HB560 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Wes KitchensSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

Professional licenses, remove all exemptions from automatic provisions for, except the exemption for certifications issued by the Alabama Peace Officers' Standards and Training Commission, Sec. 31-1-6 am'd.

Summary

The bill would end automatic licensing for military spouses in most professional fields, requiring them to meet Alabama licensing rules instead (with exceptions preserved for certain categories).

What This Bill Does

It changes how military spouses can get licensed when they move to Alabama by removing automatic licensure for many professions. Boards must create rules to allow licensure when the spouse’s out-of-state requirements are substantially similar, and may issue temporary permits and expedite processing while the Alabama license is obtained. It also allows reciprocity with other states and waives initial licensing fees for eligible individuals, while preserving certain exemptions for specific categories such as law, securities licenses, POSTC certifications, and licenses regulated by certain boards.

Who It Affects

• Military spouses relocating to Alabama who would previously have received an automatic license for many professions; under this bill they must meet Alabama requirements or use expedited/reciprocity pathways.
• Professional licensing boards and agencies (e.g., Pharmacy Board, Dental Examiners, Chiropractors Examiners, LPG Board, Medical Examiners, Securities Commission) that issue licenses; they must adopt new rules, determine eligibility, and manage expedited licensure, temporary permits, and fee waivers under the new framework.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 31-1-6 to remove automatic licensure exemptions for military spouses for most professional licenses and certificates, while keeping exemptions for practice of law, regulation of attorneys, licenses issued by the Securities Commission, certain POSTC certifications, and practice regulated by specific boards as noted.
• Requires boards, agencies, and commissions issuing professional licenses to promulgate rules implementing the issuance of licenses to eligible spouses when out-of-state requirements are substantially equivalent, and to provide a temporary permit (at least 180 days) while Alabama requirements are completed.
• Allows boards to establish reciprocity with other states for military spouse licensing and certification.
• Provides for fee waivers of initial licensing fees for eligible individuals, with processing of the waiver within 30 days of application.
• Defines eligible individuals as spouses of active duty, reserve, or transitioning service members (and surviving spouses) relocated to Alabama under official orders, including those within 24 months of the service member’s retirement.
• Remains ineffective for the practice of law, regulation of attorneys, licenses from the Securities Commission, POSTC certifications, and licenses regulated by the specified boards; these exemptions are preserved as exceptions to the removal.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Licenses and Licensing