On February 14, 2023, Gov. Sununu laid out his budget plan, with housing, education and licensing reform on the agenda. It was the last item that got my attention. As a licensed hairdresser for the last (gulp) 49 years and a former licensed EMT (18 years) who had to renew those licenses every other year, I was intrigued and curious as to what sort of reform the governor had in mind.
His proposal was to eliminate 34 licenses,14 regulatory boards and nearly 700 statutory provisions. Additionally, the proposal would give universal license recognition, allowing people who are licensed in another state to effortlessly become licensed in New Hampshire. The governor referred to it as, “. . .incentivizing working professionals across the nation to move to New Hampshire."
Okay.
(For this article I have focused only on the licenses considered for repealing.) Repealed Licenses – As part of the effort to decrease barriers to workforce entry the following licenses and certifications are eliminated.
Apprentice Soil Scientist
Apprentice Wetland Scientist
Athlete Agent
Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics Booths within an already licensed facility
Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist
Computed Tomography
Forester
Hawkers and Peddlers
Itinerant Vendor
Landscape Architect
Licensed Nursing Assistant
Limited X-ray Machine Operator
Magnetic Resonance Technologist
Medical Technician
Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Radiation Therapist
Radiographer
Radiologist Assistant
Shorthand Court Reporters
Soil Scientist
Sonographer
Temporary License-Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist
Temporary License-Computed Tomography
Temporary License-Limited X-ray Machine Operator
Temporary License-Magnetic Resonance Technologist
Temporary License-Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Temporary License-Radiation Therapist
Temporary License-Radiographer
Temporary License-Radiologist Assistant
Temporary License-Sonographer
Temporary Permit-Veterinary Medicine
Temporary Registration-Medical Technician
Voice Court Reporter
Wetland Scientist
Then, I checked the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification website which states the following: “. . .provides administrative support to over 40 professional Licensing Boards, Commissions and Councils responsible for licensing and regulating their professions within the State of New Hampshire. Through the NH Administrative Rules and Administrative Boards, the OPLC is able to fulfill its mission that ensures public safety and efficacy.”
While I can perhaps see an “athlete agent,” “landscape artist” or a “voice court reporter” not needing a license, I do question the proposed licensing elimination of a “medical technician,” “licensed nursing assistant” or a “cardiac electrophysiology specialist.”
For those who are unaware (as I was) a cardiac electrophysiologist is a cardiologist who has 2 extra years of training to learn heart rhythms and how to diagnose problems with them. Training to become certified as a cardiac electrophysiologist:
- A 4-year medical school program
- A 3-year residency in internal medicine
- Board certification in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine
- A 3-year training program to specialize in cardiology, followed by board certification from the American Board of Internal Medicine in cardiovascular disease
- Another 2 years of training for certification in clinical cardiac electrophysiology from the American Board of Internal Medicine
Gov. Sununu DOESN’T think a cardiac electrophysiologist specialist needs to be licensed?