(a) The Texas State Board of Examiners of Professional Counselors consists of nine members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate as follows:
(1) five licensed professional counselor members, at least three of whom are in private practice and at least one of whom is a counselor educator; and
(2) four members who represent the public.
(b) Appointments to the board shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin of the appointee.