TennesseeMilitary families would qualify for faster Tennessee occupational licenses
Beginning July 1, 2026, eligible military members and their families would have Tennessee licensing routes based on comparable licenses or at least three years of work experience.
What it does
Eligible military members and their families would be able to seek a Tennessee work license using a comparable license from another state or the military, if they meet background and good-standing rules.
Military-connected applicants with at least three years of work experience could use a separate route to seek a Tennessee license, subject to background checks and application verification.
Argument forQualified military families could enter Tennessee jobs sooner because boards would review comparable licenses or work experience instead of requiring a new full licensing process.
Argument againstBoards may face added verification work and could let someone begin working before discovering that a sworn application was inaccurate.
More detail
Tennessee licensing boards would issue a license at the same practice level when an eligible person applies and pays the required fees. The pathway covers active or retired military members, their spouses, and their dependents seeking a license for a lawful occupation. The applicant must hold a current license from another state or the military in an occupation with a similar work scope and must have held it in good standing for at least one year. The applicant must have met education, training, experience, or examination standards for that license. The applicant must have no disqualifying criminal record, work-related revocation or surrender for negligence or intentional misconduct, or unresolved complaint, allegation, or investigation involving unprofessional conduct or an alleged crime. The applicant remains subject to Tennessee's occupation laws and the licensing board's authority. The license would be valid only in Tennessee. The provisions would take effect July 1, 2026, if the measure takes effect.
Tennessee licensing boards would issue a license at the same practice level to a qualifying applicant who applies and pays the required fees. The route covers active or retired military members, their spouses, and their dependents who have worked at least three years in the lawful occupation. The applicant must meet the rules against disqualifying criminal records, work-related revocations or surrenders for negligence or intentional misconduct, and unresolved complaints, allegations, or investigations. Boards must create processes to investigate and verify applications before issuing licenses. A board would issue a license within ten business days after receiving an application, but it could order the person to stop working if a sworn statement is later found invalid. The provisions would take effect July 1, 2026, if the measure takes effect.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Comp. became Pub. Ch. 1081Latest
- Apr 21Comp. SB subst.
- Apr 21Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 20Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Vote recorded HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE: H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026 4/16/2026. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 17
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/17/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 4/17/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 15Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- Apr 15Rec for adopt by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
- Apr 15Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeMinor
- Apr 15Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
- Apr 8Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
- Apr 1Placed behind the budget
- Mar 25Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE COMMERCE COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee 3/25/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 25Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 25Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means SubcommitteeMinor
- Mar 25Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/1/2026
- Mar 18Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded HOUSE BUSINESS AND UTILITIES SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Commerce Committee 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 18Placed on cal. Commerce Committee for 3/25/2026
- Mar 11Action Def. in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
- Mar 4Placed on s/c cal Business & Utilities Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
- Feb 25Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 19Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 17Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 11Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Jan 21P2C, ref. to Commerce CommitteeMinor
- Jan 21Assigned to s/c Business & Utilities SubcommitteeMinor
- Jan 15Intro., P1C.Minor
- Jan 14Filed for introductionIntroduced
Economy & JobsGovernment & EthicsVeterans