Bill would halt unnecessary licensing roadblocks for Georgia’s military spouses

This op-ed originally appeared in the Savannah Morning News on February 28, 2024.

Military spouses know they are signing up for a tough journey when they get married to a service member. Frequent moves and monthslong deployments come with the territory.

But military spouses often face particularly unnecessary challenges as they pursue their careers — especially if their profession requires a state-issued occupational license. Teachers, engineers, nurses, cosmetologists, real estate agents, accountants, and many more careers require workers to complete training, pass exams, and pay annual fees to join these professions, and many of these licenses do not carry over from state to state.

This is one issue that Georgia can rectify. While some states have created expedited processes or other less bureaucratic hurdles for licensing reciprocity, legislation introduced in Georgia this year, HB 880, changes the game. This bill would make it easier for military spouses to work the jobs they love and provide for their families. Georgia legislators should pass this bill and make this state the best in the country for military spouses to work.

Read the full op-ed in the Savannah Morning News.