Programs / Spouse Careers & Licensure

Spouse License Portability, Compacts and Relicensing Reimbursement

Military spouses in licensed careers such as nursing, teaching or counseling

Since a 2023 change to the SCRA, a spouse with a valid professional license in good standing can generally have it recognized in a new state for a similar scope of practice while on military orders. Interstate occupational licensure compacts (for nursing, counseling, psychology, teaching, physical therapy, social work and more) offer another route and should be used when one exists for your profession. Each service can also reimburse up to $1,000 of relicensing costs after a PCS across state lines.

How to use it

Check whether your profession has a compact, contact the new state's licensing board early, and submit receipts to your service's spouse licensure reimbursement program.

Go to the official source

Last checked 2026-10. Rules and amounts change; your installation's finance, transportation or family center office has the final word.

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