Measure aimed at reciprocal occupational licensing for military personnel moves forward

OKLAHOMA CITY- A measure that would provide reciprocal licensing for military personnel and their spouses is making its way through the legislature.  Senate Bill 670 cleared the Senate and is now in the House awaiting consideration.

SB 670, authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond and House Speaker Charles McCall, R- Atoka, amends the Post-Military Service Occupation, Education and Credentialing Act and authorizes active duty military personnel and their spouses to request in advance a temporary, reciprocal occupational license from the state upon receiving orders to discharge or transfer to Oklahoma.  State agencies, commissions, and regulatory authorities are directed to ensure the applicant for a temporary license possesses the equivalent education, training, and experience with a valid license or certification from another state within thirty days of receiving the request.  The measure also outlines the procedure for an agency, commission, or regulatory authority to deny an application if applicable.   The bill also includes language requiring state entities to waive the application fee for qualifying military veterans and the temporary license may be continually renewed.

“Military life by nature is transient and typically comes with a level of unsettledness as military families are continuously asked to relocate and adapt to new communities, but this measure would alleviate some of those adjustment pains that come with a military move,” said Pugh.

Pugh said this measure has gained the attention of officials from the Department of Defense, as he noted the agency’s visit to Oklahoma last week to learn more about the legislation.

“Oklahoma is a great place to live and work, and this bill enables us to further extend that quality of life to military personnel and their families almost immediately upon their arrival in the state for military service,” Pugh said.  “By ensuring they’re able to transition quickly back into their professions and offering reciprocity for occupational licensing for military families, we can help make a traditionally stressful time of re-settlement after a move a little easier for those who serve our nation.”

If signed into law, SB 670 would become effective November 1, 2019.