House Bill 770 Summary

• Requires licensing boards to consider Certificates of Relief favorably when determining whether criminal convictions should result in disqualification from licensure.

• Prohibits boards from automatically denying licensure based on criminal history and restricts denials to convictions directly related to job duties or for violent/sexual crimes, eliminating "moral turpitude" as grounds for denial.

• Requires boards to consider eight specific factors before denying licensure due to criminal conviction, including crime severity, timing, age at offense, rehabilitation efforts, and completion of drug/alcohol treatment.

• Establishes predetermination process allowing individuals with criminal histories to petition boards before completing education requirements to learn if their record will likely disqualify them, with boards required to respond within 45 days for a $45 fee.

• Creates new requirement that occupational licensing boards recognize and grant licenses to applicants completing approved apprenticeships or career technical education, with examination and passing score requirements not exceeding those for standard licensing processes.