Feds remind states about law protecting military spouse job licenses

In the face of “concerning trends,” the Justice Department last month wrote to state occupational licensing authorities, reminding them of their responsibilities under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to make it easier for spouses and service members to transfer occupational licenses when they move to another state. The SCRA provides for service members and their spouses to continue to use professional licenses or certificates in new states when they move because of military orders. It is an update of a 2023 law that allowed such license transfers.

Twenty-eight percent of respondents in a 2024 Defense Department survey of active duty spouses said they had to get a new professional license in such fields as nursing, teaching or realty, after their last PCS move. “Service members and thei