Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Housing, Community Development & Veterans Committee

HB 2303

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Concerning professional licensing requirements for service members and military spouses.

Sponsors: Representatives Leavitt, Dufault, MacEwen, Gildon, Kirby, Fey, Morgan, Barkis, Kilduff, Dolan, Ryu, Young, Wylie, Doglio, Volz and Appleton.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Allows a service member or active duty military spouse to practice any profession regulated under Title 18 RCW, by the Department of Licensing, or by the Department of Labor and Industries if licensed and in good standing in another state.

Hearing Date: 1/21/20

Staff: Serena Dolly (786-7150).

Background:

Professional Licensing.

Washington State regulates a variety of businesses and professions. A business or profession may be regulated directly by an agency or under a board, commission, or other authority that may have sole or shared jurisdiction. Each regulated business and profession has a separate set of laws. Many professions have provisions for some form of reciprocity for licensees from other states.

Requirements for a professional license, certificate, registration, or permit vary considerably. Some professions may require:

Professions in Title 18 RCW.

Title 18 RCW includes the regulation of a broad array of businesses and professions. The following authorities issue licenses, certificates, registrations, or permits to individuals under Title 18 RCW:

Professions Outside of Title 18 RCW.

Additional professions are regulated outside of Title 18 RCW. This includes a number of professions regulated by the DOL including:

The LNI also regulates professions outside of Title 18 RCW. These include:

Other authorities also regulate professions outside of Title 18 RCW including:

Expedited Professional Licensing for Military Spouses.

A licensing authority that issues certain professional licenses, certificates, registrations, or permits must expedite the right of qualified military spouses to provide professional services. A qualified military spouse is a person who:

The procedures must include a process for issuing the person a license, certificate, registration, or permit, if, in the opinion of the authority, the requirements for licensure, certification, registration, or obtaining a permit of the other state are substantially equivalent to the requirements of this state.

Each licensing authority must develop a method to authorize a person who meets the established criteria to receive a temporary license. The temporary license allows the person to perform services regulated by the authority while completing any specific requirements that may be required in this state that were not required in the other state, unless the authority finds that the requirements of the other state are substantially unequal to the standards in this state.

Annual Reporting.

The DOL and the DOH are required to report on their efforts to implement legislation modifying professional licensing procedures for military spouses and veterans:

Summary of Bill:

A service member or active duty military spouse may engage in the practice of a profession regulated under Title 18 RCW, by the DOL, or by the LNI without obtaining a Washington state certificate, registration, license, or permit if the service member or military spouse is:

By December 1, 2021, and biennially thereafter, the DOL, the LNI, the DOH, and any other authority licensing a profession under Title 18 RCW must report to the appropriate legislative committees on the number and nature of complaints filed, if any, against a service member or military spouse practicing under this exemption.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2020.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.