CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Senate concurred in the House amendments to complete action on a bill termed the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act, during floor session on Crossover Day.
Senate Bill 458 would allow for universal licensing reciprocity in West Virginia for occupations and professions governed by Chapter 30 of State Code. The legislation mandates that professional boards grant licenses to individuals who have been licensed in another state for at least a year under certain circumstances.
Licensees would need to show they are in good standing in their original state and show that they meet the minimum education, work experience, and clinical supervision requirements in the state they are coming from. The bill would also apply to any new resident who previously passed any required examination for the out-of-state license.
The applicant would need to have a clean disciplinary record, with no rescinding of licenses or voluntary surrenders in other states due to unprofessional conduct, as well as no criminal history. The licensee would still need to pay any applicable state fees for licensure under the legislation.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk to await his signature.
