A. Every agency, board or commission in this state with authority to issue and regulate professional licenses or certifications is authorized to provide for the automatic extension of such professional license or certification for active-duty military service members and to provide a reasonable period of time after military service to activate the license or certification for employment purposes.

B. Notwithstanding any other statutes to the contrary, any member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty who at the time of activation was:

1. A member in good standing with any administrative body of the state; and

2. Duly licensed or certified to engage in his or her profession or vocation in this state,

may be kept in good standing by the administrative body with which he or she is licensed or certified.

C. While a licensee or certificate holder is deployed on active duty as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, the license or certificate referenced in subsection B of this section may be renewed without:

1. The payment of dues or fees; and

2. Obtaining continuing education credits when:

a.circumstances associated with military duty prevent obtaining training and a waiver request has been submitted to the appropriate administrative body,

b.the active-duty military member performs the licensed or certified occupation as part of his or her military duties as annotated in Defense Department Form 214 (DD 214), or

c.performing any other act typically required for the renewal of the license or certificate.

D. The license or certificate issued pursuant to the provisions of this section may be continued as long as the licensee or certificate holder is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States on active duty and for a period of at least one (1) year after discharge from active duty.

Added by Laws 2012, c. 226, § 7, eff. Nov. 1, 2012.