§8011. Veterans and military spouses

By January 1, 2014, each board, commission, office and agency within the department listed in section 8001 or affiliated with the department under section 8001-A shall adopt a process to facilitate qualified returning military veterans and qualified spouses of returning military veterans or of active duty service members to qualify for professional licenses granted by those boards, commissions, offices and agencies in an expeditious manner. For the purposes of this section, "returning military veteran" means a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States who has been honorably discharged from active duty. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Director of the Office of Professional and Occupational Regulation and each licensing board within or affiliated with the department shall, upon presentation of satisfactory evidence by an applicant for professional or occupational licensure, accept education, training or service completed by the applicant as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or Reserves of the United States Armed Forces, the national guard of any state, the military reserves of any state or the naval militia of any state toward the qualifications to receive the license.   [PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).]

1.  Endorsement.  The board, commission, office or agency may permit a returning military veteran or a spouse of a returning military veteran or of an active duty service member who holds a comparable license in another state to acquire a license by endorsement in this State for the remainder of the term of the license from the other state or until a license is obtained in this State.

[PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).]

2.  Temporary license.  The board, commission, office or agency may permit a returning military veteran or a spouse of a returning military veteran or of an active duty service member who holds a comparable license in another state to obtain a temporary license in this State for a period of time necessary to obtain a license in this State.

[PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).]

3.  Acceptance of military credentials.  The board, commission, office or agency shall permit a returning military veteran whose military training qualifies the veteran for a license in a profession or occupation that requires a license in this State to acquire a temporary license until a license is issued.

[PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).]

4.  Continuing education requirements.  The board, commission, office or agency may allow a full or partial exemption from continuing education requirements for a returning military veteran or the spouse of a returning military veteran or of an active duty service member. Evidence of completion of continuing education requirements may be required for a subsequent license or renewal. A board, commission, office or agency shall provide that continuing education requirements may be met by comparable military training.

[PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW); PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §2 (NEW). PL 2013, c. 424, Pt. D, §3 (AFF).