Veterans Benefits for Licensing Examination Fees

Candidates who are veterans, or dependents of veterans, and who are taking licensing examinations through the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners may be eligible for reimbursement of the exam fee by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs. The Architect Registration Examination (ARE), the Landscape Architect Registration Examination (LARE), and the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ) examination have been approved for exam fee reimbursement if the veteran or dependent qualifies.

For details about this program, you may link to the GI Bill Educational Benefits Web site then scroll down the page and click on “more information on Licensing and Certification Tests.”

If you think you may qualify for this benefit, you should submit the following forms to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, VA Regional Office, PO Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888.

Application for Licensing & Certification Testing Fee Reimbursement (LACAS 1)

Form 22-1990 – Application for VA Education Benefits (for Veterans) OR Form 22-5490 – Application for Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance. Or you may call toll-free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veteran’s Benefits Counselor.

Special accommodations for military service members, veterans, and spouses

The Texas Legislature has passed bills to allow military service members, veterans, and military spouses extra accommodations regarding their TBAE registration. Read on to learn more about these special accommodations available to those who serve, and to their spouses.

Accommodations for military service members (active duty)

Currently, Texas law provides for special accommodations available to military service members (current full-time military service in U.S. armed forces or state military forces; see below for full definition of “active duty”). A military service member who is a TBAE licensee is allowed two years of additional time to complete TBAE continuing education requirements.

Additionally, a military service member who is a registrant in good standing or was in good standing at the time the Registrant entered into military service is exempt from the payment of all fees during active duty service. This exemption continues through the remainder of the fiscal year during which the registrant’s active duty status expires.

Accommodations for military service members and military veterans

If an applicant is a military service member or veteran, two considerations apply. First, any service, training, or education relevant to the regulated profession and earned during military service will be credited toward licensing requirements. And secondly, license application fees may be waived if military service, training, or education substantially meets all requirements of licensure.

Accommodations for military service members, military veterans, and military spouses

There are several special accommodations available not just to military service members and veterans, but to spouses as well. Those expanded opportunities include:

  • Eligibility for registration and waiver of application fees if the applicant holds an active license or registration in a jurisdiction with requirements substantially equivalent to those in Texas
  • Eligibility for registration if the applicant has held a Texas registration within the preceding five years
  • Expedited handling and issuance of license.

If you are a military service member, military veteran, or military spouse and any of the circumstances described above apply to you, simply give us a call at 512-305-9000 and we will walk you through the process.

Resources, notes, definitions

Senate Bill 807 Senate Bill 807 (2015)
Senate Bill 1307 Senate Bill 1307 (2015), including helpful definitions
Fee waiver request form
Phone number for questions or assistance: 512-305-9000
Email address for questions or assistance: CustomerService@TBAE.texas.gov

For details about this program, you may link to the GI Bill Educational Benefits Web site then scroll down the page and click on “more information on Licensing and Certification Tests”.

If you think you may qualify for this benefit, you should submit the following forms to the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, VA Regional Office, PO Box 8888, Muskogee, OK 74402-8888.

Application for Licensing & Certification Testing Fee Reimbursement (LACAS 1)

Form 22-1990 – Application for VA Education Benefits (for Veterans) OR Form 22-5490 – Application for Survivor’s and Dependent’s Educational Assistance. Or you may call toll-free 1-888-GI-BILL-1 (1-888-442-4551) to speak with a Veteran’s Benefits Counselor.