Governor Signs Law Allowing Professionals to Work Without Recertification

Moving to West Virginia Just Got Easier for Licensed Professionals

Economics research from West Virginia University (WVU) has played a central role in the development and passage of the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act, which Governor Patrick Morrisey officially signed into law on April 7. This landmark legislation aims to streamline the employment process for licensed professionals relocating to West Virginia, removing the requirement for them to recertify their qualifications from scratch.

Alicia Plemmons, assistant professor at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics, explained that the law addresses critical labor shortages while supporting economic growth. According to her, professionals such as doctors, veterinarians, and teachers will now be able to integrate more easily into West Virginia’s workforce, as the new policy reduces redundant training and certification barriers. This legislative milestone was heavily informed by the work of Plemmons and her colleagues at the WVU Knee Regulatory Research Center. In April 2024, the team provided lawmakers with crucial data, helping them evaluate the advantages and drawbacks of recognizing licenses across state lines. Their research focuses on analyzing licensing requirements in various states and their effects on workforce mobility and service quality.

Plemmons further noted that professional licenses function as government-issued permissions to work in specific fields, spanning occupations from healthcare to cosmetology. By embracing a system of “universal recognition”—a model already adopted by 26 other states—West Virginia will now accept professional licenses from other states in much the same way it recognizes out-of-state driver’s licenses. She emphasized that this change is expected to facilitate quicker job placements, support family mobility, and remove employment barriers for military spouses.

Under the new law, almost all licensed professions in the state will qualify for universal recognition. Notable exceptions include lawyers, who are overseen by the judicial branch, and real estate appraisers, who are subject to federal regulation. The law mandates that state licensing boards issue licenses to professionals licensed in another state for at least one year, provided they are in good standing—free of criminal or disciplinary records—and have met the original state’s standards for education, experience, and supervision. While the process is being simplified, applicants must still pay standard state licensing fees.

Importantly, the Knee Center researchers also presented demographic data indicating West Virginia’s urgent workforce challenges. With the state ranking third in the U.S. for its share of residents aged 65 or older, and with more residents leaving the workforce than entering, healthcare staffing shortages have become increasingly severe. Research associate Kihwan Bae stressed that simplifying licensing for out-of-state healthcare workers could help ease these shortages significantly.

In addition to addressing workforce gaps, the Center’s analysis showed that universal recognition could yield economic benefits, such as increasing tax revenue and boosting worker inflows by about 11 individuals per 100,000 residents each year. Plemmons emphasised that the Center’s efforts were in direct alignment with WVU’s land-grant mission to serve the people of West Virginia. She expressed satisfaction in being able to provide lawmakers with evidence-based insights that led to meaningful policy reform.

Joshua Hall, Milan Puskar Dean of the Chambers College, echoed this sentiment, praising the Center’s work in educating lawmakers about regulatory impacts. He described this as a prime example of how WVU’s outreach centers contribute to public service. While the Center serves policymakers nationally, Hall underscored its special importance within West Virginia, where the Chambers College has a long tradition of supporting the legislature through economic research and development initiatives. The Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act is scheduled to take effect on July 1. This policy marks a significant step forward in workforce mobility and economic resilience for West Virginia, demonstrating the power of academic research to inform and shape impactful legislation.

Editor’s Note:

The enactment of the Universal Professional and Occupational Licensing Act represents a significant policy advancement for West Virginia, aiming to alleviate critical labor shortages and stimulate economic growth. By recognizing out-of-state professional licenses, this legislation reduces regulatory barriers and facilitates workforce mobility—particularly in essential fields such as healthcare and education. This development also highlights the valuable role of academic institutions, such as West Virginia University, in shaping informed, data-driven legislation. The contributions of the WVU Knee Regulatory Research Center underscore the importance of research-based insights in policymaking, ensuring that reforms are not only practical but responsive to the demographic and economic needs of the state.

Skoobuzz highlights that as West Virginia prepares for the implementation of this law on July 1, it sets a strong precedent for other states facing similar workforce challenges. Policy must continue to be guided by collaboration between academic research, legislative action, and community needs.