A bill that waives the professional license renewal fees and continuing education requirements of U.S. Armed Forces members holding a professional or occupational license administered by the Department of Regulatory Agency (DORA) has been signed into law.
The law applies to military personnel who have served in a federal status at least 120 days during a particular renewal cycle in support of a war, emergency or contingency operation.
According to the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, the law was the result of the experience of Michael Griffeth, a former U.S. Air Force Captain and Civil Engineering Officer in the 140th Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard.
Griffeth, the president of Griffeth Structural, LLC, is licensed in 13 states.
Griffeth was in the process of rebuilding his engineering business following more than six years of military service that included a nine-month involuntary mobilization for a tour in Iraq.
Working to restart his business, Griffeth found that Colorado was not among the states that had a law in place to support professionally licensed military personnel during periods of active duty.
Griffeth contacted his local representative, State Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, and the American Council of Engineering Companies of Colorado, for help.
Schafer and State Sen. Bob Bacon, D-Fort Collins, introduced a bill that passed both houses of the legislature.
Although the law helps professional engineers like Griffeth, it also benefits a wide range of licensed professionals covered by DORA including accountants, architects, dentists, electricians, engineers, pharmacists, doctors, plumbers and nurses.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com.
