Governor Mike Parson signed HB 2046 on Monday, July 6, expanding license reciprocity provisions in the state of Missouri.
Currently in Missouri, license reciprocity is only allowed if the license held is from a state with substantially similar or greater requirements for licensure. HB 2046 changes this requirement to a minimum educational standard. The legislation also removes exemptions for health care professions, engineers, land surveyors, and other professions that currently have separate license reciprocity standards.
Additionally, HB 2046 removes the requirement that only Missouri residents are eligible for license reciprocity. Specifically, the bill expands reciprocity to any individual holding a current, valid license who has been licensed for at least one year at the same practice level as Missouri in any profession regulated by a state board, department, or office of a jurisdiction.
On top of these provisions, HB 2046 establishes the Fresh Start Act and Expanded Workforce Act. The Fresh Start Act bans occupational licensing boards from denying individuals a license strictly due to their criminal history, unless the individual has committed a crime directly related to the occupation or a crime that is violent or sexual in nature.
The Expanded Workforce Act creates a pathway to occupational licensure through apprenticeship for any occupational license regulated by the Missouri Department of Commerce and Insurance.
To view HB 2046, click here.