Military and Veterans Services

DPOR stands ready to assist veterans and active-duty military personnel as they maintain or transition to civilian careers requiring professional credentials.

Automatic License Transfers

Active-duty military personnel and their spouses may be eligible for automatic license transfers under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Any license held in another state that 1) is in good standing and 2) used in the last two years can be transferred into Virginia for the duration of the military orders. Eligible servicemembers and spouses may submit a Portability of Professional Licenses of Servicemembers and Their Spouses Application.

Credit for Military Training

Honorably discharged veterans may apply substantially equivalent military training, education, or experience toward certain Virginia license requirements (Section 54.1-118).

Exam Reimbursement

Veterans can be reimbursed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for fees paid for required licensing or certification exams. Visit Licensing And Certification Tests And Prep Courses | Veterans Affairs for details.

Expedited License Processing

Military spouses assigned to Virginia, a neighboring state, or D.C. may request expedited processing using the Military Spouse Expedited License Application. Retirees are eligible within one year of separation. Spouses licensed in another state may also receive a temporary 12‑month license if they need more time to meet Virginia‑specific requirements (Section 54.1-119).

License Reimbursement

Coast Guard, Air Force & Space Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps spouses can get up to $1,000 to help cover the costs of transferring their professional licenses or certifications when they experience a permanent change-of-station move with their service member spouse. Navy spouses may be eligible for an additional $1,000 in assistance to cover any business-related expenses.

More Resources for Veterans

Veterans seeking employment opportunities and career support can find additional resources at VirginiaHasJobs.com/Veterans.