HB 1008 – Occupational Licensure Endorsement
Authored by Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne)
Requires a board that issues a license for certain regulated occupations to issue a license to an individual who: (1) is licensed in another state or jurisdiction in the regulated occupation; (2) has established residency; (3) has passed a substantially equivalent examination as determined by the appropriate board; (4) is and has been in good standing; (5) pays a fee; and (6) completes the licensure application form. Allows for a board that requires an applicant to submit to a national criminal history background check to maintain that requirement even if an individual who applies for a license for a regulated occupation meets all of the license endorsement requirements. Provides that nothing in this bill prevents or supersedes a: (1) compact; or (2) reciprocity or comity agreement; if established by the board or the general assembly. Provides that, if a board has entered into a national reciprocal or endorsement agreement or a reciprocal or endorsement agreement with one or more states, then those agreements remain in effect.
Chamber position: Support
The latest: On Thursday, the Senate Commerce and Technology Committee passed the bill 8-1.
Indiana Chamber action/commentary: Before the measure was approved, the committee passed an amendment by Sen. Mark Messmer (R-Jasper), the Senate sponsor, that limits the applicability of universal recognition to licenses issued by just 14 boards, including the medical licensing board, and cosmetology and barber examiners, among others.
Despite the amendment, the Chamber testified in support of the legislation arguing that the underlying policy is necessary for the state to remain competitive and better equip our employers to fight the raging war for talent. The Chamber further testified that state-to-state migration has been cut in half in recent decades and that 20% of the decrease is attributable to states’ rise in occupational licensing.
The House’s Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee also passed a licensing bill, SB 427, on Tuesday. That version says that spouses of military members shall receive a provisional occupational license upon establishing residency. House Bill 1008 is more expansive in terms of who is eligible to benefit from license recognition (not just military spouses) but is more limited than SB 427 in terms of eligible occupations.
The bottom line, however, is that HB 1008 gives Indiana residents more opportunities to work in the jobs they are trained to perform and consumers of our state better access to professional services. For these reasons, the Chamber supports the state Legislature’s small – yet meaningful – step in reforming occupational licensing in Indiana.
Resource: Adam H. Berry at (317) 264-6892 or email: aberry@indianachamber.com
