Military Spouses Can Now be Reimbursed Licensure Fees

The U.S. Navy recently became the final service branch to introduce a program to reimburse military spouses up to $500 to cover re-licensure costs associated with moving to a new duty station. Now spouses of military members in all branches may be eligible for the reimbursement. The program is even retroactive all the way back to 2017.

The program is a response to a pilot program introduced in Congress’ Defense Authorization Act of 2018. The pilot program will continue through the end of 2022.

To be eligible, spouses must continue working in the same profession as the previous state, and submit qualifying costs receipts, along with copies of their previous certifications, copies of the new recertification documents, and a copy of the permanent change of duty station orders within 24 months from when the orders were received.

While the 2020 version of the bill has a provision to increase the reimbursement up to $1,000 and extend the program to 2024, critics would like the see the program instated immediately and permanently.

Since 2012, Nevada has provided licensure reciprocity, allowing military spouses recently moved to Nevada to obtain expedited licensure in a number of fields “As long as the requirements” of the state the spouse is coming from are “substantially equivalent” to Nevada’s requirements. This new program would help offset the costs associated with that re-licensing for those spouses.

Sources:

https://federalnewsnetwork.com/dod-personnel-notebook/2019/07/all-military-spouses-now-eligible-for-occupational-license-reimbursement/