SERVICEMEMBERS CIVIL RELIEF ACT PROTECTS SPOUSAL JOB LICENSES


By abalderston
The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act helps military spouses and members together.

It is common knowledge that military families travel a lot. When someone in the military needs to be stationed in a different location in the United States, adjusting can sometimes be hard for families. Military children have to resocialize and transition to new schools. Military spouses have to find new work opportunities wherever they go. For military spouses and servicemembers, it can be hard to find jobs when traveling to new states, because depending on the type of job, licensing issues can prevent spouses from finding work in their field. This is where the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act comes into play.Suggested read: Military Vaccine Mandate Is Over (But Soldiers Don’t Want to Come Back)

What is the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act?

The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCFA) is a federal law that was announced in April 2022. The act provides validation to professional licenses of service members and military spouses who had to relocate because of military orders. As long as the license to work is still valid, this law helps those traveling for military reasons get a higher chance at finding work in their new home.

Who Can Qualify for the Military Servicemembers Civil Relief Act?

There are three main criteria to qualify for protections:

  • Possess a covered professional license.
  • Obtain a copy of the military order that states your need for relocation.
  • Have a good standing with the licensing authority that provided your previous license.

Once they meet these qualifications, any servicemember or military spouse can use their professional license to get a job in different states. Some of the job licenses that receive protection under this act are:

  • Cosmetologists
  • Massage Therapists
  • Nurses
  • Paramedics
  • Pharmacists
  • Real Estate Agents
  • Social Workers

Extra Benefits Provided With the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

While this act primarily provides licensing assistance for military families changing states, there are other benefits available. The most notable are the credit card debt and interest rate benefits. According to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act website, those in active military status are entitled to multiple protections. The most important is a six percent interest rate on credit card debt and other loans. Banks in the past have gotten in trouble for not following this, but it is a federal law that must be abided by.Related read: VA Home Loan COVID Relief Is Extending Until May 31, 2024

Spreading Awareness of This Important Law

With this law going into effect, it is important to spread its awareness for the plethora of military families who move around constantly and need jobs to help support their families. As recently as this month, Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath, Texas Education Agency, and the State Board for Educator Certification lost a federal court case against a military spouse for not adhering to the SCRA. This is an important law that may provide lots of opportunities for military families.The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act helps servicemembers and military spouses continue their professional careers, even when they have to move away from their original licensure states. This act provides families a lot of financial support during hard times. Now, the next time someone asks what is the SCRA, or even which protections exist under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, you'll have an idea of what the benefits are.Read next: Up-or-Out Navy Method Is Being Replaced to Retain Sailors


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