Kansas coalition seeks removal of barriers to professional licensing

Retired U.S. Army Col. Chris Croft is convinced a 5-year-old Kansas law removing barriers to occupational licensing, certification and registration for military spouses and service members should be broadened to cover anyone moving to the state.

“We need to do the same for all professionals that want to move to Kansas and become Kansas residents,” he said. “It acknowledges that these professionals don’t lose their skills and experience when they move to Kansas.”

While a coalition of business lobbying organizations endorse the reform, an alphabet soup of professional licensing boards and occupational associations in Kansas raised questions about the concept endorsed by Croft, a Republican House member from Overland Park. The credentialing mandate that would cut time allotted for a licensing agency’s review from two months to 10 days was considered Monday by the Senate Commerce Committee.