Bill Text: VA HB405 | 2016 | Regular Session | Chaptered

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Bill Title: Professional and occupational licenses; temporary licenses for spouses of military service members.

Sponsorship: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 4-1)

Status: (Passed) 2016-02-26 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0033) [HB405 Detail]

Download: Virginia-2016-HB405-Chaptered.html

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CHAPTER 33 An Act to amend and reenact §54.1-119 of the Code of Virginia, relating to professional and occupational licenses; temporary licenses for spouses of military service members. [H 405] Approved February 26, 2016

 

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §54.1-119 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:

§54.1-119. Expediting the issuance of licenses, etc., to spouses of military service members; issuance of temporary licenses, etc.

A. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary and unless an applicant is found by the board to have engaged in any act that would constitute grounds for disciplinary action, a regulatory board within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation or the Department of Health Professions or any other board named in this title shall expedite the issuance of a license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth to an applicant whose application has been deemed complete by the board and (i) who holds the same or similar license, permit, certificate, or other document required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation issued by another jurisdiction; (ii) whose spouse is the subject of a military transfer to the Commonwealth; and (iii) who left employment to accompany accompanies the applicant's spouse to Virginia, if, in the opinion of the board, the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document in such other jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those required in the Commonwealth.

B. If a board is unable to (i) complete the review of the documentation provided by the applicant or (ii) make a final determination regarding substantial equivalency within 20 days of the receipt of a completed application, the board shall issue a temporary license, permit, or certificate, provided the applicant otherwise meets the qualifications set out in subsection A. Any temporary license, permit, or certification issued pursuant to this subsection shall be limited for a period not to exceed six 12 months and shall authorize the applicant to engage in the profession or occupation while the board completes its review of the documentation provided by the applicant or the applicant completes any specific requirements that may be required in Virginia that were not required in the jurisdiction in which the applicant holds the license, permit, or certificate.

C. The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of whether a regulatory board has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the other jurisdiction pursuant to subsection B of §54.1-103.

D. Any regulatory board may require the applicant to provide documentation it deems necessary to make a determination of substantial equivalency.