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2018 SESSION

18100132D
HOUSE BILL NO. 533
Offered January 10, 2018
Prefiled January 8, 2018
A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 2.2-2001.2 and 54.1-118 of the Code of Virginia, relating to professions and occupations; qualifications for licensure; acceptance of substantially equivalent military training, education, and experience.
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Patrons-- Freitas, Aird, Bell, John J. and Cole; Senator: Cosgrove
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Referred to Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions
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Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That §§ 2.2-2001.2 and 54.1-118 of the Code of Virginia are amended and reenacted as follows:

§ 2.2-2001.2. Initiatives to reduce unemployment among veterans.

A. The Department shall develop a comprehensive program to reduce unemployment among veterans by assisting businesses to attract, hire, train, and retain veterans. Such program shall promote strategies for connecting employers to qualified veterans and include (i) a workforce assessment and training program for participating employers and (ii) a certification process for participating employers with the objective of setting measurable goals for hiring and retaining veterans.

B. All agencies in the executive branch of state government and all public institutions of higher education shall, to the maximum extent possible, be certified in accordance with this section. Such agencies and institutions may request a certification waiver from the Governor if they can demonstrate that (i) the certification is in conflict with the organization's operating directives or (ii) they have in place an alternative program that meets the requirements of this section.

C. The Department shall take steps to promote awareness among veterans of the acceptance by the regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in Title 54.1 pursuant to § 54.1-118 of the military training, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from active military service in the Armed Forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth.

§ 54.1-118. Qualifications for licensure, etc; substantially equivalent military training and education.

A. Except as provided in this section, the The regulatory boards within the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation, the Department of Health Professions, or any board named in this title shall accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, to the extent that such training, education, or experience is substantially equivalent to the requirements established by law and regulations of the respective board for the issuance of any license, permit, certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth. To the extent that the service member's military training, education, or experience, or portion thereof, is not deemed substantially equivalent, the respective board shall credit whatever portion of the military training, education, or experience that is substantially equivalent toward meeting the requirements for the issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the Board of Medicine in the regulation of the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine. Nor shall this subsection apply to the Board of Dentistry in the regulation of dentists or oral and maxillofacial surgeons.

B. The Board of Medicine may accept a service member's military training, education, or experience as an intern or resident in an approved facility to satisfy the requirement of one year of satisfactory postgraduate training as an intern or resident in a hospital or health care facility, provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) is a graduate of a Board-approved institution, (iii) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure, and (iv) applies for licensure within six months of discharge from active military service.

C. The Board of Dentistry may accept the military training, education, or experience of a service member provided the applicant for licensure (i) has been honorably discharged from active military service in the armed forces of the United States, (ii) has been in continuous clinical practice for four of the six years immediately preceding the application for licensure, (iii) holds a diploma or certificate of a dental program accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of the American Dental Association, and (iv) has successfully completed all required examinations for licensure. Active patient care in the Dental Corps of the United States armed forces, voluntary practice in a public health clinic, or practice in an intern or residency program may be accepted by the Board to satisfy requirements for licensure.

D. B. Any regulatory board may require the service member to provide such documentation of his training, education, or experience as deemed necessary by the board to determine substantial equivalency.

E. C. As used in this section, "active military service" means federally funded military duty as (i) a member of the armed forces Armed Forces of the United States on active duty pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (ii) a member of the Virginia National Guard on active duty pursuant to either Title 10 or Title 32 of the United States Code.