Texas Forensic Science Commission

CFE and Renewal

Forensic Analyst or Technician License Renewal

License renewal applicants must fulfill CFE requirements as described in Texas Administrative Code §651.208. Applicants may apply to renew a forensic analyst or technician license up to 60 days prior to the expiration of the two-year license term. Renewed licenses take effect on the day following the date the applicant's previous license expired.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LICENSE RENEWAL AND CFE REPORTING

Continuing Forensic Education ("CFE")

CFE Instructions and Requirements

Forensic Analysts and Technicians will report all of their CFE over the two-year license period at the time of renewal (up to 60 days prior to the expiration of the license). CFE cannot be reported outside of a renewal application. For instructions on reporting CFE, follow our instructions posted in the link above.

To renew a forensic analyst or technician license, licensees must complete a Commission-sponsored mandatory legal and professional responsibility update by the expiration of each two-year license cycle as provided by the Commission. Forensic Technicians are not required to complete any other continuing forensic education requirements. Mandatory legal and professional responsibility training topics may include training on current and past criminal forensic legal issues, professional responsibility and human factors, courtroom testimony, disclosure and discovery requirements under state and federal law, and other relevant topics as designated by the Commission. The course may be accessed during the 60-day renewal period after a licensee begins his or her renewal application. The course can also be accessed anytime by visiting the TopClass catalog and typing "Legal" in the search bar.

All forensic analysts are be required to satisfy the following Continuing Forensic Education Requirements:

Completion of thirty-two (32) continuing forensic education hours per 2-year license cycle.
Sixteen (16) hours of the thirty-two (32) must be discipline-specific training, peer-reviewed journal articles, and/or conference education hours. If a licensee is licensed in multiple forensic disciplines, at least eight (8) hours of discipline-specific training in each forensic discipline are required.
The remaining sixteen (16) hours may be general forensic training, peer-reviewed journal articles, and/or conference education hours that include hours credited for the mandatory legal and professional responsibility training.

Approved continuing forensic education hours are applied for credit on the date the program and/or training is delivered.

If an applicant fails to fulfill any or all of the requirements pertaining to license renewal, continuing forensic education and the mandatory legal and professional responsibility update, the applicant may apply to the Commission for special dispensation. Upon approval by the Commission, the applicant may be allowed an extension of time to fulfill remaining continuing forensic education requirements.

CFE Forms

Proficiency Monitoring Certification Form

All renewal applicants must submit with their application an updated copy of the proficiency monitoring certification form signed by the licensee's authorized laboratory representative. A copy of the form is provided below.

Proficiency Monitoring Certification Form

De Minimis Texas Casework License Renewal

De Minimis Texas Casework License Renewal for Laboratories

Laboratories seeking renewal of a De Minimis Texas Casework License should fill out a new application for a De Minimis Texas Casework License up to 90 days prior to the expiration of the laboratory's license. Forms should be submitted directly to Licensing@fsc.texas.gov for approval. Upon approval, laboratories will receive an invoice based on the number of analysts named in the application and payment for the license must be remitted within thirty (30) days. Laboratories should submit this application along with the spreadsheet of employees who perform non-interpreting work for the laboratory to accurately calculate the total cost. The application can be access here:

De Minimis Texas Casework License Application for Laboratories

De Minimis Texas Casework License Renewal for Non-interpreting Analysts

Nothing new is needed from non-interpreting analysts other than to be listed again on the non-interpretive analyst/technician spreadsheet attached to the updated laboratory application. However, all analysts must take the Mandatory Legal and Professional Responsibility Course each license cycle which must be certified as part of the form.

De Minimis Texas Casework License Renewal for Interpreting Analysts

Follow the instructions for regular license renewal described above.