Michigan removes professional licensing barriers for veterans

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Wednesday that removes barriers to help veterans and their families continue their careers in Michigan, accelerating the state's economic recovery.  

"I am proud to sign these bipartisan bills to clear the path for our military service members, veterans, and their dependents to enter a licensed profession," Whitmer said. "This legislation will help us attract and retain talent in Michigan and boosts our broader effort to put Michigan back to work."

Specifically, the legislation:

Eases the process through which an active duty service member, veteran or their qualifying dependents can obtain an initial health profession or occupational license or certification of registration in a profession or occupation for which they hold a license or registration in another state or country; waives the fee for the initial health profession license or registration; and redefines terms.
 
Expands the waiver of an initial license or registration fee for an occupational license to active service members and dependents of veterans and active service members. Under current law, fee waivers were available only to veterans. 
 
Requires the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) to issue certain occupational licenses to members of the armed forces, veterans and/or their dependents, without examination, as long as the individual is licensed or registered in that occupation in another state or country and certain conditions are met. 
"As a veteran, the wife of a veteran and as a mother to a military spouse, I understand firsthand many of the struggles veterans and military members face when they return home and seek employment, said Zaneta Adams, director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency. "This is a huge step in the right direction of making Michigan more veteran friendly. I am proud to be a part of a mission to make our state a great place for veterans and their families, to live, work and call home."

Read more about the new legislation at Michigan.gov.