Workforce growth agenda clears Wisconsin Senate
The Wisconsin State Senate passed legislation that will enhance apprenticeship learning and streamline professional licensing as part of the effort to eliminate barriers faced by skilled workers and grow the state’s workforce.
The Workforce Growth Agenda, authored by State Sen. André Jacque (R-De Pere), includes the Reciprocal Credentials for Workforce Growth Act, which will establish reciprocal licensing to make it easier for skilled workers licensed in other states to get to work faster in Wisconsin, as well as the Tools of the Trade Apprenticeship Grant Program, which takes aim at financial barriers to entering skilled trades by providing each eligible student with $1,500 to assist in paying for materials and expenses associated with apprenticeship training.
The legislation will now move to the State Assembly and must be signed by the Governor to become law. Read more on WisPolitics.com.
Update: Implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact in Washington
The Washington State Board of Nursing issued an update on the implementation of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) that includes new developments on the application process for multistate licenses, associated fees, and more.
Implementation is unfolding in two phases. During Phase 1, beginning July 24, nurses with an active RN or LPN multistate license (MSL) from another state were allowed to practice in Washington state. Phase 2, which is currently ongoing, will allow the board to offer and issue Washington multistate licenses to nurses.
Phase 2 requires the board to establish rules for the Washington state RN and LPN multistate license fees, develop the application process, and build the new credential into the licensing system. The board voted on initial and renewal fees for the new licenses at a business meeting on September 7. If approved through the rulemaking process, the total fees for the initial multistate license would be $203 for RNs and $158 for LPNs, with an annual renewal fee of $20 for both RN and LPN multistate licensure (in addition to the established renewal fee for each license).
The board anticipates being able to offer and issue multistate licenses beginning in early 2024.
NCARB to explore ‘multiple pathways to practice’ frameworks
The National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) outlined a commitment to offering multiple pathways to architectural licensure beyond the conventional route of obtaining an accredited education, such as community college education or professional experience replacing formal education.
While most architects acquire their licenses through degree programs endorsed by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), 15% — more than 18,000 architects — pursued other routes. In recognition of this, NCARB is working to promote diverse pathways to licensure through various measures, including a proposal to assess the viability of a four-year degree from an NAAB-accredited program as an alternative to the conventional five-year program. The organization is also launching an initiative to recognize the merit of two-year associate degrees and non-degree education from community colleges, as well as establishing two task forces on the issue and considering an evolved licensure toolkit.
NCARB’s position was informed by a recent analysis in its annual NCARB by the Numbers report, which highlighted the lengthy time commitment required to become an architect (more than 13 years from starting college to licensure) and also called attention to equity and accessibility issues concerning the Architect Registration Examination. Read more in Archinect News.
Colorado eyes professional licensing requirements for funeral services
Several lawmakers are hopeful that changes could be on the horizon for oversight of Colorado’s funeral service professionals as the state’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) prepares to conduct a sunset review of the industry in 2024 and issue recommendations on whether or not funeral home directors and employees should be regulated.
Funeral homes and crematoriums are regulated by the Office of Funeral Home and Crematory Registration, a division of DORA, which investigates complaints and issues disciplinary actions against businesses that violate the state’s Mortuary Science Code. However, under current state law there are no professional standards to work in these facilities. Colorado is the only state that does not require its funeral home and crematorium employees to receive any kind of professional training or education. In lieu of licensing, the Colorado Funeral Directors Association offers credentialing.
Calls for more oversight have been ongoing for years, but received new urgency earlier this month after the discovery of at least 115 improperly stored bodies at the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, which was operating with an expired license. Sen. Dylan Roberts (D-Eagle) said that depending on DORA’s recommendations, he hopes to bring forward legislation in the 2024 session that will regulate funeral service professionals, noting that the Funeral Directors Association is fully supportive of licensure. Read more in Colorado Politics.
Washington State becomes latest jurisdiction to weigh bar exam alternative
The Washington Supreme Court recently heard a proposal for an alternative licensing program that would give law school graduates several options for admission without taking the bar exam.
One option is a new apprenticeship program for law school graduates who would work under the supervision of an experienced lawyer for six months then submit a portfolio of work for evaluation. Another option would allow law students to complete 12 credits of skills coursework and 500 hours of hands-on legal work before graduation, then submit a work portfolio and become licensed.
According to the Washington Bar Licensure Task Force, which the state’s high court formed in 2020, the proposed new pathways are intended to address the racial disparities in bar exam pass rates and increase the number of lawyers helping clients in Washington’s underserved communities. The new pathways would also eliminate the cost of bar exam prep and enable law graduates to work and earn money immediately after graduation.
The Washington Supreme Court did not take formal action on the proposal, but the task force is seeking public input on the idea. Read more from Reuters.
More news:
- The National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO) recognized the achievements of Adam Ford, Chief Information Security Officer at the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), with the 2023 Thomas M. Jarrett State Cybersecurity Leadership Award at their annual conference. Ford has been CISO since 2019 and has played a pivotal role in promoting cybersecurity, advancing the state’s cybersecurity agenda, and implementing best practices.
Also noteworthy:
Interesting opinion, commentary, and analysis from the web:
- Interstate compacts are painless way we can improve healthcare access (Hawaii Reporter)
- Introduction to artificial intelligence (AI) in state government (National Governors Association)
- States wrestle with AI-driven future (Route Fifty)
Disclaimer: The thoughts, opinions, and commentary of the articles we share links to in Week in Brief do not necessarily reflect those of Ascend Magazine or Thentia.
IN BRIEF
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The Week in Brief is your weekly snapshot of regulatory news and what's happening in the world of professional licensing, government technology, and public policy.
This week in regulatory news, professional communities clash over plans to publicly fund nurse practitioner clinics in Alberta, California considers an alternative pathway to licensure for lawyers, and much more.
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The Week in Brief is your weekly snapshot of regulatory news and what's happening in the world of professional licensing, government technology, and public policy.
This week in regulatory news, Engineers Canada urges Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to reconsider a proposal that aims to loosen restrictions around who can use the title of “engineer,” a Georgia committee adopts several measures to grow the state’s workforce, including changes to professional and occupational licensing, and more.
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The Week in Brief is your weekly snapshot of regulatory news and what's happening in the world of professional licensing, government technology, and public policy.
This week in regulatory news, Alabama considers statewide regulatory consolidation, new research shows potential weaknesses in elementary school teacher licensing exams, Nova Scotia streamlines licensure for foreign-trained doctors, and more.
Reducing regulatory red tape in Georgia: Week in Brief
The Week in Brief Podcast is your weekly guide to the latest news, issues, and events in professional licensing, regulation, and digital government. This week, Sarah and Paul discuss new “red tape rollback” measures proposed by Georgia’s lieutenant governor, research showing potential weaknesses in elementary school teacher licensing exams throughout the U.S., and more.
