Blunt’s bipartisan bill gives military spouses reciprocity for professional licenses

U.S. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) on Sept. 17 introduced the bipartisan Military Spouse Licensing Relief Act to provide for the portability of professional licenses of members of the uniformed services and their spouses. 

“I’m proud that Missouri has been a national leader when it comes to making it easier for military spouses to quickly transition their jobs to our state, and I’d like to see the same progress on the federal level,” Sen. Blunt said. 

The bill, S. 4608, is sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) and 22 original cosponsors, including Sen. Blunt and U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Martha McSally (R-AZ), Steve Daines (R-MT), Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). The legislation would give military spouses with valid professional licenses in one state reciprocity in the state where their spouse is currently serving on military orders, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Blunt’s office.

“This commonsense legislation isn’t just the right thing to do for military spouses, it’s the smart thing to do for the economy and all of the employers that will benefit from the skills and experience these spouses bring to the job,” said Sen. Blunt, chairman of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies.

The senator added that licensing requirements can be a burden for anyone moving to another state, but they are especially difficult for military spouses who may have to repeat the process every couple of years. “For someone to spend six months getting certified to do a job they may hold for only another year and a half is unrealistic,” he said. 

The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee for consideration.