Regulations passed in January 2021 require midwives seeking to be registered in the Yukon to spend a year working in another publicly-funded health system in Canada. The Professional Association of Yukon Midwives has indicated that there are no midwives eligible to be employed in the Yukon at this time.
November 23, 2021
Podcast about lawyer diploma privilege
[Un]Common Law has released a series of podcast episodes about the Bar Exam in the United States. The current episode explores the arguments for and against diploma privilege, admitting new attorneys to the state bar upon graduation from an ABA-accredited law school without requiring passing of a bar exam. Wisconsin is the only state that is currently continuing the practice, which was put in place in several states when the Bar Exam was suspended due to the pandemic.
November 18, 2021
Idaho: bill regarding vaccination status and occupational licenses
A bill under consideration in Idaho would protect licensure applicants and licensees from discrimination due to their vaccination status. Licensing agencies would be prohibited from denying a license "on the basis of whether the applicant has or has not received a specific vaccination, or a series of vaccinations." Licensing agencies would not be allowed to require proof of vaccination or take disciplinary action based on vaccination status.
Update: South Dakota Appraiser Certification Program subpoenaed
South Dakota's Government Operations and Audit Committee has voted to issue a subpoena to the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation for any documents in relation to the governor's daughter's application for her real-estate appraisal certification. The Professional Appraisers Association of South Dakota has spoken in support of allowing the legislature and the public to know the facts involved. Concern has been raised that if the South Dakota Appraisers Certification Program is found not to be in compliance with federal requirements, all appraiser credentials in South Dakota could be declared invalid.
November 10, 2021
Vermont: data on Fast-Track Endorsement process
The Vermont Office of Professional Regulation launched a Fast-Track Endorsement process in April 2021 to allow expedited licensure for candidates with an active license in good standing and a minimum of three years practice in another US jurisdiction. Since the launch, over 850 licenses in 40 different professions and occupations have been issued by fast-track endorsement.
November 03, 2021
UK: system for recognition of overseas professional qualifications to be revoked
An amendment to the Professional Qualifications Bill will revoke the EU-law-based system for recognizing overseas professional qualifications and instead grant UK regulators the autonomy to "assess qualifications and to pursue arrangements in other countries in the interests of their professions."
October 20, 2021
California signs law for military license reciprocity
A new law signed in California to go into effect July 1, 2023 will allow veterans and military spouses moving to California with an occupational license in good standing in another state to receive expedited temporary authorization to practice for up to one year while they work towards meeting California specific requirements. All professions and occupations licensed by the Department of Consumer Affairs will be included in the new law.
October 14, 2021
Pakistan: doctors protest National Licensing Exam
The Young Doctors Association in Pakistan have protested the Pakistan Medical Commission's decision to make the National Licensing Exam mandatory. Those against the exam requirement claim that it is a duplication of the exams at the end of every year of the five-year MBBS degree program and also note that the new national exam would be developed by the same professors who develop those yearly exams.
October 07, 2021
Maine: license denial case appealed to Supreme Court
An individual whose application for licensure as a private investigator in Maine was denied on grounds of not having good moral character has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court of the United States. The Maine Department of Public Safety denied the license due to factual inaccuracies in a social media post by the applicant criticizing a police shooting. The posts identified the individual as a private investigator in Massachusetts; the Maine agency claimed that the inaccurate statements violate standards of conduct for a private investigator, such as accurate communication of facts.
September 29, 2021
Indiana considers letting school districts license teachers
Indiana's Interim Study Committee on Education has recommended that the Indiana Department of Education consider giving school districts the authority to license teachers. Such teachers could be licensed via alternative pathways such as a career specialist permit or alternative training programs and an exam. A lobbyist for the Indiana State Teachers Association indicated that factors such as pay and benefits, working conditions, and professional respect are likely more of a factor contributing to the teacher shortage than is the licensing process itself.
