GUIDE TO LEADING POLIcIEs, PRAcTIcEs & REsOURcEs ...

art II2. Employer Challenge: Certification,License, and ExperienceMany military work roles would require licensure and certifications, if performedin the civilian sector. Civilian licensing of otherwise skilled veterans is commonlycited by employers as an impediment to fully leveraging the skills and experiencesof military veterans.Licensure and certification requirementsare commonly preceded by education andtraining, which varies between militaryand civilian sectors. However, the skills areoften similar or identical, and the trainingand education is also similar in scopeand content (between military and civiliansectors). Two primary components are atissue for employers that cite licensing andcertification as an impediment to hiringveterans:▶ A lack of understanding related to theveteran’s training and education as itcorrelates to the civilian equivalency(and how may the equivalency beascertained)▶ A lack of understanding related to theduties/activities of the veteran’s workrolein the military, as it correlatesto the requirements associated withcivilian licensing and certificationstandards.To a large extent, licensure and certificationis a state-level issue; that is, individualstates are responsible for vocational licensingrelated to most work roles requiringcivilian certification. Legislative and executivepolicy is beginning to address certificationand licensure for education, training,and skills obtained in military service, soas to allow easy transfer of licensure to takeplace as military members (and families)transfer from one state and jurisdiction toanother post-service and not only duringservice. These policy initiatives continue toensure the integrity of the license or certificationbut expedite attainment for thosealready qualified. These policies includelicense reciprocity, reduced documentationrequirements for veterans, expedited reviewsof licensing/certification applications,temporary licensure, and others.Initiatives in several states, and for severaltarget occupations including nursing,teaching, and childcare, were highlightedin a Treasury/DOD joint report on occupationallicensing focused on spouses whomove to support serving family members.As mentioned, there are also efforts underwayto streamline the process throughwhich education, training, and experiencegained as a result of military service canbe applied to generate a civilian certificationor license. Based on a review of36 INSTITUtE FOR veterans and military families