Path Toward Professional Licensing Eased for Veterans

As a follow-up to the act passed last year calling for state agencies that oversee professional licensing to establish guidelines to assist members of the armed forces, veterans and their spouses find jobs in Massachusetts, the Patrick administration announced this week that such guidelines are in now place. 

"This component of the (Veterans' Access, Livelihood, Opportunity and Resources) Act was inspired by a request from First Lady Michelle Obama and the Joining Forces Initiative to ensure that those who have served in the military have a streamlined and efficient process through which to obtain appropriate licensure for jobs when they are home," the administration said in a press release. 

Each of the state's 31 boards that oversee professional licensing will now:

• Accept relevant education, training and service completed by a license applicant as a member of the armed forces or the military reserves toward the qualifications required for licensure;  
• Allow for the trade or professional license of a member of the armed forces who is on active duty to remain valid until he or she is released from active duty, and for 90 days thereafter; and
• Expedite the licensure process for military spouses who are licensed in other states and have left employment there to accompany a spouse relocated to the Commonwealth due to a military transfer.

Some professions that have already adopted the streamlined licensing for military members, or are in the process of adopting them include paramedics, emergency medical technicians, nurses, commercial drivers, engineers, public safety professionals, pipefitters, and more. See the full list, and more information on the licensing programs here. 

"This type of collaboration recognizes their military training, experience and professionalism as they transition to the civilian work force. This initiative supports all service members transitioning from active duty, and National Guard and Reserve personnel who are unemployed within our communities," Brigadier General Marianne Watson, the National Guard Bureau's Director of Personnel, said in a press release.

Gov. Deval Patrick also this month signed an executive order to help small businesses owned by disabled veterans increase access to contracts for public projects in the areas of construction, design and goods and services procurement.