New Changes for Reciprocity in New Hampshire
Effective October 15, 2023, the Office of Professional Licensure and Certification’s is accepting license applications to implement
HB 594 (2023) for the following license types:
- Advisory Board of Body Art Practitioners
- Body Art Practitioner
- Advisory Board of Massage Therapists
- Massage Therapist
- Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals
- MLADC
- Board of Barbering, Cosmetology and Esthetics
- Barber
- Cosmetologist
- Esthetician
- Manicurist
- Master Barber
- Board of Dental Examiners
- Dental Hygienist
- Dentist
- Board of Medicine
- Physician Assistant
- Physician
- Board of Mental Health Practice
- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
- Clinical Social Worker
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Board of Nursing
- Licensed Nursing Assistant
- Licensed Practical Nurse
- Registered Nurse
- Board of Pharmacy
- Certified Pharmacy Technician
- Pharmacist
- Board of Psychology
- Psychologist
- Board of Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinarian
- Electricians’ Board
- Journeyman Electrician
- Master Electrician
Application Process
Individuals currently licensed in good standing in a qualifying jurisdiction may obtain licensure in New Hampshire by submitting the following to the Office of Licensure and Certification:
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Application Requirement |
Resource |
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Note: Check or Money Order should be made payable to ‘Treasurer, State of New Hampshire’”
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Please mail to: The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification |
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Note: Mandatory $28.00 fee for inclusion in the Professional’s Health Program for the following license types only:
Note: Check or Money Order should be made payable to ‘Treasurer, State of New Hampshire’”
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OPLC Laws and Rules | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
For more information on the PHP, please visit: https://www.nhphp.org/. |
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Verification of Licensure in the jurisdiction(s) in which the applicant is currently licensed |
Per Plc 313.05(a), this verification may be a printout or screen capture of the licensing board’s portal showing the individual is licensed to practice and that the license is in good standing. |
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FBI/Criminal History Records Check for the following license types:
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Obtain a Criminal Background Check (Options B or C)
Note: Under Plc 313.07(c), the OPLC may issue a provisional license if the applicant:
The status of a license issued on a provisional basis will be displayed on the OPLC License Lookup page as “Active-Provisional.”
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Qualifying Jurisdictions
Under RSA 310-A:1-q, the Office may only issue licenses to professionals who have an active license in good standing rom another jurisdiction if that jurisdiction’s licensing requirements are substantially similar to New Hampshire’s licensing requirements (a “qualifying jurisdiction.”)
To be considered substantially similar to New Hampshire’s licensing requirements, the jurisdiction must meet the criteria established in the Office’s interim rules, which can be found here.
Qualifying jurisdictions for each license type are listed below.
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Advisory Board of Body Art Practitioners |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Body Art Practitioner |
Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia |
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Advisory Board of Massage Therapists |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Massage Therapist |
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin
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Board of Licensing for Alcohol and Other Drug Use Professionals |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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MLADC |
California (CATC IV, CATC V, LAADC), Georgia (CAADC), Maryland (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor), Massachusetts (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor I), Nevada (Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Counselor), New Jersey (Licensed Clinical Alcohol Drug Counselor), North Dakota (Licensed Master Addiction Counselor), Oklahoma (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor/Mental Health), South Carolina (Addiction Counselor Associate), South Dakota (Licensed Addiction Counselor), Vermont (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor), Virginia (Licensed Substance Abuse Treatment Practitioner) |
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Board of Barbering, Cosmetology & Esthetics |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Barber |
All U.S. states and District of Columbia |
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Cosmetologist |
All U.S. states and District of Columbia |
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Esthetician |
All U.S. states and District of Columbia |
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Manicurist |
All U.S. states and District of Columbia |
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Master Barber |
Delaware, Georgia, North Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia |
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Board of Dental Examiners |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Dental Hygienist |
Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
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Dentist
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Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
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Board of Medicine |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Physician Assistant |
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia |
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Physician |
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming
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Board of Mental Health Practice |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Clinical Mental Health Counselor |
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming |
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Clinical Social Worker (Independent) |
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia |
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Marriage and Family Therapist |
Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming |
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Board of Nursing |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Licensed Nursing Assistant |
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia |
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Licensed Practical Nurse (single state only) |
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia |
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Registered Nurse (single state only) |
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia |
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Board of Pharmacy |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Certified Pharmacy Technician |
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Utah, Virginia, and Washington, |
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Pharmacist |
All U.S. States and the District of Columbia |
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Board of Psychology |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Psychologist |
Arizona, Arkansas, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
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Board of Veterinary Medicine |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Veterinarian |
All U.S. states and the District of Columbia |
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Electricians’ Board |
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License Type |
Qualifying Jurisdictions |
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Journeyman Electrician |
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
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Master Electrician
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Alabama (Electrical Contractor), Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, (Electrical Contractor), Delaware, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma (Electrical Contractor), South Dakota (Electrical Contractor), Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming |
I do not see my license type listed. Will my license type be available for reciprocity under HB 594 in the future?
The Office anticipates filing permanent rules establishing the criteria for endorsement applications in Fall 2023. These rules will include additional professions. Please check the Office’s webpage on rules for further updates. OPLC Laws and Rules | NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification.
I hear New Hampshire has adopted universal recognition of licensure. I have a license in another state. Does that mean I can practice in New Hampshire?
If New Hampshire requires a license to practice a particular profession, you must first obtain a New Hampshire license prior to practicing that profession in this State. HB 594 does not permit individuals to practice without a license in New Hampshire if one is otherwise required. HB 594 does allow qualified individuals to obtain licensure by reciprocity.
What is reciprocity?
Licensing reciprocity is a state’s recognition of a license in another state as satisfying the minimum requirements to obtain a license in that state. For example, an applicant who qualifies for licensure based on reciprocity does not need to submit transcripts to demonstrate completion of required education. Licensure by reciprocity offers a more streamlined path to licensure and is often faster than obtaining a license through traditional means.
I have a license in another state. Am I eligible under HB 594 for a license in New Hampshire?
Please see the list of “Qualifying Jurisdictions” for each license type currently eligible to apply for licensure under HB 594.
How did the Office select the license types to include in its interim rules implementing HB 594?
The Office selected professions to include in its interim rules proposal after considering the current licensure requirements for reciprocity applicants, the availability of other means for reciprocity (such as licensure compacts), and the volume of applications received by the Office.
I am licensed in a jurisdiction that is not considered a qualifying jurisdiction. I believe the jurisdiction qualifies as having substantially similar requirements. How do I request reconsideration of the Office’s determination?
Please submit a signed, written statement, pursuant to Plc 210.03, setting forth the decision you are requesting and the legal and factual basis for your request, to the attention of the Executive Director. Statements may be emailed to the Office at CustomerSupport@oplc.nh.gov or mailed to the following address:
The Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
Attn: Executive Director
Additional information concerning the process may be found in the Plc 200s, here.
I submitted an application prior to October 15, 2023, the effective date of the interim rules. Will I have to submit the documentation previously required?
No. As of October 15, 2023, the Office will process all endorsement applications for the professions that fall under Plc 313 under the new rules, unless the applicant is seeking a multistate license under a licensure compact.
How do I apply for a license based on reciprocity?
Please see the Reciprocity page for specific information about application requirements.
If I obtain a license through reciprocity, do I have to complete continuing education?
All licensees who obtain a New Hampshire license through reciprocity shall complete all requirements to maintain their license, including continuing education if required by the applicable board.
How do I know my license is in “Good Standing”?
A license is in good standing if it is not currently encumbered, i.e., it is active and has not been suspended, revoked, surrendered, conditioned, or restricted in any way. See, e.g., Plc 304.02(c).
I have a license in a qualifying jurisdiction, as well as a license in a jurisdiction that does not qualify for endorsement. Can I apply for licensure through reciprocity?
Yes. Provided your licenses are in good standing, and you have a license from a qualifying jurisdiction, you are eligible to apply for licensure through reciprocity under HB 594.
I have multiple licenses in qualifying jurisdictions. One license is encumbered. Can I apply for licensure through reciprocity?
Having a license that is encumbered disqualifies an individual from obtaining a license under HB 594. However, you may qualify for a license through the traditional application process. Please consult your board homepage to obtain information on this additional pathway to licensure in New Hampshire.
I do not have a license in a qualifying state. Does this mean I cannot obtain a license in New Hampshire?
No. If you have a license in another jurisdiction, but it is not a qualifying jurisdiction, you may apply for licensure using the traditional application process. Please consult your board homepage to obtain information on this additional pathway to licensure in New Hampshire.
Where do I send my application?
Please submit your application, fee, and corresponding documents in one submission via mail:
Office of Professional Licensure and Certification
7 Eagle Square
Concord, NH 03301
What does Active-Provisional mean?
If your license status is “Active-Provisional,” we have not received the results of your criminal history records check. Upon receipt of those results, the Office will either change your status to active, or issue a Notice of Hearing to appear before the board to address the results of your criminal history records check. A license with an “Active-Provisional” status has no restrictions.
How much is the application fee?
Please consult the fees applicable to your board, which are listed in Plc 1002s. Additionally, the license types under the following boards, which are included in the Professional’s Health Program, shall pay a $28.00 mandatory fee pursuant to Plc 1001.08:
- Board of Licensing for Alcohol and other Drug use Professionals
- Board of Dental Examiners
- Board of Medicine
- Board of Mental Health Practice
- Board of Pharmacy
- Board of Psychology
- Board of Veterinary Medicine.
- PLC 1001 Adopted
Archive: Reciprocity Licensing