You graduated from college and got your teaching license in one state and then the military moved you to another. You want to work but you can’t. Your professional license isn’t valid in your new home state. What a frustrating situation to be in. You are trying to support your spouse and your country and you can’t even work because of a state license, a professional license that you worked hard to earn.
How much money have you spent transferring your professional license?
Sound familiar? There are several careers that military spouses have worked hard to have but they have to give up their job because of state licensing. The process to get a new license can be complicated as well as cost you time and money.
Some states allow out-of-state licenses, others do not. The regulations can be really random and there is no national standard. This isn’t only an issue for military spouses. Civilians move to a new state for their spouses’ jobs too and run into this same type of problem.
So what is the answer? Have you faced this state licensing problem as a military spouse?
It would be great if there was a nationwide license transfer standard. Where it wouldn’t matter where you got your license and where you live in the United States because you could simply transfer your professional license without a lot of issues. Doing this would allow you to find a job in your field without having to worry that you don’t have the right license. This change would make life a lot easier for military spouses who want to further their careers.
The good news is that there is a group trying to make this happen.
The Third Way is a D.C.-based Think Tank working toward an “Interstate Teaching Application.”
Each state would evaluate the person as well as their credentials. Those working as nurses, lawyers and other professions would be able to benefit from something like this too.
I know if I worked hard to get a license and start my career in one state, I would really like to continue to practice my field in another state no matter where the military might send us.
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Life can be hard for military spouses when your career has to be put on hold. Not all spouses want to be a stay-at-home mom. There are so many spouses out there that want to continue working and can’t because of situations like this. It would be better for everyone if something could change to make it possible to easily transfer a professional license.
These changes would also encourage those who are in school or thinking about going to college to pursue one of these careers. They can continue their future careers more easily when the PCS comes. I know if I was debating a certain program, I would want to know that I could continue that career into the future, wherever we might go and whatever state the military might send us.
I served six years in the Navy, 18 in the Air Force. As a nurse anesthesiologist in the Air Force I had multiple licensure. They, as well as my drivers license, were able to remain the same no matter what state I was PCS too. It was called reciprocity and it should be mandated for all military spouses as well.
Great post Julie – there should be something in place to eliminate or at least make this barrier to employment easier.
One thing to note – your spelling of license vs. licence: the spelling you have used is British/Canadian.
In American English, license is both a noun and a verb, and licence isn’t used. For example, one who is licensed to drive has a driver’s license. In all the other main varieties of English, licence is the noun, and license is the verb. So, for instance, one who is licensed to perform dental surgery has a dental surgeon’s licence.
Yes, military spouses should have benefit of a national license. Dental Hygiene needs to be added to this list. RDH’s cannot freely move state to state without retesting or reapplying for licensure in some cases. I’ve personally spent a small fortune and a huge amount of time gaining my license due to moving across state lines.
Absolutely nationwide licensings time has arrived. Anything to the contrary is for profit only.
Most states make exceptions for the military for one thing or another, why not for military spouses so they can work.
I am dealing with this situation right now. Yes, I agree that professional licenses should be accepted nationwide. I hope it happens soon.
I’m a dental hygienist and would love for this to apply to my profession too. I have a masters degree in dental hygiene and can’t work until I become licensed in the state where I live/work. I have been licensed in 5 states in the last 10 years. On average we move every 2 years. It’s a challenge but I love to work so I keep trying! I wish all of you in similar positions the best of luck!
Yes they should be nationwide. If this was the case. It could save so many military spouses the stress. And I have seen this numerous times. We’re we are stationed now in another country is hard also. People are pretty much forced to volunteer just to keep there credentials up so when they return in 3-4 years they weren’t just sitting there doing nothing. And there are plenty of jobs here because it’s a very large European base. It’s just that so many jobs are given to the local economy of people off base it leaves no room for the spouses. And they also have so many volunteers trying to keep a good work history no need to hire when someone is working for free. But that right there is another subject. Lol
As easy as this sounds for a solution, the situation puts us at opposition to what we in the Military have sworn to do, uphold the Constitution … The 10th Amendment says any authority not specifically granted to the Federal Government shall remain with the States … I am prior service and work in a licensed industry … some States have license reciprocity, some do not … I actually hold licenses in several states and yes it can be a pain getting them … I do not think we should change the Constitution, so I take the tests in each State and get it done.
Yes, I definitely think having a teaching United States certificate would be better.
I think that if a military person or spouse gets a license in one state that it should be honored in all
states. Am retired now but the problem happened to my wife when we transferred.
Yes! Licenses should be honored nationwide.
I totally agree. Radiologic Technologists registered with the ARRT should be added to the list.. I had to retest in California to work as an RT. I incurred costs for the test, travel and lodging. The added stress after a PCS move was certainly not appreciated. I do think this should be done at the state level.however.
I think that licenses should be universal. The cost of transferring licenses from one state to another is costly. I also think that the active duty dependent whether spouse or not should be allowed the same criteria for employment status. Spouses are allotted 5 point preference in hiring. Not all dependents are spouses but are dependent because they are traveling and living with the active duty to assist with the raising of the children and taking care of the family in their absence. There are several adjustment that should be made.
It didn’t cause many employees to retire five years earlier.