West Virginia considers universal licensing bill
The West Virginia House Government Organization Committee recently reviewed Senate Bill 458, known as the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025. This legislation aims to establish universal licensing reciprocity for professions regulated under Chapter 30 of the state's code. If enacted, it would require professional boards to grant licenses to individuals who have been licensed in another state for at least one year, provided they are in good standing and meet specific educational and experiential criteria. The bill also includes provisions for military spouses relocating to West Virginia and allows boards to mandate examinations on state-specific laws. Notably, the bill excludes legal practice licenses and certain background checks from its scope.