# Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021

Military families move a lot. When a service member gets stationed somewhere new, their spouse often has to start their career over from scratch—even if they're a nurse, teacher, therapist, or other licensed professional. This bill fixes that problem by letting military spouses use their professional licenses in their new state without having to go through expensive and time-consuming relicensing procedures.

Here's how it works: If you're a military spouse with a valid professional license and your family relocates because of military orders, your license will be recognized in your new state for as long as you're stationed there. You just need to show your military orders to the licensing board in your new location, keep your original license in good standing, and follow the new state's rules about professional standards and continuing education. This applies to any profession that requires a state license—doctors, nurses, therapists, real estate agents, contractors, and many others.

The problem this solves is real and costly. Military spouses already face unemployment rates nearly six times higher than the general population, and the bill notes that the average military family loses over $10,000 per year dealing with relicensing fees and lost wages when they move. About 30 percent of military spouses work in licensed professions, and most states have already recognized this issue and taken steps to help. This federal law creates a consistent solution across all states so military families don't have to navigate 50 different licensing systems. The relief is temporary—it only lasts while the service member is on active duty orders—but it gives spouses the ability to keep working and earning income during what's typically a stressful transition period.

Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021

Garcia, Mike

Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act of 2021 This bill provides for the portability of professional licenses of service members and their spouses who are relocated, because of military orders, outside of the jurisdiction that issued the license. Specifically, a professional license in good standing of a service member or spouse shall be considered valid at a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for in the new jurisdiction for the duration of such military orders. To establish and maintain eligibility, a service member or spouse must (1) provide a copy of the military orders to the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction; (2) remain in good standing with the licensing authority that issued the license; and (3) submit to the authority of the licensing authority in the new jurisdiction for the purposes of standards of practice, discipline, and fulfillment of any continuing education requirements. The bill also provides that if a service member or spouse is licensed to operate in multiple jurisdictions through an interstate licensure compact, the service member or spouse is subject to the requirements of the compact or the applicable provisions of the state law rather than the provisions of this bill.