2025 Update: Portability of Professional Licenses
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act allows servicemembers and their spouses to use their existing professional licenses and certificates as they relocate due to military orders. Here is what you need to know.
To qualify, you must have:
- a covered license,
- moved due to military orders (outside the State where your covered license applies), and
- applied for a license in the State where you moved.
If these criteria are met, a covered license shall be considered valid for licensed work in the new State.
An application includes:
- proof of military orders; and
- a notarized affidavit certifying that:
- you are the person applying for license portability;
- statements in the application are true, correct, and complete;
- you read and understand the requirements to receive a license, and the scope of practice permitted;
- you will meet and comply with the requirements to receive a license, and the scope of practice permitted; and
- you are in good standing in all States where you hold or have held a license.
- Military spouses must also submit a copy of their marriage certificate as a part of their application.
A covered license:
- has not been revoked or voluntarily surrendered; and
- is held by a person in good standing with the licensing authority (they do not have a pending investigation or have not had discipline imposed).
The license portability benefits of the SCRA may not apply to a license that allows you to operate in multiple states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Any covered license, certificate, or qualification allowing you to work in a profession is eligible. As of December 23, 2024, this includes a license to practice law.
Any state board, commission, department, or agency that regulates a profession and is authorized to issue licenses is considered a licensing authority.
If you have a covered license and moved due to military orders, you can send the application information listed on the front of this flyer to the licensing authority in your new state with a request that your license be considered valid in the new state. The new licensing authority may perform a background check and, if they need additional time to evaluate your application, issue a temporary license before recognizing your existing license as valid.
A licensing authority may have an agreement to recognize certain licenses issued by other states. These agreements between licensing authorities are known as interstate licensure compacts. If you have an interstate compact license, you are bound by the compact or the laws of the applicable state, and you do not qualify for license portability under the SCRA.
You can check with the licensing authority that granted your license or visit CareerOneStop’s license finder, which has information on state licensing requirements, interstate compacts, and contact information for licensing authorities.
Scope of practice is what you are permitted to do within your profession using your license. The scope of practice for your license may change if you move to a new state due to military orders. Check in with the state licensing authority to make sure you know how this will affect your job.
Need help?
Servicemembers and their spouses who need legal help should contact their local Armed Forces Legal Assistance office. Find your office at legalassistance.law.af.mil.
If you are not eligible for military legal assistance, you can report an issue to the Servicemembers and Veterans Initiative using our complaint portal at civilrights.justice.gov/link/4025A.