HB4765

HB4765 tightens the rule allowing a state or local government to conduct code enforcement without employing someone registered under the code-enforcement law. That option now applies when the person doing the work qualifies for the existing exemption: the person must be licensed or registered under another Texas law and perform code enforcement under that credential. Previously, the government-employment exception did not contain that condition. Code enforcement includes inspecting premises for fire, health, nuisance and unsafe-building hazards. Final law

The law also clarifies that an officer is an individual who works for the state or a political subdivision, defines an officer in training, and expressly requires a valid registration certificate to use the officer title unless exempt. It eases reciprocal registration from an out-of-state credential whose requirements are at least “substantially equivalent,” replacing “equivalent.” It expressly requires a proper renewal application and changes the regular-officer eligibility provision’s fee wording to an application fee rather than listing application, examination and registration fees. It does not set a dollar fee or eliminate the examination or experience requirements.

Trainee supervision needs a separate caveat. HB4765 describes supervision by a registered officer, but another enacted law, SB1376, allows a trainee to work without supervision if the employer does not also employ a registered officer. The official combined statute retains that exception. HB4765 should not be read in isolation as eliminating it. SB1376 final text · Occupations Code Chapter 1952

HB4765 took effect September 1, 2025. It does not give code-enforcement officers general police powers or change the underlying building and health standards they enforce.