HB 226: Competency-Based Licensure

This bill passed the House 54-13 and the Senate unanimously. 

Occupational licensure laws restrict a person’s ability to work in their chosen occupation. These laws typically require a certain number of hours of education or experience, and an exam and a fee, in order to receive permission to work. We have suggested the need to rethink this approach.

Representative Norm Thurston is sponsoring House Bill 226 in order to modify this process such that somebody who can demonstrate through knowledge and skill that the person can perform the relevant tasks in their chosen occupation or profession has an option to shortcut the licensure processed.

Regulators are given the option under this bill to allow applicants the option to demonstrate competency as an alternative to a time-based licensing requirement.

This is an important alternative path to create in order to ensure that licensure barriers do not unreasonably restrict a person’s ability to work in their chosen field.