Increase Occupational Credential Portability

Current law authorizes a regulator of a profession or occupation to approve an application for licensure, certification, registration, or enrollment by endorsement, reciprocity, or transfer through the occupational credential portability program (program). The act amends the program by:

• Adding licensure, certification, registration, or enrollment in good standing through the federal government to the types of occupational credentials that qualify a person for a credential through the program;
• Adding a military occupational specialty to the types of occupational credentials that qualify a person for a credential through the program;
• If submitting proof of a credential from another jurisdiction as the basis for application under the program, requiring the applicant to have held the license, certification, registration, or enrollment, for at least one year, under a jurisdiction with a scope of practice that is substantially similar to the scope of practice of the profession or occupation required by Colorado law;
• Removing the prohibition on approving licensure, certification, registration, or enrollment if such approval would violate an existing compact or reciprocity agreement;
• Adding a requirement that an applicant for licensure, certification, registration, or enrollment have substantially equivalent education as required by Colorado law; and
• Exempting engineers, surveyors, and architects from the program.
  (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)