Professional/Occupational Licensure Military Training Equivalency

Veterans often have a difficult time converting their military training and experience into civilian training and jobs. As a result, they often can't find jobs for which they are qualified, and when they pursue educational opportunities, they have to repeat training that is equivalent to their military training.

2011 Wisconsin Act 120 addresses applying a service member's military training toward satisfying the training requirements for various professional or occupational licenses.

Some examples of professional or occupational licenses affected by this law are (this list is not all-inclusive):

Child Care Center/ Provider
Feeding Assistant
First Responder Emergency Care/Emergency Response
Food Protection Practices
Food Sanitation Manager
Group Home
Incinerator Operator
Lead Hazard Reduction/Lead Management/Instructor
Licensing to work in a hospital, nursing home, intermediate care facility, home health agency, or hospice
Nurse Aide See DHS: Nurse Aide Testing Requirements for Military Personnel Military Training Verification
Poison Control
Public Health Nurse/Officer
Public Librarian
Residential Care Center (for children and youth)
Shelter Care Facility (provides care and supervision for children)
Solid Waste Disposal Facility Operator
Well Driller

The applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the credentialing agency or board oversees a particular license that the instruction obtained by the applicant is substantially equivalent to the instruction required for the initial credential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Define "service member."
A: "Service member" means a member of the U.S. armed forces, a member of a reserve unit of the U.S. armed forces, a member of the state defense force, or a member of a national guard unit of any state who is a resident of Wisconsin.

Q: How might I continue doing in the civilian world what I did in the military?
A: Check out O*NET. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, researchers, and more.

Q: I'm looking for a job. What other resources are available?
A. More job-related information is available on WDVA's Employment Assistance and WDVA Job Opportunities pages.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions?
A: Contact WDVA's Veterans Benefits Resource Center by email, phone 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387), or via our live web chat.