Bill Summaries: S545 (2021)

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  • Summary date: Apr 5 2021 - View summary

    Enacts new GS 93B-15.2 to require an occupational licensing board or a State agency licensing board to issue a license, certification, or registration to any applicant who establishes residence in this state, and satisfies all of stated nine conditions, including: (1) the applicant is currently licensed, certified, or registered in at least one other jurisdiction in the discipline applied for in this state at the same or substantially equivalent practice level; (2) the applicant has been licensed, certified, or registered by another jurisdiction for at least one year; (3) the applicant is in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the applicant holds a license, certification, or registration; and (4) the applicant does not have any active or pending disciplinary actions from an occupational licensing board or agency in another jurisdiction, and, if applicable, the occupational licensing board or State agency has completed verification. Sets out actions the occupational licensing board must take when an applicant has any prior disciplinary actions from an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board at the time of application. Requires online publication of criteria or requirements for licensing, certification, or registration of the required documentation. Specifies that the statute does not prevent any occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this state from entering into a reciprocity agreement with another jurisdiction, or invalidate any existing reciprocity agreement. Provides that a license, certification, or registration granted by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board under this statute is valid only in this state and does not extend validity to other jurisdictions. Provides that any individual licensed, certified, or registered under this statute is entitled to the same rights and subject to the same obligations as individuals licensed, certified, or registered by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this state under any other provision of law. States that nothing in the statute prohibits an individual from proceeding under the existing licensure, certification, or registration requirements established by an occupational licensing board or State agency licensing board in this state.

    Requires occupational licensing boards and State agency licensing boards to report annually to the specified entities, beginning October 31, 2022, on the number of individuals who: applied for licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with this act; received licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with this act; and were denied licensure, certification, or registration in accordance with this act. 

    Applies to applications for licensure, certification, or registration received on or after October 1, 2021.