SC General Assembly Strengthens Licensing and Certification Process

Columbia, S.C. – Governor Henry McMaster has signed S455, a bill requiring state licensing boards to issue temporary
professional licenses to spouses of active duty military assigned to a South Carolina base.

"South Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the country because we’re always looking for ways to enhance our
support of members of the military and their families,” said Gov. Henry McMaster. “If we can cut through red tape to
help our military families achieve financial security, we will do it every time. This is a great piece of legislation and I’m
proud to have had the opportunity to sign it into law.”

“This is a great day for South Carolina’s military spouses and for those military families whose careers will bring them to
one of our bases,” Said Senator Tom Alexander, a sponsor of the Bill. “We’ve long sought this objective with strong
support from both the House and Senate working together to improve this important service to our military families.”

“This bill was first passed in 2014,” said Bill Bethea, Chairman of the SC Military Base Task Force, “but we realized the
language wasn’t strong enough to ensure military spouses were receiving their licenses and able to go to work in their
professions quickly. When you follow an active duty spouse to a new duty station every few years, it is essential that
you’re able to transition in your career to the new state without roadblocks and hurdles that stall your licensing. With
this amended bill our state has strong licensing and credentialing language which will give confidence to incoming
military families. No wonder our state is recognized as the most military supportive state.”

South Carolina Labor Licensing and Regulation Director, Emily Farr said the Agency looks forward to working with the
spouses of active-duty military members to make sure they are licensed as quickly as possible. “This law shows the
commitment we all have to our military members, and it underscores the significance of the impact they have on our
state.

Achieving expeditious licensing for all military spouses has been a priority for the Department of Defense and each
branch of the Armed Services. Military families often depend on two incomes, and the ability of a spouse to continue
advancing their career is cited as a primary reason many military members leave military service. Recently the Secretary
of the Air Force confirmed that basing decisions will factor military family support criteria, primarily the ability of a
spouse to retain their credentials and work. This legislation now provides those deserving military spouses the
opportunity to continue their careers while living on one of our great military installations here in South Carolina.