Intent of bill:
Provide provisional licensure process for members and spouses of active-duty military members, veterans and spouses.
SECTION 27. A new section to chapter 43-11 of the North Dakota Century Code is created and enacted as follows:
Applications to practice cosmetology - Active-duty military members - Veterans - Spouses.
1. Active-duty military members, spouses of active-duty military members, veterans, and spouses of veterans, are eligible for provisional licensure under this chapter.
2. Active-duty military members and spouses of active-duty military members are exempt from having to take an examination to practice under this chapter while on active-duty status, upon filing the following:
a. A board-approved application;
b. Proof the applicant holds an active license in good standing, or an equivalent, to practice cosmetology in another state, or territory of the United States, for the two years immediately preceding the application, and the applicant's license remains active and in good standing in the original jurisdiction; and
c. In the case of:
(1) An application from an active-duty military member, a copy of the member's current military orders or current military identification card; or
(2) An application from a spouse of an active-duty military member, provide the following:
(a) Proof the applicant is married to an active-duty military member by providing a copy of a marriage certificate; and
(b) Proof the spouse is assigned to a duty station in this state by providing a copy of the official active-duty military orders or proof the spouse has been assigned to active duty in a foreign country and the applicant is relocating to the state during the spouse's deployment.
3. A provisional license issued under subsection 2 must be:
a. Valid for three years from the date of original issuance;
b. Renewable with proof military orders continue to be active in the state; and
c. Issued without a fee.
4. For six months following honorable discharge from active duty, veterans and spouses of veterans are exempt from having to take an examination to practice under this chapter and may be issued a provisional license upon filing the following:
a. A board approved application;
b. Proof the applicant holds an active license in good standing, or an equivalent to practice cosmetology in another state or territory of the United States, for the two years immediately preceding the application, and the applicant's license remains active and in good standing in the original jurisdiction; and
c. In the case of:
(1) An application from a veteran, a copy of the members discharge papers.
(2) An application from a spouse of a veteran, provide the following:
(a) Proof the applicant is married to the veteran by providing a copy of a marriage certificate; and
(b) A copy of the spouse's discharge papers.
5. A provisional license issued under subsection 4 must be:
a. Valid for three years from the date of original issuance;
b. Nonrenewable; and
c. Issued without a fee.
6. If discharge of the veteran occurred more than six months prior, veterans and spouses of veterans may be eligible to obtain a license to practice cosmetology in the state under section 43 - 11 - 25.
7. The board shall prioritize and expedite an application received under this section from an active-duty military member, the spouse of an active-duty military member, a veteran, spouse of a veteran, or the surviving spouse of a veteran. The board shall record, track, and monitor applications under this section.