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OLR Bill Analysis
HB 6449
AN ACT EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN
OCCUPATIONS LICENSED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC
HEALTH.
SUMMARY
This bill generally makes it easier for health care professionals
licensed in other states to obtain a Connecticut credential if they reside
here. It does so by generally requiring the Department of Public Health
(DPH) to issue the appropriate license or other credential to a state
resident, or a spouse of an active duty service member permanently
stationed here, if that person meets specified requirements (e.g., has
practiced under a valid credential in another jurisdiction for at least a
year and has no disciplinary history). It allows DPH to (1) require
these applicants to pass examinations required of other applicants and
(2) deny a credential if the commissioner finds it to be in the state’s
best interest.
The bill requires the DPH commissioner to (1) convene working
groups to determine whether Connecticut should join any interstate
licensure compacts and (2) report to the Public Health Committee on
the groups’ recommendations by January 15, 2022.
Finally, the bill requires the DPH commissioner to report on
whether it would be in the state’s best interest to (1) replace any state
exams for certain credentialed professionals with tests by national
organizations that DPH deems acceptable and (2) reduce any
experience and training requirements while increasing testing of
applicants’ knowledge or skills. Generally, this provision applies to
DPH-credentialed professionals and other specified professionals
credentialed by certain other agencies (principally, the Department of
Consumer Protection). She must report to the Public Health
Committee by January 15, 2022, and develop the report in consultation 2021HB-06449-R000203-BA.DOCX
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with whatever boards or commissions she deems appropriate.
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2021, for the credentialing provision
and July 1, 2021, for the working group and reporting provisions.
§ 1 — DPH CREDENTIALING
Existing law provides for licensure by endorsement (also called
licensure without examination) for several categories of health care
professionals who are licensed in other states. Generally, this applies if
DPH determines that the other state’s licensure standards are
substantially similar to, or higher than, those of this state.
The bill generally requires DPH to issue an occupational or
professional license, permit, certification, or registration (hereinafter,
“credential”) to a state resident or an accompanying spouse of an
active duty service member permanently stationed here if that person:
1. holds a valid credential in the applicable profession in at least
one other jurisdiction and has practiced under that credential
for at least a year;
2. is in good standing in all jurisdictions where credentialed and
has no disciplinary history (including credential revocation or
other discipline; pending complaints, allegations, or
investigations related to unprofessional conduct; or voluntary
surrender of a credential during an investigation);
3. satisfies any background, character, or fitness check required of
other applicants; and
4. pays any credentialing fees required of other applicants.
These provisions apply to DPH-issued credentials. DPH determines
the practice level of the credential. The bill specifies that anyone
issued a credential under these provisions is subject to Connecticut law
and DPH jurisdiction.
The bill also allows DPH to (1) require any such person to pass an
examination (or part of one) required of other applicants and (2) deny 2021HB-06449-R000203-BA.DOCX
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an application if the commissioner finds it to be in the state’s best
interest (e.g., if the applicant has committed an act which would not
conform to the accepted standards of practice of the profession).
§ 2 — INTERSTATE LICENSURE COMPACT WORKING GROU PS
The bill requires the DPH commissioner to convene working groups
to determine whether the state should join any interstate licensure
compacts. Any such groups must convene by August 30, 2021.
The groups must include:
1. the DPH commissioner, the Office of Policy and Management
secretary, the Office of Health Strategy executive director, and
the chair of the appropriate examining or advisory board, or
their designees;
2. a representative of the appropriate state professional
association;
3. a representative of the professional assistance program for
regulated health professions (HAVEN); and
4. anyone else the DPH commissioner deems appropriate.
By January 15, 2022, the commissioner must report to the Public
Health Committee on the groups’ recommendations. The working
groups end when she submits her report.
COMMITTEE ACTION
Public Health Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 26 Nay 7 (03/12/2021)