CLEAR

Nevada law on licensure and immigration status

A new law in Nevada prohibits state licensing boards from denying a professional license to someone because of their immigration status. Another law establishes the Office of New Americans as a resource to aid immigrants in navigating government services.

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Tennessee proposes bill to regulate art therapy

A bill under consideration in Tennessee would establish an advisory committee to regulate art therapists. Requirements for licensure would include a master's degree in art therapy and 1,000 hours of clinical training.

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Article highlights initiatives to reduce licensing barriers for people with criminal record

In an effort to reduce recidivism of convicted felons, several states are looking into programs to help individuals transition back into occupations after release. In Utah and Pennsylvania, people's criminal records are automatically erased after a certain number of years. The Michigan Department of Corrections and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs have partnered for a program called Vocational Village, which trains inmates in a skilled trade and allows them to get a license while incarcerated. With that program, about 95% of participants have secured employment before leaving prison.

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Arizona universal licensing recognition law presented at White House

Arizona Governor Doug Ducey spoke about Arizona's new universal licensing recognition law at a recent meeting about workforce mobility at the White House. The law allows applicants who have held a license for at least one year in another state and are currently in good standing to become licensed in Arizona. Other governors attending the meeting were encouraged to consider similar legislation in their states.

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UK report calls on NMC to consider advanced practice regulation

In response to an evaluation report, the UK's Nursing and Midwifery Council will explore the role it could play in the regulation of advanced practice. Currently, there is little regulatory oversight or title protection concerning advanced practitioners. The NMC has committed to "explore what it is people think professional regulation should be doing" and will report back to the International Council of Nurses by the end of 2019. The ICN has urged standardized advanced practice training across the UK.

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Poll shows lack of public awareness about professional discipline

An online survey conducted by the Federation of State Medical Boards indicates that only 27% of the 2000 US adult respondents know how to find out if their healthcare provider has been disciplined for misconduct. 51% of respondents did not know that state medical boards were responsible for licensing and regulating doctors. While 20% of respondents indicated that they had had an experience where their healthcare provider was acting unprofessionally, only 33% of those had filed a complaint.

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Colorado governor vetoes regulation of new professions

Colorado's governor has vetoes new legislation to regulate homeowner association managers, genetic counselors, and sports agents. In his vetoes, he argued that certification of occupational skills "is best done by guilds, unions and professional associations" rather than the state and that state licensing is only appropriate in "cases that are compelling for consumer safety and economic reasons." He argues that licensing prevents minorities and economically disadvantaged populations from gaining access to occupations and creates a limited supply of professionals, which increases costs of services.

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Florida decreases licensing fees for real estate professionals

The Department of Business and Professional Regulation has announced a temporary two-year reduction in the biennial license renewal fee for real estate professionals. Renewal fees for real estate brokers, real estate sales associates, and real estate broker branch offices will be reduced by 50%. The fee reduction is projected to save real estate professionals over $8.8 million. The Florida Real Estate Commission is authorized to implement a temporary fee reduction only if the profession's trust fund balance is in excess of necessary operating funds. The fee reduction is part of Governor DeSantis's larger Deregathon efforts.

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New Cato Institute poll gives figures on occupational barriers

A new YouGov poll conducted for the Cato Institute indicates that 77% of Americans regard the War on Poverty as ineffective, and barriers to employment are a factor. 76% of welfare recipients indicated that increased economic growth would be more effective at reducing poverty than increased welfare spending, but 45% indicated that "the lack of an occupational license or similar credentials prevented them or someone they know from getting a job."

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Illinois investigates stem cell clinics

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Attorney General's office are investigating complaints against stem cell clinics, with the possibility of disciplinary action for practitioners making unsupported claims, using unqualified staff, or overcharging patients. Several media reports have detailed failed procedures, overstatement of success rates, and failure to properly notify patients of risks.

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