Bill Text: VA SB1188 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation; international licensure and certification; regulations.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-08 - Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology [SB1188 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2025-SB1188-Introduced.html
2025 SESSION
INTRODUCED
25104529D
SENATE BILL NO. 1188
Offered January 8, 2025
Prefiled January 8, 2025
A BILL to direct the boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation to develop regulations to provide a pathway to licensure for individuals with equivalent qualifications from another country.
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Patron—Pekarsky
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Referred to Committee on General Laws and Technology
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. § 1. That the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (the Department) shall develop regulations to provide a pathway to licensure or certification for individuals with equivalent qualifications from another country. Such regulations shall include the following requirements for issuing a license or certification:
1. Applicants shall provide documentation demonstrating (i) United States citizenship, (ii) permanent residency, or (iii) a valid work visa along with proof that the applicant has submitted a petition for permanent residency status;
2. The regulatory boards within the Department shall include a method for awarding partial or full credit toward any training and education requirements;
3. The regulatory boards within the Department shall use professional credential verification services; and
4. The regulatory boards within the Department may only issue a license or certification pursuant to such regulations upon receipt of satisfactory documentation of the requisite education, training, and proof of licensure in accordance with board standards and requirements, or any other criteria the board deems necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public.
§ 2. The regulatory boards within the Department shall ensure that applicants that are licensed in accordance with the regulations promulgated pursuant to this act are subject to the same examination requirements as other applicants for initial licensure in a given profession or occupation.
