MarylandSB 04182026 Regular SessionSenate

Professional Licensing Portability - Members of the Foreign Service and Spouses

Sponsored By: Bryan W. Simonaire (Republican)

Signed by Governor

State Government - Agencies, Offices, and OfficialsHealth OccupationsBusiness Occupations and ProfessionsAccessibility - see also- Blind; Deaf; Disabilities; etcAccountantsAcupuncturistsAgents and BrokersAgriculture, Department ofAnimals -see also- Birds; Dogs; Domestic An; Horses; LivestkAppraisalsApprenticeships and InternshipsArchitects and ArchitectureArmed Forces and Uniformed ServicesArt, Music, and Cultural Affairs -see also- EthAff; Mus; etcAssisted LivingAttorneysAudiologists and Speech PathologistsBailBarbersCalvert CountyCertificationsChemical TestsChild CareChiropractorsCommittees and CommissionsContinuing EducationContractors -see also- Construct; Electricians; etc.CosmetologistsCounselors and TherapistsDental HygenistsDentistsDietitians and NutritionistsDriver EducationEducation, State Board ofElectronic Funds TransferElectriciansElectrologistsElevatorsEmergency Medical Services -see also- Ambul; RescSqdEnergy Matters -see also- Fuel; NuclearMatt; PwrPlnts; etc.Energy Technology and InfrastructureEngineers and EngineeringEnvironment, Department of theEnvironmental HealthEquipment -see also- Charging; Med. Equip.; MV Equip; etc.EthicsExplosives -see also- FireworksFarmers and Farming -see also- Agriculture; FarmlandFederal GovernmentFertilizersFinance CompaniesFinancial Regulation, Division ofFire ProtectionFish and Fishing -see also- Aquaculture; FishNets&DevFood -see also- Meat, Poultry, & Seafood; Milk; etc.ForestersFuel -see also- CoalFuneralsGeneticsGoods and Services -see also- Retail Sales; TermnSvc; TrfGdsGunsHealth, Department ofHealth Occupations -see also- (specific health occupations)Hearing AidsHeating and CoolingHome DetentionInspections -see also- Motor Vehicle InspectionInsurance AdministrationInterior DesignersInternational AffairsInvestigations and Inquiries -see also- Crim Bckgrnd InvestLaboratoriesLabor, Department ofLabor and Industry, Division ofLandscape ArchitectsLand Surveyors and SurveysLicenses -see also- AB Lic; Certifications; DrLic; PermitsLong-Term Care -see also- Continuing Care; Nursing HomesMassageMedical Testing and DiagnosisMedication TechnitionsMental and Behavioral Health -see also- Aut; Cogn; Dev; etc.MidwivesMilk ProductsMiningMorticiansMotor Vehicles -see also- Aband Veh; Ambulances; Buses; etc.Motor Vehicle Dealers and SalespeopleMotor Vehicle EquipmentMotor Vehicle InspectionNatural Resources, Department ofNurse PractitionersNurses -see also- Nurse Practitioners; Nursing AssistantsNursing AssistantsNursing Homes -see also- AsstLiving; ContinCare; LTCareOccupational TherapistsOptometrists, Ophthalmologists, and OpticiansOrgan DonorshipPawnshopsPest ControlPharmacists and Pharmacies -see also- DrugsPhysician AssistantsPhysicians -see also- MedExmnrs; Pediatr; Psychiatrists etc.Physical TherapistsPilots and Docking MastersPlumbingPodiatristsPrecious Metals and StonesPsychiatristsPsychologistsPublic Safety and Correctional Services, Department ofRadiationReal Estate -see also- Agents and BrokersRecyclingRefuse Disposal -see also- RecyclingRehabilitationRenewable Energy Sources -see also- Geotherm; Solar; etc.Retail SalesRules and RegulationsSafety -see also- Occupational SafetySocial WorkersSpecial EventsSports and RecreationSpousesStandards and Best PracticesState Police, Department ofStudentsSubstance Abuse TreatmentSurveillanceTax PreparersTeachersTitles -see also- DeedsTowingTransient MerchantsTransportation -see also- Aircraft; Airports; Boats; etcTreesUtilities -see also- Recycl; Refuse; Sewage; Teleph; WaterVeterinariansWastewaterWells -see also- Hydraulic Fracturing; WaterWholesale DistributionWork, Labor, and Employment -see also- JobTrn; Leave; etc.Wreckers and Scrap Processors

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18 provisions identified: 17 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Foreign Service health workers can practice

The law lets U.S. Foreign Service members and spouses work in many health jobs without a Maryland license. You must be on a Maryland assignment and hold an active, clean out‑of‑state license. Your work must match the scope of that license. Covered roles include RNs, APRNs, LPNs, nursing assistants and techs, dentists, dental hygienists, chiropractors, direct‑entry midwives, acupuncturists, and funeral and mortuary professionals. You remain subject to Maryland practice and discipline rules.

Behavioral health and social work exemptions

If you qualify under the Foreign Service portability rule, you can practice counseling, psychology, social work, and behavior analysis in Maryland without getting a Maryland Board license. Supervisors may be authorized practitioners, not only Maryland‑licensed supervisors. You can also serve as a residential child and youth care program administrator or practitioner without Maryland certification. These changes apply only while your authorization is in effect.

Foreign Service engineers and trades can work

Foreign Service members and spouses on assignment in Maryland can work under an out‑of‑state license in several fields. This includes electricians, plumbers and gas fitters, HVACR workers, stationary engineers, professional engineers, land surveyors, landscape architects, interior designers, foresters, land professionals, and ship pilots. Your work must stay within the scope of your home‑state license. You remain under Maryland’s practice and discipline rules.

Foreign Service license portability in Maryland

Members of the U.S. Foreign Service and their spouses can work in Maryland using a valid license from another state. You must give the Maryland board your assignment notice, be in good standing everywhere you hold or held a similar license, and have used the license in the last 2 years. You must follow Maryland practice rules and continuing education. You may only work in the same field and scope as your out‑of‑state license. You may supervise Maryland licensees and are subject to Maryland discipline.

Foreign Service real estate pros can work

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can work in real estate without a Maryland license. This covers brokers, associate brokers, salespersons, appraisers, certified appraisers, and home inspectors. Your work must match the scope of your out‑of‑state license, and you are subject to Maryland practice rules.

Medical and dental licensing exemptions

If you are covered by the Foreign Service rule, you do not need a Maryland license to work as a physician assistant or podiatrist, or to do dental radiation work. The same applies for dietitians, massage therapists, audiologists, hearing‑aid dispensers, speech‑language pathologists, and music therapists. You may provide EMS without an EMS Board license, operate a medical lab without the Secretary’s lab license, and operate or represent a tissue bank without the state permit. Environmental health specialists are also exempt while authorized.

Skilled trades licensing relief for assignments

If you are authorized under the Foreign Service rule, you can work in Maryland without a state license as an electrician or marine contractor. You can also provide on‑site wastewater services, operate water or wastewater works, drill wells, or do surface mining without new Maryland licenses. The state’s incinerator operator training sign‑off and certain scrap tire rules do not apply to you while authorized.

Foreign Service beauty pros can work

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can do cosmetology and electrology work without new Maryland licenses. You must hold an active, clean out‑of‑state license and stay within its scope. Maryland practice and discipline rules still apply.

Foreign Service can work in security fields

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can work in certain security fields without new Maryland credentials. This includes private detectives, security systems businesses, security guards placed by agencies, and private home detention monitoring agencies. Normal Maryland practice and discipline rules still apply.

Foreign Service vendors and dealers may operate

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can run certain retail and resale businesses without new state licenses. This covers dealers, pawnbrokers, junk and scrap processors, traders and exhibitors, and peddlers and some magazine sellers. Exhibitors covered here are not treated as transient vendors. Normal Maryland business rules and discipline still apply.

Many other jobs get license relief

Beginning October 1, 2026, if you are covered by the Foreign Service rule, you do not need Maryland licenses or certificates for many listed non‑health jobs. Examples include motor club operators, elevator mechanics, and vehicle salesmen. Wrestling participants and officials covered by the rule also do not need the usual contest licenses.

No exam for vehicle inspectors

Beginning October 1, 2026, the Motor Vehicle Administration may not require an exam from people covered by the Foreign Service rule to conduct vehicle inspections. This applies only while your authorization is in effect.

Plumber and gasfitter reciprocity without exam

Beginning October 1, 2026, if you hold a valid master plumber or gasfitter license from another state, you can get the equivalent Maryland license without an exam. You must present your out‑of‑state license to the Commission and meet its process.

School counselor renewal training waived

If you are a Foreign Service member or spouse authorized under this law, you can renew a Maryland school counselor certificate without the usual state renewal training. Other certification rules still apply.

Sports agents and promoters can work

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can act as athlete agents or event promoters without new Maryland licenses. You must hold an active, clean out‑of‑state authorization and work within its scope. Maryland practice and discipline rules still apply.

Tax preparers can work without registration

Foreign Service members and spouses on Maryland assignment can prepare individual tax returns without Maryland’s usual Board registration. You must hold an active, clean out‑of‑state authorization and work within its scope. Maryland practice and discipline rules still apply.

Finance and insurance licensing relief

If you qualify under the Foreign Service rule, you can operate as a sales finance company or money transmitter in Maryland without getting the state license. You also do not need certain Maryland insurance licenses to act as an insurance producer, adviser, bail bondsman, or public adjuster. These exemptions apply only while your authorization lasts.

Radiation machine inspector rules clarified

State rules for licensing and disciplining radiation machine inspectors apply to people authorized under the Foreign Service rule. The Secretary sets issuance, suspension, and revocation rules that include those authorized inspectors.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bryan W. Simonaire
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 172 • No: 0

House vote • 4/13/2026

Third Reading Passed

Yes: 128 • No: 0 • Other: 12

Senate vote • 3/12/2026