Occupational Licensing Under Review to Make Employment Easier for Military Spouses

By Fred Wagar, NDVS Deputy Director of Programs and Services
Increasing employment opportunities for Nevada’s veterans, service members and spouses remain a focus of the Nevada Department of Veterans Service (NDVS).

Recently, NDVS participated in a meeting of the Occupational Licensing Policy and Practice Learning Consortium. This group is reviewing state policies surrounding occupational licenses to determine whether there are barriers and how to address them for military spouses and veterans entering the workforce. The group is reviewing policy options, sharing experiences, and considering next steps in this review.

A presentation was provided by the Southwest Regional Liaison for Department of Defense (DOD), Kelli Douglas, active duty military spouse Meredith Smith and NDVS Deputy Director, Programs and Services Fred Wagar. Ms. Douglas spoke about Military spouse licensing and employment and its economic importance.  DOD supports programs that improve the career attainability, portability and sustainability for military spouses which benefits the entire community.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics* 27% of Nevada’s total workforce requires licensure or certification. Additionally, 19% of Nevada’s military spouses who requiring licensure/certification are in healthcare and 10% are in the education field.

The 2018 National Defense Authorization Act allows each service branch to reimburse spouses up to $500 for re-licensure and certification costs resulting from relocations or PCS moves that cross U.S. state lines.  Each branch has specifics on eligibility and criteria.  To learn more, follow this link.

https://www.militaryonesource.mil/education-employment/for-spouses/education-training-licensing/transferring-your-professional-license-what-s-involved

Active duty military spouse Meredith Smith shared the experiences of military spouses outlining and identifying the underleveraged talent pool. The statistics she shared are eye-opening. The unemployment rate for military spouses is between 16 – 24% nationally and they earn on average 26.8% less than their non-military peers. More than half, 51% earned less than $20,000/year even though 40% have college degrees which is10% higher than their civilian counterparts.

NDVS Deputy Director Programs and Services Fred Wagar reviewed the 2017 and 2019 state legislative bills enacted to assist in improving the livelihood of veterans, separating service members as well as their spouses.

Wagar discussed SB100. It requires expedited processing of teaching license applications for military spouses and requires school districts to consider the Joint Services Transcript, or a similar document of a veteran, to satisfy the qualifications for certain positions of employment.

It was noted NDVS is also working with Dr. George Ann Rice in her efforts to promote Troops to Education (TTE).  Possible assistance is being considered to identify laws passed or planned by states to reduce or eliminate barriers for veteran employment that may be addressed by Nevada lawmakers as well as identifying reciprocity policies or regulations that may be implemented.

At the Consortium meeting, Deputy Director Wagar also ensured attendees were aware of the Patriot Employer Program.  This program provides businesses with education and support to help hire and retain veterans as well as the tax credits available and other benefits of hiring the men and women who have served our country. To become a Patriot Employer, the human resources representative for a business simply completes an on-line course available through the NDVS website.  Upon completion, the business will receive a certificate signed by the Governor as well as a window decal indicating they are a Patriot Employer, which they can proudly display. More information on the Patriot Employer Program can be found at https://veterans.nv.gov/employers/patriot-employer-program/

NDVS is encouraged by the efforts of so many who are working to assist veterans, service members and spouses in obtaining employment throughout Nevada.

Further information on veteran employment can be found at: https://veterans.nv.gov/employment/

*Dept. of Labor, Economic News Release, Table1, December 21, 2018