Universal licensure bill aims to help address labor shortage

TAMPA, Fla. (FLV) – Florida legislation aims to help people who come to Florida keep their license to practice in their related work fields to address the labor shortage.

Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, filed the Senate version of the bill and Rep. Traci Koster, R-Tampa, filed the House version.

“In the Free State of Florida, we welcome all Americans who come here to live, work, and play,” Collins said. “In that same spirit, if you’re licensed where you came from, you can keep your license and continue that work here.”

Tampa has been hard hit with labor shortages, crippling inflation, and supply chain crises. This legislation is meant to take some of the burden off of small business owners.

“I’m happy to introduce this important piece of legislation with Senator Collins,” Koster said. “This bill will allow new residents of Florida to use their pre-existing skills, enter the workforce unimpeded, and help our businesses expand to meet the growing demand for labor.”

The legislation also makes sure that those exiting the military can keep and apply their military certifications and licenses to their field in the public or private sector.

The legislation would establish Florida as a leader in the U.S. on occupational reform and is meant to address the workforce shortage, which the press release said is “decimating our economy.”

“As the most veteran friendly state in the country, this bill will ensure that those exiting the military will be welcomed to enter into our growing workforce,” Collins said.

“As Floridians, we are proud of our governor and our state for leading the nation. This legislation is yet another major step for Florida to lead the country and remain a beacon of economic freedom,” Koster said.

Collins told Florida’s Voice he’s “very excited” about what this bill could do. He said it could bring people into Florida and fill “some of these critical shortages” in the state.

“We need professionals to work in the state of Florida ‘cause there are jobs available, our economy is humming under the leadership of Ron DeSantis and living in this state, there’s a lot of things to love and here we go,” Collins said.