Iowa Bill Would Recognize Out-of-state Licenses For Various Professions

DES MOINES — Legislation recognizing out-of-state licenses for several occupations and limiting the reasons for disqualifying a person from receiving a professional license for a criminal conviction was approved Tuesday by the House State Government Committee.The change is one of Gov. Kim Reynolds’ priorities. One-quarter of Iowa’s workforce requires some kind of professional license — second highest in the nation, Reynolds said — but there’s no uniform standard for licensure.The bill was backed by a broad coalition of lobbying interests — schools, builders, Department of Corrections, Economic Development Authority, chambers of commerce and ACLU-Iowa.