DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law
or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 622 Original 2020 Regular Session Emerson
Abstract: Requires regulating entities to grant occupational and professional licenses when certain
requirements are met.
Proposed law establishes the "Universal License Reciprocity and Recognition Act".
Proposed law defines "applicant" and "regulating entity".
Proposed law requires regulating entities to issue occupational and professional licenses to people
who have established residency in this state and meet the following requirements:
(1)They are licensed or certified in at least one other state in the discipline applied for and at the
same practice level as determined by the regulating entity, and the license or certification is
in good standing in all states in which the person holds a license or certification.
(2) The person has been licensed or certified by another state for at least one year.
(3) When the person was licensed or certified by another state there were minimum education
requirements, work experience, apprenticeship requirements, or clinical supervision
requirements in effect and the other state verifies that the person met those requirements in
order to be licensed or certified in that state.
(4)The person previously passed an examination required for the license or certification, if
required by the other state.
(5)The person has not had a license or certificate revoked and has not voluntarily surrendered
a license or certificate in any other state or country while under investigation for
unprofessional conduct.
(6)The person has not had unresolved discipline imposed by any other regulating entity. If
another jurisdiction has taken disciplinary action against the person, the regulating entity
shall determine if the cause for the action was corrected and the matter resolved. If the matter
has not been resolved by that jurisdiction, the regulating entity shall not issue or deny a
license pursuant to proposed law until the matter is resolved.
(7)The person does not have a complaint, allegation, or investigation pending before another
regulating entity in another state or country that relates to unprofessional conduct. If an applicant has any complaints, allegations, or investigations pending, the regulating entity in
this state shall suspend the application process and shall not issue or deny a license pursuant
to proposed law to the applicant until the complaint, allegation, or investigation is resolved.
(8)The person pays all applicable fees.
Proposed law also applies to the spouses of active duty military members that have relocated with
their spouse, but these persons are not required to take an examination.
Proposed law does not prevent a regulating entity from entering into a reciprocity agreement with
another state or jurisdiction for persons married to active duty members of the armed forces of the
U.S.
A person who is licensed pursuant to proposed law is subject to present law which regulates the
person's practice.
Proposed law does not apply to criteria for a license, permit, or certificate of eligibility that is
established by an interstate compact.
Proposed law does not affect the ability of a regulatory entity to require an applicant to submit
fingerprints for noncriminal justice purposes.
A license or certificate issued pursuant to proposed law is valid only in this state and does not make
the person eligible to be part of an interstate compact. Proposed law allows a regulating to determine
eligibility for an applicant to be licensed or certified pursuant to proposed law, if the applicant is not
part of an interstate compact.
Proposed law requires the regulating entity to issue a license based on work or job experience in
another state, if all of the following are met:
(1)The applicant worked in a state that does not use an occupational license or certification to
regulate an occupation, but this state uses an occupational license or government certification
to regulate an occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the regulating
entity.
(2) The applicant has worked at least three years in the occupation.
(3) The applicant satisfies the requirements of proposed law.
Proposed law requires the regulating entity to promulgate rules to carry out the proposed law.
Proposed law becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2021.
(Adds R.S. 37:3721-3726)