or licenses, which can create challenges as they move from state to state.
The Department of Defense announced the approval of a series of grants that will help military spouses with the issue of professional license portability.
Through a cooperative agreement with the Council of State Governments (CSG), grants will allow selected professions to work with CSG’s National Center for Interstate Compacts to develop model interstate occupational licensure compact legislation, addressing license portability affecting transitioning military spouses, along with other practitioners in the profession.
The five selected professions are:
- Teaching,
- Social work,
- Cosmetology,
- Massage therapy, and
- Dentistry/dental hygiene.
This is the first time the department has provided this kind of grant.
The announcement is the first installment of the cooperative agreement authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1784, a bill that addresses the burden associated with relicensing by assisting professions interested in developing interstate licensing compacts except that the organizations overseeing these professions lack the resources necessary to engage in the process. Professions that have successfully developed interstate licensing compact prior to the cooperative agreement grant process are:
- Medicine,
- Nursing,
- Physical and Occupational therapy,
- Psychology,
- Emergency medical services,
- Audiology/speech-language pathology, and
- Licensed professional counseling.
Reducing the burden associated with the occupational relicensing of military spouses is a priority for the department. The annual percent of the military spouse population that moves across state lines is 14.5% — compared to 1.1% for civilian spouses. As much as 34% of military spouses in the labor force are required to be fully licensed; and of those spouses, 19% experience challenges maintaining their licenses.
Military spouses can call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 to speak with a Spouse Education and Career Opportunities career coach to learn about free tools and resources to help them achieve their education and career goals.
The San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and specifically the Military Affairs Council will continue to monitor progress locally, statewide, and nationally to ensure military spouses transition smoothly into successful and meaningful careers while navigating frequent moves, and especially when they arrive in Military City USA.
