PROVISIONAL LICENSE OR REGISTRATION.

(a) The commission may issue a provisional license or registration to an applicant currently licensed or registered in another jurisdiction who seeks a license or registration in this state and who:

(1) has been licensed or registered in good standing for at least two years in another jurisdiction, including a foreign country, that has licensing or registration requirements substantially equivalent to the requirements of this chapter;

(2) has passed a national or other examination recognized by the commission relating to the activities regulated under this chapter; and

(3) is sponsored by a person licensed or registered by the commission under this chapter with whom the provisional license or registration holder will practice during the time the person holds a provisional license or registration.

(b) The commission may waive the requirement of Subsection (a)(3) for an applicant if the commission determines that compliance with that subsection would be a hardship to the applicant.

(c) A provisional license or registration is valid until the date the commission approves or denies the provisional license or registration holder's application for a license or registration. The commission shall issue a license or registration under this chapter to the provisional license or registration holder if:

(1) the provisional license or registration holder is eligible to be licensed or registered under Section 116.0345; or

(2) the provisional license or registration holder:

(A) passes the part of the examination under Section 116.034 that relates to the applicant's knowledge and understanding of the laws and rules relating to the activities regulated under this chapter in this state;

(B) meets the academic and experience requirements for a license or registration under this chapter; and

(C) satisfies any other licensing or registration requirements under this chapter.

(d) The commission must approve or deny a provisional license or registration holder's application for a license or registration not later than the 180th day after the date the provisional license or registration is issued. The commission may extend the 180-day period if the results of an examination have not been received by the commission before the end of that period.

(e) The commission may establish a fee for provisional licenses or registrations in an amount reasonable and necessary to cover the cost of issuing the license or registration.