Bill > HB821

This bill, titled the "Military Spouses and Veterans Licensure Act," mandates that all professional licensing boards and other state boards in Georgia must establish procedures by July 1, 2017, to help military spouses and service members transitioning out of the military obtain professional licenses more easily. These procedures can include temporary licenses, licenses by endorsement (where a license from another state with similar requirements is recognized), or expedited licenses, and can be based on an applicant's existing out-of-state licenses or their military training and experience if they substantially meet or exceed Georgia's requirements. The bill defines key terms like "license" as any official authorization to practice a profession or trade, "military" as the U.S. armed forces, "military spouse" as the spouse of a service member, "other board" as any board not specifically a professional licensing board, "service member" as active or reserve military personnel, and "transitioning service member" as someone within two years of retirement or one year of separation from the military. Any new boards created after June 30, 2016, will have one year from their creation to adopt these rules.