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Free Six-Year Licence for a Military Spouse, Dependant or Gold Star Spouse

No application fee and no licence fee, valid six years, renewable once for six more while the servicemember is on orders here — and since HB24-1097 it reaches dependants and Gold Star spouses too.

Verified August 22, 2026

What this benefit is

No application fee and no licence fee, valid six years, renewable once for six more while the servicemember is on orders here — and since HB24-1097 it reaches dependants and Gold Star spouses too.

What it's worth: No application fee and no licence fee, for six years

  • The division states that these applications and licences do not require a fee.
  • Six years from the date of issuance, renewable at least once for a further six if the licensee’s spouse is still on orders here. Before HB24-1097 the term was three years and there was no renewal.
  • There are no practice restrictions — the holder is subject to the same laws and regulations as any other licensee in the same profession.
  • The dollar value depends on which of the 60-plus regulated professions you are in, so no figure is published here.

Who is entitled to it

  • Spouses, dependants and Gold Star spouses of servicemembers stationed here are covered.
  • Your home is in this state.

Not sure whether that describes you?

Answer a few questions about this benefit specifically — we only ask what this one actually depends on, and we stop as soon as we know.

How to claim it

  1. 1Create an account on the division’s Online Services system and apply there — the applications are online.
  2. 2Have three things ready: your active out-of-state licence, the servicemember’s military orders to this state, and your military identification.
  3. 3Check that the credential you hold is in good standing in the other state or territory. That is the substantive condition; the rest is documentation.
  4. 4Separately, ask your service branch about licensure cost reimbursement of up to $500 for a cross-state relocation. That is a federal programme run by the branches, not a state one, and it is claimed through Military OneSource.
File with
Division of Professions and Occupations, Department of Regulatory Agencies
Periodic recertification
Confirmed at intervals rather than annually.
Worth knowingThe 2024 change is the part that has not reached most guides: Gold Star spouses and dependants of qualified servicemembers were added, and the six-year term with a six-year renewal replaced a flat three years.
Worth knowingThe division says the licence is available for most credentials it regulates, and that it expedites review — but that how long review takes depends on the complexity of the case. Expedited is not instant.

Sources

This finder provides an informational match, not a government eligibility determination. The responsible agency decides your application.