TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
PART 15. TEXAS FORENSIC SCIENCE COMMISSION
CHAPTER 651. DNA, CODIS, FORENSIC ANALYSIS, AND CRIME LABORATORIES
SUBCHAPTER
C.
The Texas Forensic Science Commission (Commission) adopts amendments to 37 Texas Administrative Code Chapter §651.222, Voluntary Licensure Forensic Analyst and Technician Licensing Requirements without changes to the text as published in the August 29, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 5672). The rule will not be republished. The adoption: 1) permits latent print analysts working in unaccredited laboratories to fulfill the International Association for Identification certification requirement for licensure through successful completion of a competency exam administered by the Texas Division of the International Association for Identification or proctor approved by the Commission; and 2) qualifies crime scene reconstruction analysts with a high school diploma or equivalent degree for licensure.
Reasoned Justification for Rule. The adopted amendments qualify additional latent print analysts for a voluntary license by permitting latent print analysts working in unaccredited laboratories to take a competency exam administered by the Texas Division of the International Association for Identification or proctor approved by the Commission in lieu of a required International Association for Identification certification exam. The required certification exam is expensive and often difficult to achieve for personnel working in unaccredited crime laboratory settings, which are typically smaller law enforcement agencies without the funding necessary to sponsor candidates for supplemental trainings or certification exams. With regard to crime scene reconstruction analysts, many crime scene personnel have significant military and law enforcement experience that should qualify them for licensure in lieu of an associate's or other advanced degree. Allowing candidates for crime scene reconstruction analyst licensure who have achieved a high school diploma or equivalent degree will permit these types of candidates to qualify for voluntary licensure by the Commission.
Summary of Comments. The public comment period on the rule proposal began on August 29, 2025, and ended October 10, 2025. The Commission did not receive any comments.
Statutory Authority. The rule amendments are adopted under the general rulemaking authority provided in Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 38.01 §3-a and its authority to license forensic analysts under §4-a(b).
Cross reference to statute. Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 38.01§ 4-a(b).
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on November 5, 2025.
TRD-202503998
Leigh Tomlin
Associate General Counsel
Texas Forensic Science Commission
Effective date: November 25, 2025
Proposal publication date: August 29, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 936-0661