House Bill 208 Summary

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

• Allows applicants with military training to obtain temporary licenses or certificates valid for 180 days (extendable for another 180 days) if they held an active license in another state or received military credentials meeting equivalent standards.

• Mandates expedited licensing procedures for applicants currently on active duty and requires boards to adopt implementing regulations.

• Requires the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning and Mississippi Community College Board to implement policies accepting military education and training credits toward degrees and technical programs.

• Directs the State Workforce Investment Board to coordinate with higher education boards to develop a statewide policy for accepting military education, training, and service credits; effective July 1, 2020.