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Every 3 years, it’s the same song and dance — apply for a new professional license at a new duty station.
It means taking all new tests or attempting to have old tests transferred. I’m hunting down test scores and descriptions from 3 duty stations ago in a vain attempt to save the hundreds of dollars it will cost for a test assessment.
As professionally licensed military spouses move around the nation and the world, it pays off big time to have some help. Use these resources to help you get into a licensed career field, transfer your license or get a new credential.
How do you find out about licensing requirements when moving to a new duty station?
National Military Family Scholarships
Did you know that you can get a scholarship for your career? The National Military Family Association has scholarships available for military spouses who are looking to advance their careers. Whether you are going to school or need a little boost to get a credential, the NMFA is here. The scholarship application deadline is Jan. 15, 2018.
Licensing Guides
If you thought the NMFA was done at scholarships, think again! They have also put together handy guides for military spouses in nursing, teaching and the mental health fields. Each guide has a handy printable checklist as well as a longer explanation to help you navigate the road ahead.
CareerOneStop
Wondering about who to contact for licensing information at your next duty station? CareerOneStop should be your next stop.
Input your profession or career into the search box, then select your preferred state. A list of career choices should pop up. Click the one most similar to what you are looking for. The next page will give you further instructions and contact information.
For example, a search for teachers in Massachusetts brought us here: contact info for the state’s Department of Education licensing requirements.
Career and Education Counseling
Whether you are looking for information about going back to school yourself or need to find a tutor for your child, MilitaryOneSource has a solution to help. Education consultants can help busy military families find solutions to their education questions. Find out about scholarship opportunities, how to use MyCAA or where to turn to advance your career after a PCS.
Reciprocity Maps for Teachers
The ideal is to find a state that will accept your current professional license without a lot of insane hoops or redundant testing required.
USA4MilitaryFamilies is a great place to turn for information about teacher licensing reciprocity agreements directly impacting military spouses. Their interactive map helps to outline the agreements currently in place or being considered.
Getting advance notice about what might be required to transfer a professional credential can change how you prepare for your next PCS.
The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) also has a map that shows which states might offer reciprocity for licensing. This website is specifically for teacher and education professionals.
For information about other professionals, MilitaryOneSource has compiled an inclusive list.
The original online social network has been building military spouse communities for years! Now, there are even more opportunities to grow professionally.
Join a career specific Facebook group to find information about your particular profession. Or join something more general to learn about a variety of opportunities. Either way, you’ll be tapping into a vast network of experience and education. Check out this (probably not exhaustive) list:
- Military Spouse JD Network: to support military spouses who are lawyers
- Military Spouse Educators: to support military spouses who are teachers
- MilSpouse Network for Teaching Professionals: for every military spouse in the education or teaching profession
- Blue Star Educators: a group for military spouse teaching professionals run by Blue Star Families
- Military Spouse Nurses: for nurses who are military spouses
- Military Spouse Nurse Practitioners: for military spouses who are nurse practitioners
- Career Military Spouses: a network for any military spouse professional
- Military Spouse Networking: build a network and find others in your same career field
- In Gear Career: find local chapters of this inclusive networking and education initiative
i would like to go back to school in the spring and would like some help