The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is committed to supporting members of the Armed Services, Veterans, and Military family members. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts wants to ensure that your specific needs are addressed as you seek professional licenses. If you need any assistance please contact the respective agency’s customer service contact page and they will get back to you as soon as possible. If you need immediate assistance please contact your local Veterans Services Officer or the Department of Veterans’ Services at 617-210-5480, MDVS@vet.state.ma.us.
Division of Professional Licensure
DPL has implemented the following provisions relating to professional licensure which are now in effect in response to the VALOR Act:
Each of the 31 DPL Boards of Registration will accept relevant education, training, and service completed by a license applicant as a member of the Armed Forces or the Rilitary Reserves toward the qualifications required for licensure.
The trade or professional license of a member of the Armed Forces who is on Active Duty will remain valid until he or she is released from active duty, and for 90 days thereafter.
DPL will expedite the licensure process for Military spouses who are licensed in other states and have left employment there to accompany a spouse relocated to the Commonwealth due to a Military transfer.
The necessary paperwork for Military, Military spouses and Veterans are found on this website.
DPL oversees these Boards and Professions:
Allied Health Professionals: Athletic Trainer, Occupational Therapist, Occupational Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapist, Physical Therapist Assistant, Physical Therapy Facility
Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals: Mental Health Counselor, Marriage and Family Therapist, Rehabilitation Counselor, Educational Psychologist
Architects: Architect
Barbers: Barbers (Apprentice, Master, Instructor), Barber Shop, Barber School
Certified Health Officer: Certified Health Officer
Chiropractors: Chiropractor, Chiropractic Facility
Cosmetologists: Advanced Training Institute, Aesthetician, Aesthetician Instructor, Aesthetician School, Cosmetologist (Hairdresser), Cosmetology Instructor, Cosmetology School, Demonstrator, Manicuring School, Manicurist, Operator, Salon, Shop
Dietitians and Nutritionists: Dietitian/Nutritionist
Dispensing Opticians: Dispensing Optician
Electricians and Alarm System Installers: Alarm System Business, Alarm System Installer and Technician, Journeyman Electrician, Electrical Corporation or Partnership, Fire Alarm System Business, Fire Alarm System Installer and Technician, Master Electrician
Electrologists: Electrologist, Electrology Instructor, Electrology School
Funeral Directors, Embalmers and Establishments: Embalmer, Embalmer Apprentice, Funeral Director, Funeral Establishment
Hearing Instrument Specialists: Hearing Instrument (Hearing Aid) Specialist
Home Inspectors: Associate Home Inspector, Home Inspector
Landscape Architects: Landscape Architect
Massage Therapy: Massage Therapist/Practitioner, Massage Therapy Salon, Massage Therapy School
Operators of Drinking Water Supply Facilities: Drinking Water Supply Facility Operator
Optometry: Optometrist
Plumbers and Gas Fitters: Gas Fitter (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master) , Gasfitting Corporation or Partnership, Gasfitting Inspector (Journeyman, Master), LP Gas Installer, Limited LP Gas Installer, Plumber (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master), Plumbing Corporation or Partnership, Plumbing Inspector (Journeyman, Master)
Podiatry: Podiatrist
Professional Engineers and Professional Land Surveyors: The Board currently licenses in the following disciplines: Aeronautical, Agricultural, Architectural, Chemical, Civil, Control Systems, Electrical, Environmental, Fire Protection, Heating & Ventilation, Industrial, Land Surveyor, Mechanical, Metallurgical, Mining and Mineral, Naval Architecture, Nuclear, Petroleum, Safety, Sanitary, Structural. The Board no longer, but has in the past, also licensed in the following disciplines: Aeronautical/Aerospace, Architectural Marine, Astronautical, Ceramic, Construction, Corrosion, Electronic, Engineering Physics, Geotechnical, Highway, Manufacturing, Marine, Materials, Plumbing, Quality, Railroad, Systems, Traffic, Transportation
Public Accountancy: Business Corporation, Certified Public Accountant (CPA), CPA Corporation, CPA LLC, CPA LLP, CPA Partnership
Psychologists: Psychologist
Radio and Television Technicians: Registered Technician, Registered Master Technician
Real Estate Appraisers: Certified General, Certified Residential, State Licensed, Trainee
Real Estate Brokers & Salespersons: Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Corporation or Partnership, Real Estate LLC or LLP, Real Estate Salesperson
Sanitarians: Sanitarian
Sheet Metal Workers: Steet Metal Worker (Apprentice, Journeyperson, Master), Sheet Metal Work Business, Sheet Metal Work School
Social Workers: Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Certified Social Worker, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Social Worker Associate
Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists: Audiologist, Audiologist Assistant, Speech Pathologist, Speech Pathologist Assistant
Veterinary Medicine: Veterinarian, Limited Practitioner
Department of Public Safety
Visit the Department of Public Safety’s website here for the necessary paperwork for Servicemembers, Military spouses and Veterans.
The Department of Public Safety oversees applications for:
Amusement Certified Maintenance Mechanic
Inspector of Amusement Devices
Elevator Operators
Firemen (Power plant operators)
Hoisting Engineer (operators of hoisting equipment)
Refrigeration technicians
Pipefitters
Sprinkler fitters
Oil Burner Certificate of Competency
Boiler Inspectors
Early Education and Care
Early Education and Care (EEC) recognizes the mobility and that impact on the employability and income of any member of the Armed Forces, Veteran, or their spouse, and therefore expedites those applications for review and offers individual case management as needed.
EEC oversees applications for:
Adoption, Foster Care and Residential Care Licensing
Family, Large & Small Group, and School-Age Child Care Licensing
Recreational and Summer Camps
Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has recently expanded options for out of state licensed teachers to gain entry into the Massachusetts Teachers licensing system. DESE also offers individual customer service to all applicants. Visit this website to learn more.
DESE recognizes the mobility and that impact on the employability and income of any member of the Armed Forces, Veteran, or their spouse. Therefore if a school district requests that an application ready for review be expedited, then DESE will review the application within 24-48 hours.
Department of Public Health
Staff at the Boards of Registration within the Department of Public Health Division of Health Professions Licensure are actively engaged in identifying key areas of intervention and policy amendment subsequent to the VALOR Act.
DPH oversees applications for:
Acupuncture
Alcohol & Drug Counselor
Community Health Workers
Dentistry
Early Intervention Specialists
Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT)
Forensic Psychologists / Psychiatrists
Genetic Counselors
Healthcare and Social Work Licensing Boards
Licensed Radiologic Technologists
Nurse Aides
Nursing
Nursing Home Administrators
Perfusionists
Pharmacy
Physician Assistants
Physicians
Respiratory Care
Provider Licensure and Certification
Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE)
Provider Licensure and Certification
Registry of Motor Vehicles
Commercial Driver’s License:
The RMV adopts the Military Commercial Driver License Skills Test Waiver that allows a qualified service member or Veteran to apply for a Commercial Driver’s License without road skills testing. The test will be waived for Veterans with two years of Military experience operating vehicles of representative of the Class of license applied for, during the 90 days prior to discharge from the service. Massachusetts has joined 36 other states who have this option. Visit this site to apply.
Veterans Designation on Driver’s Licenses and State ID’s:
In January of 2012 the RMV adopted a new policy to allow Veterans to have the option to list a Veterans designation on their state issued driver’s license or state ID’s. The designation allows Veterans to access military discounts without needing a separate Military ID. Also this is another opportunity to honor our Veterans so they can proudly have a personal reminder of their service on their own license. Visit your local RMV to apply. To find the RMV branch closest to you visit this site.