TennesseeTennessee boards follow federal license rules for military families
Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee licensing authorities must follow federal license-recognition rules for military families who move here or nearby and seek work here.
What it does
Tennessee licensing authorities must follow federal license-recognition rules for military families who move here under orders. The rules also cover those who move to a neighboring state under orders and seek work in Tennessee, with stated exceptions.
Tennessee licensing authorities must display a notice saying active servicemembers and their spouses may qualify to use another state's occupational license in Tennessee.
Argument forMilitary families who move under orders may have a clearer path to work using a covered license in Tennessee.
Argument againstLicensing authorities may need to update websites, applications, and other communications to carry the required notice.
More detail
Tennessee licensing authorities must follow the federal license-recognition rules named in the law. The rules cover occupational licenses held by servicemembers or their spouses who move under military orders. This applies to a servicemember or spouse who holds a covered license and moves to Tennessee under the servicemember's military orders. It also applies when that person moves under those orders to a state next to Tennessee and seeks to work in Tennessee. The chapter does not apply to professions regulated by the state supreme court or covered licenses subject to an interstate compact Tennessee has joined. The chapter takes effect for rulemaking on May 22, 2026, and for other purposes on July 1, 2026.
Each Tennessee licensing authority must display a notice about possible license recognition. The notice must appear on the authority's website, applications, and related communications. The notice says an active servicemember or spouse of an active servicemember may qualify to have an occupational license from another state recognized in Tennessee. This requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1081Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 24Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 22Concurred, Ayes 30, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0857)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/22/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0857)Major
- Apr 21Passed H., as am., Ayes 91, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 21Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/22/2026
- Mar 23Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 19Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0663)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/19/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 19Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 19Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 19Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/19/2026
- Mar 10Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE COMMERCE AND LABOR COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/10/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 4Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/10/2026
- Mar 3Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/10/2026
- Feb 27Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 24Reset on Final calendar of Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
- Feb 24Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
- Feb 17Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 11Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 10Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 2Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Jan 21Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor CommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
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