Under Act 135 of 2021, the Arkansas Occupational Licensing of Uniformed Service Members, Veterans, and Spouses Act of 2021, the Division of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has certain requirements to license uniformed service members, veterans, and their spouses. The following persons may qualify for automatic licensure under this Act:

  1. A uniformed service member stationed in the State of Arkansas;
  2. A uniformed service veteran who resides in or establishes residency in the State of Arkansas; and
  3. The spouse of:
    1. A person listed in subdivision (1) or (2) of this section;
    2. A uniformed service member who is assigned a tour of duty that excludes the uniformed service member's spouse from accompanying the uniformed service member and the spouse relocates to this state; and
    3. A uniformed service member who is killed or succumbs to his or her injuries or illness in the line of duty if the spouse establishes residency in the state.

    "Uniformed Service Member" means:

    1. An active or reserve component member of the United States Air Force, United States Army, United States Coast Guard, United States Marine Corps, United States Navy, United States Space Force, or National Guard.
    2. An active component member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps; or
    3. An active or reserve component member of the United States Commissioned Corps of the Public Health Service.

"Uniformed service veteran" means a former member of the United States uniformed services discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.

Automatic occupational licensure. DEQ will grant automatic occupational licensure to engage in an occupation or profession to an individual who:

  1. Presents evidence that he or she is qualified under numbers 1, 2, or 3 above;
  2. Is the holder in good standing of occupational licensure with similar scope of practice issued by another state, territory, or district of the United States; and
  3. Pays the initial license fee.

"Automatic occupational licensure" means the granting of occupational licensure without an individual's having met occupational licensure requirements provided under Title 17 of the Arkansas Statutes or by the rules of the relevant occupational licensing entity.


DEQ Military Member Licensure