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Bill

H 451

An Act relative to professional licensure and citizenship

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Rita Mendes and 1 co-sponsor

Expands access to professional licenses for non-citizens, requiring boards to issue licenses regardless of immigration status if applicants meet requirements.

Accompanied a study order, see H4711
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Bill Summary · H 451

Summary of H 451: An Act relative to professional licensure and citizenship

Purpose and Intent

The primary purpose of this bill is to modify state laws regarding professional licensure requirements for individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The bill aims to expand access to certain licensed professions for non-citizens by establishing alternative pathways and criteria for obtaining professional licenses.

Key Provisions

  • Requires the state's professional licensing boards to issue professional licenses to qualified applicants regardless of citizenship or immigration status, as long as they meet all other licensing requirements.
  • Prohibits licensing boards from denying, suspending, or revoking a professional license solely based on the applicant's citizenship or immigration status.
  • Establishes a process for applicants without a social security number to provide alternative documentation to verify their identity and eligibility for licensure.
  • Directs licensing boards to accept individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs) in lieu of social security numbers for licensing application purposes.
  • Requires the state to provide language access services and translated materials to assist non-English speaking applicants through the licensing process.

Affected Parties

The primary groups affected by this bill would be:

  • Non-citizen individuals seeking professional licenses in fields such as healthcare, law, accounting, engineering, etc.
  • Professional licensing boards and regulatory agencies responsible for issuing and overseeing licenses.
  • Employers in licensed professions who would have access to a wider pool of qualified candidates.
  • Consumers who may benefit from increased access to licensed professionals.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill was introduced on March 25, 2025 and has been accompanied by a study order (H4711) for further review and analysis.
  • If enacted, the new licensure requirements and procedures would take effect 90 days after the bill is signed into law.
  • The state's professional licensing boards would be required to update their application forms and processes within 6 months of the effective date.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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