Occupational Licensing Department
The Occupational Licensing Department is supervised by Sammy Jackson, Deputy Director
for Finance and Regulatory Control, with the assistance of Cathy Cantrell, Licensing
Program Administrator. The Licensing Department receives and processes all applications
for occupational licenses. Under the Texas Racing Act, §7.02, all persons who participate in pari-mutuel racing
in Texas, other than patrons, must be licensed by the Commission.
The
Licensing Process
Generally, any person who works on the grounds of a pari-mutuel racetrack or
who tries to make a living through pari-mutuel racing in Texas must be licensed
by the Commission.
The Commission has established over fifty categories of occupational licenses
to ensure all participants in racing are properly licensed. These categories
include stable and kennel area occupations, such as jockeys, owners, kennel
owners, trainers, and grooms, as well as all employees of the racetrack, such
as management personnel, food service workers, and mutuel tellers.
For a list of the Commission's licensing categories and the applicable annual license fees, refer to Commission Rule §311.5.
To be licensed, a person must:
- Complete an application form;
- Be fingerprinted on cards provided by the Commission; and
- Pay the appropriate license fee via a personal check, money order, Visa,
MasterCard, or Diners Club.
For security reasons, the Commission does not accept cash.
Applicants for most licenses should go the licensing office at a pari-mutuel
racetrack to be licensed. Some license types, however, may be processed and
issued by mail.
To see a list of downloadable forms, including the various license applications
forms, click here.
Because
the fingerprint checks may take several weeks, the Commission usually issues
a temporary license to applicants who, based on their applications, appear to
qualify for a license. The Commission staff will issue the applicant a license
badge with a photograph, which must be worn or carried while the licensee is
actively engaged in the performance of his or her duties.
The
fingerprints are sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Texas Department
of Public Safety. The Commission will be notified of any past criminal history
that might disqualify the applicant from holding a license. If the applicant
has already been issued a temporary license and badge, the applicant will be
notified that the permanent license will be denied and the badge must be surrendered
to the Commission.
Licensing
Criteria
Depending on the license category for which an application is filed, an applicant
may be required to satisfy other minimum criteria before being issued a temporary
license. For example:
Type of License |
Criteria |
Trainer
|
Minimum age of 18
Passing grade on trainer's test or valid
trainer's license from another racing jurisdiction |
Jockey
Apprentice Jockey
|
Minimum age of 16 (Under 18 must provide proof
of school enrollment and a parent or guardian must sign the application.)
Proof of physical examination during last 12 months
Stewards may require a practical examination |
Mutuel Teller
|
Minimum age of 16 (Under 18 must provide proof
of school enrollment and a parent or guardian must sign the application.) |
Veterinarian
|
Proof of current license in good standing with
Texas Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners |
For information regarding the licensing requirements for a specific category
of license, contact the Licensing Department in Austin or the Licensing office
at one of the racetracks. Click here
for a list of licensing offices for links to Licensing offices, their office
hours, and phone numbers.
Reasons
for License Denial
Under the Texas Racing Act, §7.04,
the Commission may deny a license if the applicant is not eligible to be licensed.
Some reasons for denial are:
- The applicant has been convicted of a felony or a criminal offense relating
to racing.
- The applicant owes money to the State of Texas.
- The applicant uses illegal drugs.
- The applicant abuses alcoholic beverages.
- The applicant lives with a person whose racing license was revoked during
the preceding year.
Correction
of Information
Pursuant to Texas Government
Code, Ch. 559 and Commission Rule §311.8,
if you submit information to the Commission, you have a right to view that
information to ensure it is correct. If after reviewing the information you
believe the information is incorrect, you are entitled to have that information
corrected.
To review information
the Commission has stored about you, contact any Commission licensing
office or the Commission's Austin headquarters.
To file a request to have the information corrected, contact the Commission's
Austin headquarters.
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