SB 23: Improving Occupational Licensure Portability

This bill passed the senate with a vote of 26-0, and passed the house with a vote of 69-0.

Two years ago, the Utah Legislature passed legislation that required the Department of Occupational and Professional Licensure (DOPL) to recognize and provide a Utah license to anyone who was licensed in another state with similar or higher standards. This was to be allowed for people moving to Utah who had at least one year of experience, thus avoiding having to attend school and take an exam.

Senator Curt Bramble is proposing to improve this law by simply requiring a person to have a license in good standing in another state to receive a Utah license. Senate Bill 23 improves licensure portability and makes it easier for people to come and work in their desired profession in Utah.

Currently SB 23 has a provision in the 1st substitute that allows DOPL to reject an application based on reasonable cause. If this provision was to be removed or strictly limited, it would vastly improve the legislation.