occupational licenses; apprenticeships

HB 2282 requires Arizona's occupational licensing agencies to create pathways for obtaining licenses through approved apprenticeship programs. It mandates that applicants must complete a U.S. Department of Labor-approved or Arizona Department of Economic Security-approved apprenticeship program - either at a state-licensed school or under an approved trainer holding the same license - and pass any required exam. The bill specifically prohibits licensing exams from favoring applicants from apprenticeship programs over those from vocational schools. This directly affects workers seeking licenses in regulated fields (like construction or healthcare) and the state agencies that issue those licenses.