HB5608 - Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses Act

• Requires Illinois licensing boards to issue occupational licenses or government certifications to applicants holding current valid licenses from other states if the applicant has held the license for at least one year, meets education/training standards, is in good standing, and has no disqualifying criminal record or history of revocation for negligence or misconduct.

• Allows boards to issue licenses based on work experience in states without occupational licensing if the applicant worked in a similar occupation for at least 3 years and meets criminal history and conduct standards.

• Permits boards to require a jurisprudential examination on state-specific laws regulating the occupation and limits application fees to a maximum of $100 per application.

• Requires boards to issue written decisions on applications within 30 days and allows applicants to appeal board denials or determinations to court.

• Excludes occupations regulated by the Illinois Supreme Court from the Act's requirements and clarifies that licenses issued under this Act are valid only in Illinois unless otherwise provided in interstate compacts or reciprocity agreements.