A bill, HB 2270, sponsored by Representative Maria Syms, that directs community colleges and the Arizona Board of Regents to develop policies to award vocational credit based on skills, knowledge, and competencies gained during active duty military service has been signed into law by Governor Ducey.
HB2271, also sponsored by Representative Syms, directs state occupational licensing boards to allow comparable military service to satisfy license requirements. The bill also requires licensing boards to work with the Department of Veterans’ Services to access information on an applicant’s education, training, and experience in the military. HB2271 was signed into law in March.
The bills are part of Representative Syms’ Service Counts Initiative to award military personnel with credit for training received during their service and help ease the transition to civilian life.
“Arizona will now honor the sacrifices made by military personnel by giving them due credit for the knowledge and skills they’ve already acquired while in service to our nation,” said Representative Syms. “HB 2270, along with HB 2271, will help our veterans transition to civilian life by making it easier to obtain education benefits and find a job. Helping veterans to transition to the civilian workforce by recognizing their hard work and experience is the least we can to do thank them for defending our freedom.”