Military Spouses Often Face Licensing Issues When PCSing

Military Spouses Often Face Licensing Issues When PCSing

The life of a military spouse is never easy. Travel, potential dangers, and always the possibility that their loved one may be sent away to a far off place – these are all realities that those engaged in a marriage with a member of the armed services must cope with on a daily basis. One of the biggest tasks for military spouses is moving from one state to another due to Permanent Change of Station (PCS) orders. This can create some big issues when it comes to licensing, as many careers require specialized qualifications that may not transfer well between states.

The Obama administration took a big step towards rectifying this issue when they signed an executive order in 2009. The first of its kind, it was the beginning of an effort to make sure that the problems military spouses face while PCSing become much more manageable.

Under the 2009 Executive Order, there was a push to make states more aware of the issues military spouses face while PCSing and they were asked to adopt specific measures to reduce the number of complications that arises. New guidelines were put in place that would make it easier for spouses to obtain new licenses without having to go through the entire application process again.

These measures allowed for reciprocity in certain professional fields, so that professionals with already established credentials would not have to go through a re-credentialing process each time they moved. States were also asked to consider short-term licensure, allowing for spouses to practice in the field in which they were already trained for up to 90 days. Doing so provides time for them to complete the proper paperwork and get their license transferred over to the new state.

In addition, the Obama administration opened up the door for interstate compacts, further streamlining the process for obtaining licenses in multiple states. More specifically, the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) allows medical professionals, who are properly credentialed in one state, to become licensed in participating states without having to complete the entire licensing process each time.

The initiative of the Obama administration has gone a long way towards making the process of PCSing much easier on military spouses. It has eliminated a lot of paperwork and allowed for faster transition times. Now it’s up to the states to follow suit and create similar measures in order to make the process even smoother.

Though the United States has made great strides in helping military spouses who PCS, it is still an issue that is prevalent in society. By staying informed on the laws and following the measures set forth by the Obama administration, military spouses can take the necessary steps to ensure their licensing is valid and up-to-date. It’s important for them to keep in mind that the job of the military spouse is just as important as the soldier themselves and that the transition process must be made as smooth and easy as possible.