Committee Hears Bill Letting Licensing Boards Count Experience Instead of High School Diploma

The Senate Committee on Labor and Business opened a public hearing Feb. 11 on Senate Bill 13, a proposal from Sen. Kim Thatcher that would require professional licensing boards, where a high school diploma is currently required for licensure, to consider an applicant’s relevant work experience in lieu of that diploma.

Committee members and the bill’s sponsor said the measure is intended to reduce barriers to employment for people who have relevant experience but lack a formal high school credential.

Sen. Kim Thatcher, sponsor of the bill, told the committee the measure is “very low-hanging fruit” to “begin to unwind some of the barriers that are in place that allow people to work.” Thatcher cited past state action to deregulate hair-braiding as an example of removing unnecessary licensing burdens: “This is an effort to just continue the conversation of deregulating people's work, where it is not necessary for health and safety reasons.”

The committee asked for examples of occupations that might be affected; Thatcher said she did not have a definitive list and noted many Oregon occupations have licensure requirements that include a high school diploma. Chair Taylor and Vice Chair Bonham took no position at the hearing and the committee received no formal amendments.

The bill summary supplied at the hearing noted the measure “requires that a professional licensing board that regulates an occupation or professional service that requires up to a high school diploma or equivalent for licensure ... consider an applicant's relevant experience in lieu of the required education.” The summary also states the bill “becomes operative on 01/01/2026,” and includes language about effectiveness following adjournment; the transcript’s wording about the exact post-adjournment timing was unclear and will need clarification before final drafting.

No public testimony in favor or opposition was heard during the limited first hearing beyond the sponsor’s remarks and committee questions. Chair Taylor closed the public hearing without a committee vote and scheduled no immediate work session on the measure.

The committee noted the measure is narrow in scope and that Thatcher and others may consider amendments to broaden or refine the language to cover additional credentials or apprenticeship pathways.

Senate Bill 13 remains at the public hearing stage; committee staff did not record a recommendation or vote at this session.