Professional License Portability
In January 2023, Congress added a new provision to the SCRA that allows servicemembers and their spouses to use their professional licenses and certificates when they relocate due to military orders, in certain circumstances.
In December 2024, Congress made significant changes to this portion of the SCRA. Servicemembers and their spouses may still use this provision of the SCRA to use their professional licenses and certificates when they relocate due to military orders, in certain circumstances, but the requirements for qualification have changed. The Department is currently evaluating these changes.
While the Department reviews these changes, eligible servicemembers and spouses who are covered by this new law are likely eligible for military legal assistance and can contact their local legal assistance office for help. Office locations can be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/.
About Professional License Portability Under the SCRA
Military spouses have reported difficulty transferring their professional licenses from one jurisdiction to another, hindering their ability to find jobs when moving due to military orders. The new SCRA provision on license portability helps servicemembers and their spouses use their licenses and certificates in certain circumstances when they relocate due to military orders.
Servicemembers and their spouses are eligible.
Servicemembers and their spouses who are covered by this new law are likely eligible for military legal assistance and can contact their local legal assistance office for help. Office locations can be found at http://legalassistance.law.af.mil/.
If servicemembers or their spouses are not eligible for military legal assistance services, they may request that the Justice Department review their claim by submitting a complaint through https://civilrights.justice.gov/link/4025A.