September/October 2019

PE Report
PA Governor Signs Occupational Licensure Reciprocity Bill

Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf signed legislation in July that allows all occupational licensing boards to recognize out-of-state license applicants through an “endorsement” process.

The legislation (H.B. 1172) was introduced to provide licensed professionals greater ease in getting licensed in the commonwealth and minimize barriers to employment, particularly for military personnel and their spouses.

Pennsylvania licensing boards and commissions will be able to issue a reciprocal license if the applicant meets the following conditions:

• The applicant must hold a current license or registration in a jurisdiction in which the licensing requirements are substantially similar to Pennsylvania’s;
• The applicant must be in good standing, with no recent disciplinary actions on his or her record;
• The applicant must be able to demonstrate competency in the profession either via continuing education credits or professional experience in at least two of the last five years preceding the date of application; and
• The applicant must pay any fees set by the licensing board.

The legislation also allows, but doesn’t require, licensing boards to issue a provisional license while the applicant is working to meet the requirements.

The legislation is similar to a licensure reciprocity bill signed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey in April: applicants must be in good standing in all states where they are licensed; pay applicable fees; and meet residency, testing, and background-check requirements. The law is a part of Ducey’s focus on deregulation and eliminating what he calls “unnecessary barriers to entering the job market.” Based on reviews and reports, some occupational licenses have faced elimination.

NSPE believes that the licensing of professional engineers is critical to protecting the public health, safety, and welfare and works closely with state societies across the country to combat efforts to undermine the PE license’s value. The practice of engineering is not a right, but a privilege granted only to those with the proper qualifications, NSPE argues, and licensing boards and governing jurisdictions are necessary to regulate the profession.

The Society also recognizes that PEs licensed in multiple states face challenges from the lack of uniform processes to approve comity licenses, education and experience requirements, fee structures, and continuing education requirements. In an effort to remove obstacles, NSPE, state societies, and licensing boards are providing resources and working to ease mobility.