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Oklahoma Senate
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Sen.
Measure to allow reciprocal occupational licensing for military personnel signed into law
Sen.
A measure providing reciprocal licensing for military personnel and their spouses was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt this week.
SB 670, authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, 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 30 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.
Pugh said the measure creates a more welcoming environment for military families who move to Oklahoma.
“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 bill will alleviate some of those adjustment pains that come with a military move,” said Pugh. “I’d like to thank the governor, as well as the agency boards and commission members who worked with me to advance this measure. It puts Oklahoma at the forefront nationally in recognizing the various quality of life issues military members and their families face upon relocation.”
Pugh said this measure has gained the attention of officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, as he noted the agency’s recent visit to Oklahoma to learn more about the legislation.
“Oklahoma is a great place to live and work, and this new law will allow 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 the stressful time of re-settlement after a move a little easier for those who serve our nation.”
SB 670 becomes effective November 1, 2019.
SB 670, authored by Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, 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 30 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.
Pugh said the measure creates a more welcoming environment for military families who move to Oklahoma.
“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 bill will alleviate some of those adjustment pains that come with a military move,” said Pugh. “I’d like to thank the governor, as well as the agency boards and commission members who worked with me to advance this measure. It puts Oklahoma at the forefront nationally in recognizing the various quality of life issues military members and their families face upon relocation.”
Pugh said this measure has gained the attention of officials from the U.S. Department of Defense, as he noted the agency’s recent visit to Oklahoma to learn more about the legislation.
“Oklahoma is a great place to live and work, and this new law will allow 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 the stressful time of re-settlement after a move a little easier for those who serve our nation.”
SB 670 becomes effective November 1, 2019.
Contact info
Sen. Pugh: (405) 521-5622
