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DENVER, CO - The House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Committee today passed legislation to extend the Occupational Credential Portability Program to dependents and Gold Star spouses of military members. The bill unanimously passed by a vote of 11-0.
“The Occupational Credential Portability Program has supported many military families' transition when they make the move to Colorado by streamlining the licensure process for skilled job seekers,” said Rep. Mike Weissman, D-Aurora. “Our legislation expands the program to include the kids and spouses of military members, boosting our workforces and making it easier for military families to build their careers in Colorado.”
HB24-1097, also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, allows dependents and Gold Star spouses of US Armed Forces members to participate in the Occupational Credential Portability Program. It also changes the Occupational Credential Portability Program by:
Eliminating the temporary nature of the licensing program,
Requiring that regulators, when reviewing an application, focus on whether an applicant has a license in good standing and not whether the applicant has committed an act that would be subject to discipline in Colorado if that act is not prohibited in the home state, and
Increases the validity of licenses from 3 to 6 years and makes them renewable.
The Occupational Credential Portability Program was created by bipartisan 2020 legislation to streamline and centralize the credentialing of individuals licensed in another state. The law applies to professions ranging from doctors and veterinarians to electricians and barbers.