Governor Polis Signs HB26-1431

Governor Polis signed HB26-1431 into law this week, supporting a qualified workforce and honoring the skills and demonstrated competency of internationally educated professionals in our state.

HB26-1431 allows the appropriate regulatory board or director within the Division of Professions and Occupations to approve an application for licensure, certification, registration, or enrollment by endorsement, reciprocity, or transfer for these individuals. Prior to this bill, an individual had to be licensed, certified, registered, or enrolled in good standing in another state or a United States territory, or through the federal government, to qualify for the Occupational Credential Portability Program. This bill expands the occupational licensure portability program by providing internationally educated professionals opportunities that currently do not exist in the Colorado workforce.

This new legislation means that Boards and programs may allow individuals who are currently licensed, certified, registered, or enrolled in good standing in another country to use that credential to apply directly for licensure in Colorado, as long as all other requirements are met and unless prohibited.

"DORA has consistently worked to promote economic development and workforce mobility while maintaining strong consumer protection standards, gaining national recognition for its thoughtful regulatory approach," says Executive Director Patty Salazar. "The new legislation continues this effort by allowing, but not requiring, DORA boards to establish rules to define equivalency of education, experience, and qualifications for internationally educated professionals."

"Colorado is only the second state to implement a consistent approach to equivalency across a broad spectrum of professions within the state," says Sam Delp, Director of Professions and Occupations. "This approach ensures regulatory boards maintain standards for licensure while also providing qualified individuals from other countries an opportunity to demonstrate how their experience and education meet those requirements."

The next step in implementing this important legislation is to review the relevant regulatory program rules under the occupational portability statute and determine where changes are needed to comply with the new requirements. Boards and programs that need to update their rules will hold stakeholder meetings to gather input and hold a rulemaking hearing to implement any necessary updates.