WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Mann led a letter with his Kansas colleagues Senators Jerry Moran and Roger Marshall. M.D., and Representatives Ron Estes (KS-04) and Jake LaTurner (KS-02) to Kansas Legislative Leadership applauding their work on improving expanded licensing reciprocity.
"We are pleased to learn the Kansas Legislature is considering an expedited licensure bill during the 2021 Legislative Session," said the Kansas GOP Delegation. "This legislation would grow the economy by attracting new talent to our state, benefit military spouses, and proactively prepare for strategic basing decisions and mission alternatives from the United States Armed Services."
"Kansas has a rich military history and takes pride in supporting servicemembers and their families when they are stationed in Kansas," said Rep. Mann. "I am encouraged that the Kansas Legislature is looking into important legislation that helps military families easily transition into the Kansas economy through licensure reciprocity and expedited license transfer. Every year, approximately 2,000 active duty servicemembers transition to civilian life after their tour at Ft. Riley, and we want to keep our Nation's heroes in Kansas."
“Kansas should take the lead in improving professional licensing reciprocity," said Rep. LaTurner. "This will reduce barriers, lift up workers, and significantly help grow our economy. I fully support the Kansas Legislature’s efforts in implementing this much needed reform.”
“Families of military members often relocate to bases like McConnell Air Force Base in service to our country, leaving behind their jobs," said Rep. Estes. "Expedited professional licensing reciprocity policies will allow service members and their spouses to efficiently find employment in their field of expertise and expand Kansas’ workforce.”
"We support your continued efforts to improve licensing reciprocity," said the Kansas GOP Delegation. "During these extraordinary times, we are grateful for the partnership with the State of Kansas as we work together to improve the lives of military families, boost our economy, and ensure our communities are in the best position to support and grow our critical military installations."
You can view the letter here and below:
March 17, 2021
Kansas Legislative Leadership: The 117th Congress is well underway, and the Kansas Congressional Delegation, like you, is working hard for the people of our great state. We applaud your support of military families and your commitment to improving our state’s ability to strengthen military bases through expanded licensing reciprocity. Kansas has a storied history of strong military missions and unwavering support from the community. Future basing decisions of military installations — specifically McConnell Air Force Base, Fort Riley, and Fort Leavenworth — will be decided, in part, on Kansas policies. Specifically, policies related to the ease of obtaining and transferring occupational licenses across state lines. Our role is to ensure Kansas military installations continue their strong tradition of mission, and receive community support, for generations to come. Improved professional licensure reciprocity will allow Kansas to honor professional licenses in good standing earned in other states when licensees relocate to Kansas. This practice would allow Kansas to follow suit with many other states where servicemembers, and their families, can easily join the community where they are stationed. As you are aware, strong state licensure laws are a priority of the Department of Defense (DoD), U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Space Force. In 2018, the Service Secretaries of the U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and U.S. Air Force emphasized the importance of professional licensure reciprocity in a letter to governors and the importance of high-quality schools near military bases. The letter states military leadership should and will consider these factors when “evaluating future basing or mission alternatives.” On February 24, 2020, the Department of the Air Force issued a media release re-emphasizing it would consider military family support measures in future basing decisions, including new criteria assessing “states’ policies for accepting professional, career licenses.” The U.S. Army also “continues to work, through the Defense State Liaison Office, with state leaders to improve license reciprocity.” Kansas currently has several practices in place to assist servicemembers and spouses with recognition of professional licenses they have earned in other states. However, conversations with military and veteran leaders, including conversations with the Governor’s Military Council, revealed current practices are not as effective as they could be in helping military families gain employment in their field of expertise. Kansas may be falling behind other states in licensing reciprocity. In response to DoD’s emphasis on reciprocity, in 2019, Arizona became the first state to recognize licenses from other states military and civilians, and more states have since followed suit—including neighboring states such as Missouri and Iowa. A report produced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and DoD, stated reciprocity statutes based upon a “substantially equivalent” standard are particularly problematic for military families and will not be viewed as favorably. “To effectively evaluate whether an applicant’s license is ‘substantially equivalent’ a board generally evaluates the coursework, test scores, and applicable practicum hours of the applicant, along with previously held licenses and work experience. This perpetuates the delays experienced by military spouses.” In addition to helping military families, licensing reciprocity is a job creation tool that attracts future Kansans and incentivizes relocation. Additionally, the Kauffman Foundation stated, “occupational licensing requirements can be a hurdle to upward economic mobility. Research shows lower rates of entrepreneurship in states that license more low-income occupations.” Moreover, “differences in state licensing requirements can make it difficult for entrepreneurs and workers to find opportunities and jobs, creating stale labor markets and underemployment.” We are pleased to learn the Kansas Legislature is considering an expedited licensure bill during the 2021 Legislative Session. This legislation would grow the economy by attracting new talent to our state, benefit military spouses, and proactively prepare for strategic basing decisions and mission alternatives from the United States Armed Services. We are particularly encouraged you have chosen to include a “scope of practice” standard rather than a “substantially equivalent” standard that created the issues highlighted in the DoD and DHS report. In closing, we support your continued efforts to improve licensing reciprocity. During these extraordinary times, we are grateful for the partnership with the State of Kansas as we work together to improve the lives of military families, boost our economy, and ensure our communities are in the best position to support and grow our critical military installations. Please do not hesitate to reach out to our offices if we can further assist in this endeavor. ### | 