Update on New Legislation for Universal Licensing Recognition

On March 9, 2023, Virginia Governor Glenn Younkin signed into law legislation (SB1213/HB2180) that directed the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) to create Universal Licensing Recognition (ULR) for 85 occupations, including construction trades.

ULR applies to all individual licenses regulated by DPOR, except architects, engineers, land surveyors, and landscape architects. ULR does not apply to contractor licenses.

ULR does not mean that Virginia will automatically recognize an out of state individual’s license. The out of state individual must apply for a Virginia license before the person commences work in Virginia.

DPOR boards will grant licenses to out-of-state applicants who possess a license issued by another state, if:

• The applicant has held an equivalent license in another state for at least three years;
• The applicant is in good standing in all states where they were/are licensed;
• The applicant was required to pass a competency exam to obtain their original state license;
• The applicant met training standards to obtain their original state license; and
• The applicant pays all applicable Virginia licensing fees.

The new law took effect on July 1, 2023 and the DPOR has implemented new ULR procedures.