House Bill 773 Summary

• Requires occupational licensing boards to accept military education, training, and service as qualified credentials for professional licenses and certificates if substantially equivalent to state requirements.

• Establishes a temporary practice permit process for military-trained applicants and active-duty service members, with expedited procedures for those on active duty; permits are valid for 180 days with possible one-time 180-day extension.

• Mandates state institutions of higher learning and community colleges implement policies accepting military education and training credits toward degrees and technical programs upon presentation of evidence of successful completion.

• Applies to 33 occupational licensing boards covering professions including accounting, nursing, pharmacy, real estate, engineering, dental, medical, and construction trades.

• Requires the State Workforce Investment Board to work with higher education boards to develop and implement statewide policy for accepting military education credits toward vocational and technical training programs; effective July 1, 2019.