CLEAR

Arkansas: Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee report

The Arkansas Legislative Council's Occupational Licensing Review Subcommittee has submitted recommendations to repeal licensing for sprinkler fitters, people who sell motor vehicles and new recreational vehicles, and lime vendors. They also recommend that the Board of Physical Therapy evaluate its licensing fees, including a comparison of physical therapy licensing fees in surrounding states. The subcommittee plans to review 307 occupational licenses over the next six years.

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Michigan amends definition of "good moral character"

Legislation passed in Michigan amends the definition of "good moral character" within professional and occupational licensure requirements to include only severe crimes that are directly related to the license being sought. Licensing boards will not be able to consider misdemeanor offenses when applying the good moral character requirement.

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New research shows improved public health after licensing laws established

New research by an economist at Montana State University studied maternal and infant mortality rates in the US from 1900 to 1940, the time period when almost half of states mandated licensing requirements for midwives. The analysis revealed a 7-8% decrease in maternal mortality and a decrease in infant mortality following the adoption of licensing requirements for midwives. The research team notes, "Given the levels of health, medical technology and wealth that prevailed in the United States during the time period we study, our results are directly relevant to ongoing policy debates about the merits of licensing and training midwives in developing countries today." The research gives evidence to prove the importance of licensing to public health outcomes.

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Texas: scam targeted at licensees

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has been alerted to an email scam asking recipients to validate their profile information with TDLR. The email appears to come from TDLR and asks recipients to validate their information so that their next license renewal is not delayed. The Department of Information Resources and the TDLR Information Security team are investigating.

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Join a Communities by CLEAR discussion post about scams targeted at licensees

Canada: College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants

The College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act has now come into force and will create a regulatory body for immigration consultants. The college will have stronger authority to investigate unlicensed practice, establish and administer qualification standards and continuing education requirements, and ensure compliance with a code of professional conduct. The current Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council will likely transition into the new college.

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US: Executive Order on Increasing Economic and Geographic Mobility

An Executive Order issued December 14 sets out six principles to guide occupational regulation reform:

1.) Boards should be subject to "active supervision of a designated governmental agency or office;"

2.) Boards should adopt the least restrictive form of occupational regulation;

3.) States should regulatory review and analyze occupational regulations to ensure the least restrictive requirements;

4.) Individuals with criminal records should be able to receive a pre-determination "as to whether the criminal record would preclude their attainment of the appropriate occupational license;"

5.) Reciprocal licenses should be granted upon meeting requirements for good standing, minimum training and examination, lack of prior discipline, and payment of applicable fees; and

6.) Accommodations should be made to allow mobility for military spouses within licensed occupations.

The Order also requires agencies to submit a report within 90 days, then every two years, identifying changes necessary to align with the stated principles.

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Wisconsin-Ohio auctioneer license reciprocity

Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services has entered into a license reciprocity agreement with Ohio for auctioneers. Additionally, Wisconsin auctioneers who obtain a reciprocal Ohio license can then apply for reciprocal licensure in other states with which Ohio has an agreement.

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Recognition of professional qualifications after Brexit

The new issue of the Healthcare Professionals Crossing Borders newsletter provides information about how qualifications obtained in the UK will be treated as third country qualifications by EEA member states after January 1, 2021. They also report on the Medical Council of Ireland's Annual Report showing a record number of complaints in 2019, particularly against doctors on the specialist register. Also featured is the UK General Medical Council's updated decision making and consent guidance.

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Utah: proposed changes to medical marijuana recommendations

A proposed change to Utah's medical marijuana law would allow any doctor to recommend medical marijuana to up to 15 patients. The current law allows doctors to write recommendation letters without going through the qualification process until the end of 2020, but under the current law, in 2021, doctors would have to go undergo additional training and pay a fee to become qualified to recommend medical marijuana. Currently 550 doctors are registered as qualified providers.

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BC: renewed call for counsellor and therapist regulation

The Federation of Associations for Counselling Therapists in British Columbia has submitted a formal application to the Health Minister to regulation the profession. Currently, there is no regulatory body for therapists, and anyone can call themselves a therapist. The Federation is urging for regulation to be established now rather than after the ongoing regulatory system reforms are in place in BC.

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