IRRC approves regulations to reduce obstacles to occupational licensing

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission has approved new professional and occupational licensing regulations, the Shapiro Administration and Dept. of State announced Friday.

According to a release, the regulations approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) reduce barriers to professional practice while continuing to protect public safety and allow more qualified Pennsylvania professionals to obtain their state license.

“Under these regulations, people with prior criminal convictions will have greater opportunity to enter professional fields,” Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt said in a statement. “At the same time, Pennsylvanians can rest assured that the commonwealth’s professional licensing boards and commissions continue to individually assess each applicant and determine whether they are qualified to be licensed in their chosen field.”

The Department's Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs used input from the public, members of the General Assembly, advocacy groups, and the professional licensing boards and commissions of the Dept. of State to identify criminal offenses that are related directly to the duties of the professions or occupations its licensing boards and commissions oversee. IRRC regulations now specify that an offense can only be related to the profession or occupation if a conviction occurred within the past five years.

The Dept. of State has been working to develop a list of which criminal convictions may justify denying an applicant a license to work in their field, per a release. Applicants will now know before they apply which previous convictions may prevent them from getting their professional license, and they know what they must demonstrate to show they are qualified.

The revised regulations will be sent to the Office of Attorney General for approval and must be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin before taking effect.

Copyright © 2024 BridgeTower Media. All Rights Reserved.