HB4794 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16688 AAS 30092 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
HB4794

Introduced , by Rep. William "Will" Davis

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act

Creates the Professional Apprenticeship Recognition Act. Defines terms. Provides that, notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who applies to the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation for licensure in a profession or occupation and who submits proof of the person's completion of an apprenticeship program in the profession or occupation shall be exempt from any training or education requirements for initial licensure in the profession or occupation. Provides that the license exemption shall not apply to any continued training or continuing education requirements that are necessary for the maintenance or renewal of a license. Provides that an applicant who qualifies for the license exemption shall be subject to any other requirements established by the Department as long as those requirements are not more onerous than the requirements for applicants for the same profession or occupation who have not completed an apprenticeship.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning regulation.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Professional Apprenticeship Recognition Act.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Apprentice" means a person who meets the following criteria:

(1) is at least 16 years of age, except when a higher age is required by law;

(2) is employed in an apprenticeable occupation;

(3) is a resident of this State; and

(4) is registered in this State with the United States Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship.

"Apprenticeship program" means a program registered with the United States Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship that has terms and conditions for the qualification, recruitment, selection, employment, and training of apprentices, including requiring a written apprenticeship agreement for an apprenticeship.

"Department" means the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.

Section 10. Training and education requirement exemption for apprentices.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a person who applies to the Department for licensure in a profession or occupation and who submits proof of the person's completion of an apprenticeship program in that profession or occupation shall be exempt from any training or education requirements for initial licensure in that profession or occupation.

(b) This Section does not apply to any continued training or continuing education requirements that are necessary for the maintenance or renewal of a license. An applicant for licensure in a profession or occupation who qualifies for the exemption under subsection (a) shall be subject to any other requirements established by the Department as long as those requirements are not more onerous than the requirements for applicants for the same profession or occupation who have not completed an apprenticeship.