Gov. Ned Lamont is proposing to eliminate licensure application fees for certain jobs that are in high demand, including teachers, nurses and child care workers in his first legislative proposal of the year.
Lamont announced Wednesday that he will present his proposal when the General Assembly convenes for its three-month session in February.
The change is aimed at encouraging job seekers to pursue fields in which there is a need to fill openings – many of which require licenses that carry application fees.
“Right now, there are many job openings in essential fields that employers need to fill, and by eliminating these licensure application fees we can help encourage those who are seeking employment to consider entering a career in these sectors,” Lamont said.
The proposal includes eliminating the initial application fee for educator certificates, which costs $200 and generates about $1 million in annual revenue.
Also, the proposal would ax the initial application fee for home child care licenses, which cost $40, and the initial application fee for staff, which costs $15. Combined, they generate about $20,000 in annual revenue.
Further, Lamont is seeking to eliminate the initial application license fees for registered nurses, practical nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. These fees cost between $150 and $200. Together, they generate about $2.4 million in revenue.
The proposal would save workers about $3.5 million annually, according to the announcement.
Lamont is set to deliver his State of the State and Budget Address on Feb. 7, at which time he will also unveil his full fiscal year 2025 budget adjustment proposal, along with other legislative proposals.
