Utah Senator Mike Lee introduced the Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act on Wednesday — legislation that would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state reciprocity in the state where their spouse is serving on military orders. According to Lee, military spouses are forced to pay thousands of dollars to obtain licensure each time they move to new states because of all the different licensing laws in each state. He said this bill will “help lift that unjust burden on our military families – who sacrifice so much to protect our nation – by ensuring that spouses can receive the licensing reciprocity they need across state lines.”
Rep. Mike Garcia from California shares Lee’s optimism for the bill, saying “military families have enough things to worry about.” He said worrying about professional licensing is unnecessary.
In order to receive reciprocity, a license must be in good standing. The spouse must also comply with the state’s standards of practice, discipline and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements. The bill does not preempt the states’ rightful authority to set their own licensing standards.
