| Military spouses may get break on work licenses |
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| Written by HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com |
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Authors: HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com
By Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot © February 15, 2012 RICHMOND Military spouses who move to Virginia will more easily obtain professional licenses to work under legislation moving through the General Assembly and being promoted today by White House and defense officials. Those officials, plus first lady Michelle Obama, plan to unveil a report on streamlining occupational licensing for military spouses and ask states to pass legislation addressing the problem within two years. The effort is part of the White House's Joining Forces initiative to better support veterans, the military and their families, said Brad Cooper, executive director of Joining Forces, during a conference call Tuesday. The report found that one in three military spouses requires a license to work in fields such as teaching, nursing and real estate, said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Neal Wolin, whose office created the report along with the Defense Department. Reapplying for that license each time they move to a new state can take months, leading to a high rate of unemployment among military spouses, Wolin said. "Military families are asked to move again and again, and they do this as their husband or wife serves this country," Cooper said. "... This transition is a huge headache and a barrier to employment for our spouses." The Virginia House of Delegates has unanimously passed legislation requiring state regulatory boards to expedite licensing for military spouses who hold licenses in other states with similar standards and relocate here because of a husband's or wife's military orders. The bill gives licensing boards, including the health professions department, 30 days to process an application. Starting July 1, 2014, the bill also creates a temporary, six-month license military spouses can use while they obtain a full license. Kathy Adams, 804-697-1563, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Read more http://hamptonroads.com/2012/02/military-spouses-may-get-break-work-licenses |
