                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

EXPEDITING THE ISSUANCE OF LICENSES, ETC., TO SPOUSES OF MILITARY SERVICE
MEMBERS; ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY LICENSES, ETC (§ 54.1-119)

A. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary and unless an applicant is
found by the board to have engaged in any act that would constitute grounds for
disciplinary action, a regulatory board within the Department of Professional
and Occupational Regulation or the Department of Health Professions or any other
board named in this title shall expedite the issuance of a license, permit,
certificate, or other document, however styled or denominated, required for the
practice of any business, profession, or occupation in the Commonwealth to an
applicant whose application has been deemed complete by the board and (i) who
holds the same or similar license, permit, certificate, or other document
required for the practice of any business, profession, or occupation issued by
another jurisdiction; (ii) whose spouse is (a) on federal active duty orders
pursuant to Title 10 of the United States Code or (b) a veteran, as that term is
defined in &#xA7; 2.2-2000.1, who has left active-duty service within one year
of the submission of an application to a board; and (iii) who accompanies the
applicant&#8217;s spouse to the Commonwealth or an adjoining state or the
District of Columbia, if, in the opinion of the board, the requirements for the
issuance of the license, permit, certificate, or other document in such other
jurisdiction are substantially equivalent to those required in the Commonwealth.
A board may waive any requirement relating to experience if the board determines
that the documentation provided by the applicant supports such a waiver.

B. If a board is unable to (i) complete the review of the documentation provided
by the applicant or (ii) make a final determination regarding substantial
equivalency within 20 days of the receipt of a completed application, the board
shall issue a temporary license, permit, or certificate, provided the applicant
otherwise meets the qualifications set out in subsection A. Any temporary
license, permit, or certification issued pursuant to this subsection shall be
limited for a period not to exceed 12 months and shall authorize the applicant
to engage in the profession or occupation while the board completes its review
of the documentation provided by the applicant or the applicant completes any
specific requirements that may be required in Virginia that were not required in
the jurisdiction in which the applicant holds the license, permit, or
certificate.

C. The provisions of this section shall apply regardless of whether a regulatory
board has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the other jurisdiction
pursuant to subsection B of &#xA7; 54.1-103.

D. Any regulatory board may require the applicant to provide documentation it
deems necessary to make a determination of substantial equivalency.

HISTORY: 2012, c. 604; 2014, c. 602; 2016, c. 33; 2020, cc. 28, 35.