HB 1008 – Occupational Licensure Reciprocity
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; (4) is and has been in good standing; (5) pays a fee; and (6) completes the licensure application form.

Chamber position: Support

The latest: Heard by the House Employment, Labor and Pensions Committee on Tuesday. The bill was held to enable stakeholders to collaborate on an amendment to be introduced at a future committee hearing.

Indiana Chamber action/commentary: A key problem caused by licensing – or relicensing – is that it reduces worker mobility because requirements often differ across states. In the 1950s, 5% of workers were licensed and mobility wasn’t as big of an issue as today when 20% of our workforce is licensed.

The intent of HB 1008 is that Indiana will universally recognize individuals licensed in other jurisdictions regardless of whether that jurisdiction recognizes Indiana licensees practicing in the same field.

As an initiative of the Indiana Chamber Economic Development Committee last year, the Chamber was working on a very similar bill that was to be filed in the Senate. However, after reviewing HB 1008, the Chamber and its Senate author agreed to work within the confines of that bill.

During the committee hearing, the Chamber testified that if someone is already licensed, the state should allow them to get to work immediately upon moving to Indiana. A person does not become unqualified merely by crossing a border. We have jobs. We have entrepreneurial opportunities. But we need talent.

Four professional association representatives – for engineers, architects, realtors and dentists – testified with concerns. Their hope is that HB 1008 will not interfere with systems and processes already in place to accommodate out-of-state professionals in their industries wishing to work in Indiana.

The Chamber is (and has been) working with these groups to ensure HB 1008 does not supersede any pre-existing, private sector solutions already in place that accomplish the bill’s underlying objective: to make Indiana more attractive to out-of-state professionals looking to relocate and avoid any disruption to their career.

The Chamber is running point on authoring an amendment to HB 1008, working with House policy staff and interested stakeholders.

Resource: Adam H. Berry at (317) 264-6892 or email: aberry@indianachamber.com