Bill > HB363

This bill amends the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act to specifically exempt dentistry and optometry from the law's provisions that otherwise require occupational licensing boards to recognize out-of-state professional licenses. The existing law, known as the Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act, generally allows professionals with valid licenses from other states to obtain a Mississippi license more easily by meeting certain conditions, such as having a license in good standing for at least one year, meeting education and experience requirements, and having no disqualifying criminal record. By adding two new exemptions to the law's applicability (sections 15(g) and 15(h)), the bill ensures that dental and optometry licensing boards will continue to follow their existing, more stringent licensing requirements rather than the universal recognition process. This means practitioners in these two specific medical professions will need to go through the traditional, potentially more complex licensing process in Mississippi, even if they hold a valid license from another state. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving licensing boards and practitioners adequate time to prepare for the change.

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https://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/2025/pdf/history/HB/HB0363.xml