SPONSOR: Oehlerking
COMMITTEE ACTION: Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing by a vote of 8 to 5. Voted "Do Pass" by the Standing Committee on Rules-Administrative by a vote of 7 to 1.
This bill specifies that, any person who has at least three years of work experience in an occupation or profession in another state or the District of Columbia that does not use a license to regulate that occupation or profession may submit an application for a license in Missouri, with proof of experience and U.S. citizenship, to the relevant oversight body. Within 45 days of receiving the application, the oversight body must make a determination of qualification. The oversight body will require an applicant to take and pass a profession-specific examination and may require an examination specific to the laws of Missouri.
The license will be a one-time, non-renewable temporary license for two years. Upon expiration of that license, individuals will be required to apply for a permanent license, consistent with the licensure and application requirements of that license as set forth in statute and rule. A license issued under this bill will not qualify for reciprocity with another state or as part of an interstate compact.
The provisions of this bill will not apply to certain professions as specified in the bill.
This bill is similar to HB 2099 (2024) and SB 817 (2024).
PROPONENTS: Supporters say that this would build the workforce in our sState without compromising our standards for professional licenses. This is only for occupations and professions that are regulated in our sState but do not use a license to regulate that occupation or profession in another state.
Testifying in person for the bill were Representative Oehlerking; Missouri Association Of Chiropractic Physicians Association; Missouri Society Of Professional Land Surveyors; and James Harris, FGA Action.
OPPONENTS: Those who oppose the bill say that individuals coming to our State to work should have to take the required examination for his or her profession before being able to work.
Testifying in person against the bill was Arnie Dienoff. Written testimony has been submitted for this bill. The full written testimony and witnesses testifying online can be found under Testimony on the bill page on the House website.
Statutes affected: