§52. Occupational license or certification

            A. Notwithstanding any other law, a board shall issue an occupational license or certification to a person upon application, if all of the following apply:

            (1) The applicant holds a current and valid occupational license or certification in another state in a lawful occupation with a similar scope of practice, as determined by the board in this state.

            (2) The applicant has held the occupational license or certification in the other state for at least one year.

            (3) The other state required the applicant to pass an examination or to meet education, training, or experience standards.

            (4) The other state holds the applicant in good standing.

            (5) The applicant does not have a disqualifying criminal record as determined by the board in this state under state law.

            (6) The applicant does not have a disciplinary action or investigation pending in another state. If the applicant has a disciplinary action or investigation pending, the board in this state shall not issue or deny an occupational license or certification to the person until the disciplinary action or investigation is resolved or the person otherwise meets the criteria for an occupational license or certification in this state to the satisfaction of the board in this state.

            (7) The applicant pays all applicable fees in this state.

            (8) The applicant lives in this state and provides proof of residency as outlined in R.S. 37:53.

            B. If another state issued the applicant a certification but this state requires an occupational license to work, the board in this state shall issue an occupational license to the applicant if the applicant otherwise satisfies Subsection A of this Section.

            C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the Louisiana State Board of Medical Examiners and the Louisiana Board of Veterinary Medicine shall issue a conditional license or certification, pending normal licensure, to an applicant who otherwise satisfies Subsection A of this Section.

            D. In addition to the requirements of Subsection A of this Section, the Louisiana State Board of Dentistry may require that an applicant for dental licensure has successfully completed an initial clinical licensure examination in a jurisdiction that included a hand skills assessment.

            E. A license issued pursuant to this Chapter may contain the following statement: "Licensed by Endorsement, R.S. 37:51 et seq."

            Acts 2024, No. 253, §1; Acts 2024, No. 568, §1.