Beginning on January 1,2020, each state licensing authority shall grant a license to any applicant who has successfully completed the eighth grade, completed an apprenticeship approved by the appropriate licensing authority or the U.S. Department of Labor, and has passed the required licensure examination, if one is deemed to be necessary under state law.

The Division shall establish a passing score for such examinations, which shall not exceed the passing score that is required for a non-apprenticeship license. If there is no examination requirement for a non-apprenticeship license, no examination shall be required for applicants who complete an apprenticeship.

The number of working hours required for an apprenticeship shall not exceed the number of educational hours otherwise required for a non-apprenticeship license.

This act is identical to SCS/HB 705 (2019), HCS/SB 204 (2019), and is substantially similar to SB 318 (2019), HCS/HB 472 (2019), HCS/SB 164 (2019).

JOSIE BUTLER