Texas Education Agency, Rule Update on OHI Forms

We are happy to report an important regulatory win for nurse practitioners in Texas. In May, the Texas Education Agency adopted a rule allowing APRNs to sign the Other Health Impairment ( OHI form) for their patients, effective June 7, 2022.  Over the past couple of years, TNP has been working tirelessly to remove roadblocks to NP practice in Texas rules and regulations. One of those obstacles has been a regulation preventing NPs from signing the OHI form, which certifies that patients have a health condition requiring support services in Texas schools. See details of the rule change below.

9 TAC §89.1040, Eligibility Criteria (ADOPTED) This rule amends subsection (c)(8) to allow for the multidisciplinary team that makes the determination of a student's other health impairment to include an advanced practice registered nurse and physician assistant. This change addressed a rulemaking petition submitted by Texas Nurse Practitioners in August of 2021.