Texas Forensic Science Commission

CFE and Renewal

NOTICE: TRANSITION FROM TOPCLASS TO NEW LICENSE APPLICATION SYSTEM

License Applicants:

The FSC has closed its former TopClass application platform. Staff is currently uploading data in the new system for renewing and active licensees, beginning with those whose licenses expire soon. Individuals with expiration dates within the next 90 days will receive login credentials and instructions shortly if they have not already.

If you are a candidate applying as a new licensee or reactivating an expired license, please contact Leigh Tomlin at leigh.tomlin@fsc.texas.gov for the application link. We appreciate your continued cooperation and support during this transition.

FSC Licensing Staff

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 90 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.

RENEW YOUR FORENSIC ANALYST OR FORENSIC TECHNICIAN LICENSE

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 can be reported anytime during yoru license period by logging into the Forensic Science Commission's licensing system. For instructions on reporting CFE, follow our instructions posted in the link above.

To renew a forensic analyst or technician license, licensees must complete the 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 and completed anytime during your license term.

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.

CFE Forms

Proficiency Monitoring Certification Form

All renewal applicants must submit an updated copy of the proficiency monitoring certification form signed by the licensee's authorized laboratory representative. An updated copy of the form should be sent by your supervisor to licensing@fsc.texas.gov.

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's 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.