Senate adopts substitute to expand licensing reciprocity, adds law-enforcement spouse waiver

Jefferson City — The Missouri Senate on March 18 adopted a substitute to Senate Bill 61 that would let some professionals with qualifying out-of-state work experience obtain a temporary two-year license while they complete any remaining state requirements, and it adds a provision extending reciprocity to spouses of law-enforcement officers.

The bill’s sponsor, the senator from Franklin, told colleagues the legislation targets workforce shortages by allowing applicants who can document three years of work experience in an occupation to apply that experience toward a temporary two-year license so they can continue working while finishing any education or testing required for permanent licensure.

The measure requires the applicable oversight body to require applicants under the section to take and pass any profession-specific examination required for full licensure. The substitute also explicitly covers verified military experience and includes language mirroring Senate Bill 283 and House Bill 946 that the sponsor said were governor priorities for easing transitions into public-safety occupations.

Lawmakers said the temporary license would be conditioned on proof of real-world experience — such as wage statements and employment verification, with applicants bearing verification costs — and on passage of any state or board-required tests to protect public health and safety. The sponsor said 10 states have enacted similar policies and noted the substitute had earlier passed the Senate 33–1 in a prior…