OH HB196

Eliminates the civil service employee exemption from professional counselor and social worker licensure requirements under Ohio law, requiring these employees to obtain proper licensing or certification.

Grants expedited license renewal to veterans and spouses of service members whose licenses expired due to military service, allowing renewal at regular cost without re-examination if honorably discharged within six months of separation.

Authorizes temporary professional licenses for spouses of active-duty service members assigned to Ohio, valid for six months, if the spouse holds a valid license from another state or foreign jurisdiction.

Requires licensing agencies to consider relevant military education, training, and service toward professional licensure qualifications and to waive licensing fees for veterans discharged within six months.

Adds criminal records check requirements for military spouse temporary license applicants and requires the Office of Collective Bargaining to negotiate with state agencies and unions within 90 days regarding implementation of civil service exemption elimination.