Sen. Janet Cruz and Rep. Christine Hunschofsky.
By Kevin Deutsch
Representative Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) and Senator Janet Cruz (D-Tampa) this month filed legislation aimed at helping military spouses seamlessly transfer their professional licenses when they move to Florida.
House Bill 559 and Senate Bill 562 would require state agencies to expedite professional license applications submitted by spouses of active-duty members of the United States Armed Forces and waive required fees associated with their applications.
The legislation would offer a military spouse—already licensed in another state—the opportunity to have their application for the same or similar license expedited in Florida so that that they can work in their chosen profession during their spouse’s U.S. service.
The applicant would receive a temporary professional license until their longer-term license is approved. As an additional benefit, their application fee would be waived.
“Military families get uprooted often, and in many of those cases, military spouses find themselves unable to work because of the wait time for their professional license registration in the new state,” said Hunschofsky. “By waiving the fee, expediting the process, and granting a temporary license to practice their vocation, we are making life and finances just a little easier for our military families, continuing Florida’s goal of being the most military-friendly state in the United States.”
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