WAIVER OF OCCUPATIONAL FEES:

This act requires licensing authorities, as defined in the act, to waive all occupational fees and fees from licensing requirements for the first year of licensure for low-income families, military families, and young workers.

This provision is identical to SCS/SB 988 (2018) and similar to a provision in HCS/HB 1587 (2018) and to a provision contained in the truly agreed to CCS/HCS/SS/SCS/SB 843 (2018).

APPLICATION FEES:

This act states that the Division of Professional Registration and its component boards, committees, and commissions shall not charge any applicant applying to be licensed or registered for any profession or occupation regulated by the Division an application fee until such application has been approved. In the event an application for licensure or registration is denied or rejected, no application fee shall be charged.

The following occupations and professions are specifically prevented from charging an application fee until such application has been approved:

• Sign Language Interpreters;

• Geologists;

• Boxers, Wrestlers and Martial Arts Licensees;

• Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants;

• Clinical Perfusionists;

• Dietitians;

• Massage Therapists;

• Interior Designers;

• Acupuncturist;

• Tattooing, Body Piercing, and Branding;

• Private Investigators & Private Fire Investigators;

• Public Adjusters & Adjuster Solicitors;

• Accountants;

• Architects;

• Professional Engineers;

• Engineer Interns;

• Land Surveyors-in-Training;

• Land Surveyors;

• Professional Landscape Architects;

• Barbers;

• Cosmetologists;

• Podiatrists;

• Chiropractors;

• Dentists;

• Dental Hygienists;

• Embalmers & Funeral Directors;

• Physicians & Surgeons;

• Anesthesiologist Assistants;

• Physical Therapists & Physical Therapist Assistants;

• Athletic Trainers;

• Physician Assistants;

• Respiratory Care Practitioners;

• Registered Nurse Professionals (LPs, RNs, APRNs)

• Optometrists;

• Psychologists;

• Behavior Analysts;

• Professional Counselors;

• Social Workers;

• Baccalaureate Social Workers;

• Marital & Family Therapists;

• Pharmacy Technicians;

• Pharmacy Interns;

• Pharmacists;

• Pharmacies;

• Drug Distributors;

• Real Estate Appraisers;

• Veterinarians;

• Veterinarian Technicians;

• Speech Language Pathologists;

• Audiologists; and

• Athlete Agents

JAMIE ANDREWS