Gov. Kristi Noem is bringing legislation to recognize out-of-state occupational licenses “for nearly every profession,” her office announced Wednesday.
In her State of the State address, Noem told lawmakers the move would alleviate “growing pains” that have come with economic development in the state.
“In 2022, our unemployment rate was the lowest it’s been in our state’s history,” she said. “But we still have 23,000 open jobs in our state.”
Noem said South Dakota should emulate Arizona, which passed a universal licensing law in 2019.
“Arizona’s workforce has grown by about 5,000 workers since their law was implemented,” Noem said, citing data from the free market think tank Common Sense Institute Arizona. “That’s the kind of drastic workforce boost that we need here in South Dakota.”
Senator Jim Stalzer, a Sioux Falls Republican, is sponsoring the legislation.
“A great deal of benefits come from growing our workforce and increasing the number of licensed professionals in our state,” Stalzer said in a press release. “This bill will allow our boards and commissions discretion to streamline the licensing and certification process for professionals who are making South Dakota their new home.”
At time of publication, the bill had not been released on the Legislative Research Council website.
