Section 661.506.3. Veteran reciprocity.

        506.3(1) A veteran with an electrical license in another jurisdiction may apply for licensure in Iowa through reciprocity, based on the reciprocity procedures for licensed electricians as set out in the administrative rules in effect at the time that the application is made, and in compliance with any agreements with other jurisdictions regarding reciprocity. A veteran must pass any examinations required for licensure to be eligible for licensure through reciprocity. A fully completed application for licensure submitted by a veteran under this subrule shall be given priority and shall be expedited.

         506.3(2) An application shall contain all of the information required of all applicants for licensure who hold unrestricted licenses in other jurisdictions and who are applying for licensure by reciprocity, including, but not limited to, completion of all required forms, payment of applicable fees, disclosure of criminal or disciplinary histories and, if applicable, a criminal history background check. In addition, the applicant shall provide such documentation as is reasonably needed to verify the applicant’s status as a veteran under Iowa Code section 35.1(2).

         506.3(3) Upon receipt of a fully completed licensure application, the board shall promptly determine if the licensing requirements of the jurisdiction where the veteran is licensed are substantially equivalent to the licensing requirements in Iowa. The board shall make this determination based on information supplied by the applicant and such additional information as the board may acquire from the applicable jurisdiction. The board may consider the following factors in determining substantial equivalence: scope of practice, education and coursework, degree requirements, and postgraduate experiences.

         506.3(4) The board shall promptly grant a license to the veteran if the veteran is licensed in the same or similar profession in another jurisdiction whose licensure requirements are substantially equivalent to those required in Iowa, unless the applicant is ineligible for licensure based on other grounds, for example, the applicant’s disciplinary or criminal background.

         506.3(5) If the board determines that the licensure requirements in the jurisdiction in which the veteran is licensed are not substantially equivalent to those required in Iowa, the board shall promptly inform the veteran of the additional experience, education, or examinations required for licensure in Iowa. Unless the applicant is ineligible for licensure based on other grounds, such as disciplinary or criminal background, the following shall apply:

            a.               If a veteran has not passed the required examination(s) for licensure, the veteran may not be issued a provisional license but may request that the application be placed in pending status for up to one year or as mutually agreed to provide the veteran with the opportunity to satisfy the examination requirements.

            b.               If additional experience or education is required for the applicant’s qualifications to be considered substantially equivalent, the applicant may request that the board issue a provisional license for a specified period of time during which the applicant will successfully complete the necessary experience or education. The board shall issue a provisional license for a specified period of time upon such conditions as the board deems reasonably necessary to protect the health, welfare or safety of the public unless the board determines that the deficiency is of a character that the public health, welfare or safety will be adversely affected if a provisional license is granted.

            c.               If a request for a provisional license is denied, the board shall issue an order fully explaining the decision and shall inform the applicant of the steps the applicant may take in order to receive a provisional license.

            d.               If a provisional license is issued, the application for full licensure shall be placed in pending status until the necessary experience or education has been successfully completed or the provisional license expires, whichever comes first. The board may extend a provisional license on a case-by-case basis for good cause.

         506.3(6) A veteran who is aggrieved by the board’s decision to deny an application for a reciprocal license or a provisional license or is aggrieved by the terms under which a provisional license will be granted may request a contested case (administrative hearing) and may participate in a contested case by telephone. A request for a contested case shall be made within 30 days of issuance of the board’s decision. There shall be no fees or costs assessed against the military service applicant in connection with a contested case conducted pursuant to this subrule.

[ARC 1867C, IAB 2/18/15, effective 3/25/15]