HB3533 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 11281 AAS 21367 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB3533

Introduced 2/18/2025, by Rep. Adam M. Niemerg

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Professional Licensure Apprenticeship Recognition Act. Provides that the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation shall grant a license to any applicant who has: (1) completed a qualifying licensure apprenticeship program; (2) passed any examination required by the applicable licensing Act; (3) paid any applicable fees; and (4) met any other criteria unrelated to training and education requirements under the licensing Act. Sets forth provisions concerning the denial of an apprenticeship program, the determination of a passing score on a licensing examination, and licensing fees. Provides that the Department may work with relevant agencies, including the State Board of Education, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security, to ensure that licensure apprenticeship programs that qualify under the Act are available and known to secondary and postsecondary students. Provides that the Department may consider licensure apprenticeship programs for professions that do not have a corresponding licensing Act as a path to licensure if, in the discretion of the Department, apprenticeship is appropriate. Provides that the Department shall not exempt a license obtained pursuant to the Act from any continuing training or education requirements required for license holders under the licensing Act to maintain or renew an existing license. Effective January 1, 2026.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Professional Licensure Apprenticeship Recognition Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act

"Apprenticeship program" means a paid on-the-job learning program that has been adopted by the Division of Professional Regulation of the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation or the United States Department of Labor.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Section 10. Provisions of professional licensure apprenticeships.

(a) The Department shall grant a license to any applicant who has done the following:

(1) completed a qualifying licensure apprenticeship program;

(2) passed any examination required by the applicable licensing Act;

(3) paid any applicable fees; and

(4) met any other criteria unrelated to training and education requirements under the licensing Act.

(b) If the Department denies licensure to an applicant on the basis that the applicant's apprenticeship is not an apprenticeship program that qualifies under this Act, then the Department shall issue such denial in writing and provide an explanation as to why the applicant's apprenticeship program does not qualify under this Act. The Department's decision shall be a final administrative action and shall be subject to judicial review.

(c) If a licensing Act requires an examination for licensure, the passing score of the examination shall be the same for applicants under this Section as for non-apprentice applicants. If a licensing Act does not require an examination for licensure, then no examination shall be required for applicants seeking to obtain licensure through a licensure apprenticeship program.

(d) The Department shall use the same licensing fee for applicants under this Act and for applicants under the standard licensing process. If a licensing Act does not require a fee, no fee shall be required for applicants who obtain licensure through a licensure apprenticeship program.

(e) The Department shall not increase the education or training requirements, including hour requirements, under a licensing Act for applicants who have completed a licensure apprenticeship program under this Act.

(f) The Department may work with relevant agencies, including the State Board of Education, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and the Department of Employment Security, to ensure that licensure apprenticeship programs that qualify under this Act are available and known to secondary and postsecondary students.

(g) The Department may consider licensure apprenticeship programs for professions that do not have a corresponding licensing Act as a path to licensure if, in the discretion of the Department, apprenticeship is appropriate.

(h) The Department shall not exempt a license obtained pursuant to this Act from any training or continuing education requirements required for license holders under the licensing Act to maintain or renew an existing license.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.