Licensing for Military Families in Connecticut

In 2011 First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden teamed up on the “Joining Forces” task force, “a nationwide initiative calling all Americans to rally around service members, veterans, and their families and support them through wellness, education, and employment opportunities.” An initiative of Joining Forces that has been in the news throughout the week has to do with professional (and presumably trade) licensing and its effect on military families. As we would expect the families of our men and women serving in the armed forces to travel with them to whatever base they are stationed throughout the country, as a society we can reasonably anticipate this can lead unemployment or underemployment issues as professional and trade licenses and certifications are address with the new state of residence.

Joining Forces is working to lobby different state legislatures and elected officials to consider how to make state licensing simpler and more efficient for family members of those in active military service. To date, Connecticut has not substantially affected how any trade or professional licenses are acquired or re-certified for the ease of military families. It does pose an interesting dilemma for many professions and the State. While everyone (I would expect) is sympathetic to the professional and employment issues that military family members face, the State must also diligently safeguard the professional standards and ensure a level of competency of those who hold licenses or certificates in this state.

At present, I believe the best way of expeditiously obtaining a Connecticut professional or trade license, for any non-resident coming into the State, is to be extremely detail oriented in ensuring that you have all of the necessary training, experience, documentation and any other materials required by the certifying/licensing Board or Commission. The more detail oriented you are with your submission, including where possible and explanation of your circumstances in relocating into Connecticut, the more efficiently the Board or Commission will likely take action on it without needing to send your submission back for more information or documentation. Be sure to thoroughly review the website for the Board of Nursing Examiners, the Board of Medical Examiners, the Department of Consumer Protection, the Bar Examining Committee, or whatever Commission or Board oversees your trade or profession.

Navigating the admission process can be challenging, particularly for individuals coming into Connecticut without knowing much about our state institutions and agencies. Do not hesitate to contact the agency personnel directly with questions or concerns about your license application and the process. Naturally, if the licensure process is proving overly burdensome, or special circumstances surround your being able to be licensed in Connecticut, contact a lawyer to assist you in the process.