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SB 458 West Virginia Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025

SB 458, the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025, allows licensed professionals from other states to obtain West Virginia licenses without retaking exams if they meet specific criteria. It directly affects licensed professionals (excluding lawyers and those under federal oversight) who either reside in West Virginia or are married to active-duty military members stationed there. Key provisions require applicants to hold an active, unrevoked license in another state at the same practice level, meet comparable education/work standards, have no disciplinary history, and pay state fees. The law does not create interstate compacts, and licenses issued under this bill are valid only in West Virginia. Boards must prominently display notices about this provision on all licensing applications and websites.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Aug 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed Aug 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

sb458 h go am _1 3-26 adopted.htm → Enrolled Committee Substitute · 7 edits · Apr 8, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was converted from a committee amendment draft into an official enrolled version, adding the full text of the 'Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act of 2025'. This new law mandates that state licensing boards issue licenses without examination to out-of-state professionals who are residents or spouses of military members, provided they meet specific criteria regarding their home state licensure, education, and criminal history. The changes establish a new legal framework for reciprocity, including specific exemptions for law practice and federal oversight, while removing previous amendment notes.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a proposed amendment to a new, standalone statute (Section 30-1-27) that applies to all state boards of examination or registration, with specific exclusions for law practice and federally regulated boards.
SCOPE

Added a new statute establishing universal licensing for out-of-state professionals who are state residents or military spouses.

ELIGIBILITY

Defined eligibility criteria requiring current licensure in another state, good standing, and verification of education and experience.

REQUIREMENT

Mandated that applicants for certain professions (medicine, hand-skills) complete specific exams or graduate programs.

Required applicants to pass a state-specific law examination if the board administers one.

ENFORCEMENT

Established that licensed individuals are subject to state laws and board jurisdiction, and mandated quarterly reporting of applications to state officials.

TIMELINE

Set an effective date of July 1, 2025, for the new licensing requirements.

TECHNICAL

Removed internal committee amendment instructions and status markers, replacing them with the final enrolled text.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 10, 2025 · House of Delegates Mar 31, 2025

How they voted

32–0
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 33
Mar 10, 2025
D Democratic2
2 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
30 Yea 1
96% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
38
Key actions
8
Committee
6
Amendments
1
Apr 8, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/7/2025 - House Journal
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/7/2025
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Upper · Passed
Senate concurred in House amendments and passed bill (Roll No. 275)
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 256)
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
lower
Mar 28, 2025
Introduced
Amendment reported by the Clerk
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
With amendment, do pass
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
To House Government Organization
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 83)
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee substitute reported
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
To Government Organization
upper
0 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.