BY

Rep. Alma A. AllenDHouse 131

ITEM

relating to the licensing of a psychologist as a licensed specialist in school psychology; authorizing a fee.

WHAT IT DOES

Pass the exam, apply, pay a fee. Rules due January 1, 2026.

CHARGES

[ ] NONE FOUND

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

Jan 28, 2025Filed
Mar 14, 2025Read first time
Mar 14, 2025Referred to Public Education

ALSO NOTED · NOT CHARGED (1)

NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEES · analysis confidence 30%

THE TEXT

“pays the fee set by the executive council”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The bill authorizes a new license fee for this pathway. The caption openly says it authorizes a fee, so this is routine and not hidden.

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

No flags

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Alma A. Allen

Donors

Texas Sands PAC$4K Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$2K Better Days Chiropractic Clinic$1K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Nov 1, 2024 to Aug 14, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Sands PAC$4,000.00

Texas Sands PAC

$4,000.00

Cash: $4,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $4,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$1,500.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$1,500.00

Cash: $1,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 29, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Better Days Chiropractic Clinic$1,000.00

Better Days Chiropractic Clinic

$1,000.00

Cash: $1,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 5, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 5, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

Texas Sands PAC

$4,000.00

Cash: $4,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $4,000.00

Also funds 121 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 3, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Dec 6, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$1,500.00

Cash: $1,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,500.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 29, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Better Days Chiropractic Clinic

$1,000.00

Cash: $1,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $1,000.00

Also funds 0 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · on Nov 5, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Name match, not a verified identity: normalized filed name and state.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Nov 5, 2024. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100989001.

Votes

No floor vote loaded for this bill.

Fiscal

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version I by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 20, 2026, against the published rubric.

FILED BEFORE

Filed 2 times: 88R and 89R. Checked against 88R only.

88R HB 4156

by Rep. Allen, same lead author · Died in committee · same text

Introduced text

Last action, May 16, 2023: Referred to Health & Human Services

Relating to the licensing of a psychologist as a licensed specialist in school psychology; authorizing a fee.

Caption, 88R bill history

Sources

Texas House · Filed Jan 28, 2025

03/14/2025 H Referred to Public Education: Mar 14 2025 2:36PM

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:20 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

House committee · Public Education · Final status: Died in committee

Companion

SB 531 by Sparks (identical)

Subjects

Education--Primary & Secondary--Other School Personnel

Occupational Regulation--Health Occupations

PSYCHOLOGISTS

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 383 words

89R1971 BEE-F

By: Allen
H.B. No. 2157

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the licensing of a psychologist as a licensed

specialist in school psychology; authorizing a fee.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 501.260, Occupations Code, is amended by

amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (b-1) and (d) to

read as follows:

(b) The executive council shall set the standards to qualify

for a license under this section. Except as provided by Subsection

(b-1), [ The ] standards must include:

(1) satisfaction of minimum recognized graduate

degree requirements;

(2) completion of graduate course work at a regionally

accredited institution of higher education in:

(A) psychological foundations;

(B) educational foundations;

(C) interventions;

(D) assessments; and

(E) professional issues and ethics;

(3) completion of at least 1,200 hours of supervised

experience;

(4) receipt of a passing score on a nationally

recognized qualifying examination determined to be appropriate by

the executive council and on any other examination required by the

executive council; and

(5) satisfaction of the requirements under Sections

501.2525(a)(3)-(9).

(b-1) The executive council by rule shall provide for the

issuance of a license under this section to a person who:

(1) is licensed as a psychologist under this chapter;

(2) has received a passing score on a nationally

recognized qualifying examination determined to be appropriate by

the executive council and on any other examination required by the

executive council;

(3) applies for the license in the manner prescribed

by the executive council; and

(4) pays the fee set by the executive council.

(d) The executive council by rule may establish continuing

education requirements for a psychologist who holds a license

issued under this section in accordance with Subsection (b-1),

including continuing education coursework in an amount and

frequency established by the executive council that is related to:

(1) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act

(20 U.S.C. Section 1400 et seq.);

(2) Section 504, Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C.

Section 794);

(3) special education evaluations; and

(4) school-based psychological services.

SECTION 2. The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council

shall adopt rules and fees necessary to implement Sections

501.260(b-1) and (d), Occupations Code, as added by this Act, not

later than January 1, 2026.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.