Regarding the Interim Credential Application:
As of January 1, 2026, the Interim Credential is no longer available as an application route for providers. Comprehensive information on the Interim Credential is still available in the T3C System Blueprint.
What is an Interim Credential?
Existing General Residential Operations (GROs) and Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) that meet certain eligibility criteria will be able to apply for an initial, short-term Interim Credential. The purpose of the Interim Credential is to assist current providers in making the transition between the current foster care system (based largely on the Service Level structure) to the T3C System.
Within state and federal statute and regulatory requirements, DFPS-approved providers could start providing T3C Service Packages and Add-On Services based on evaluation of a comprehensive plan and prior to meeting all the requirements to become fully Credentialed.
Providers approved for an Interim Credential to provide a particular Service Package or Add-On Service are required to become fully Credentialed before the Interim Credential expires on the last day of the twelfth calendar month after the issuance of the Active Interim Credential status.
The Active Interim Credential for any one Service Package or Add-On Service is issued to the eligible provider one time only and is not renewable.
The Inactive and Active Interim Credential Periods
The Interim Credential is divided into two status periods, starting with the Inactive Interim Credential, and followed by the Active Interim Credential.
The Inactive Interim Credential is issued to a qualifying provider after it has been determined that they are eligible and meet all of the requirements necessary at the time of application. During the Inactive Interim Credential period, the provider must complete all of their plans to fulfill the requirements identified as “Required to be In Place on 1st Day Operating under Active Interim Credential” (see APPENDIX II.A: Interim Credential Requirements in the BlueprintPDF Document). The Inactive Interim Credential is valid for up to 120 calendar days and failure to submit documentation of completion of all required plans to move to the Active Interim Credential status by that deadline will result in the provider losing their Interim Credential and having to re-apply for a new Interim Credential with an updated eligibility review.
Once the provider has satisfied all requirements identified as “Required to be in Place on 1st Day Operating under Active Interim Credential”, the provider will be issued the Active Interim Credential, allowing for T3C paid placements into the Credentialed T3C Service Package(s) and Add-On Service(s) to be entered for children currently in placement, as well as acceptance of new placements into the Credentialed Service Packages. The Active Interim Credential status period must end by the expiration of the Interim Credential on the last day of the twelfth calendar month after the Active Interim Credential is issued.
There should be no expectation of extensions or renewals to the Active Interim Credential, although DFPS reserves the right to, for good cause as determined by the Department, issue one extension of up to six months. Failure to meet the requirements and obtain the Full Credential by the deadline will result in the loss of the Interim Credential and it’s resulting ability to offer T3C services, as well as one or more Contract Actions, up to and including Contract Termination.