occupational licenses; apprenticeships

HB2294 - occupational licenses; apprenticeships

Education

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Cesar Aguilar, Anna Abeytia, Lorena Austin, Seth Blattman, Junelle Cavero, Janeen Connolly, Patty Contreras, Quantá Crews, Brian Garcia, Aaron Márquez, Mariana Sandoval, Stephanie Simacek, Betty J Villegas
Last action: 2026-01-21
Official status: House second read
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The exact rules that occupational regulating authorities can create are not detailed in the summary text.

Apprenticeships for Occupational Licenses

This bill allows people who complete approved apprenticeship programs to get licenses, certificates or registrations in their chosen occupation.

What This Bill Does

Allows occupational regulating authorities to set criteria for granting licenses through apprenticeship programs.
Requires applicants to finish a U.S. Department of Labor-approved or Arizona Department of Economic Security-approved apprenticeship program.
Ensures that exam requirements do not unfairly favor those who attended vocational schools over apprentices.

Who It Names or Affects

Occupational regulating authorities in Arizona
People applying for licenses, certificates or registrations through apprenticeship programs

Terms To Know

Apprenticeship program: A work-based learning experience where a person learns the skills of a particular trade under supervision.
Occupational regulating authority: An organization that sets standards and issues licenses for certain professions or trades in Arizona.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if an applicant fails the exam.
It is unclear how existing license holders will be affected by this new law.

Bill History

2026-01-21 House
House second read
2026-01-20 House
House Rules: None
2026-01-20 House
House Commerce: None
2026-01-20 House
House first read

Official Summary Text

HB2294 - occupational licenses; apprenticeships

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

HB2294 - 572R - I Ver

REFERENCE TITLE:
occupational licenses; apprenticeships

State of Arizona

House of Representatives

Fifty-seventh Legislature

Second Regular Session

2026

HB 2294

Introduced by

Representatives
Aguilar: Abeytia, Austin, Blattman, Cavero, Connolly, Contreras P, Crews,
Garcia, M�rquez, Sandoval, Simacek, Villegas

AN
ACT

amending title 32, chapter 48, Arizona
Revised Statutes, by adding article 3; relating to professions and occupations.

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1. Title 32, chapter 48, Arizona
Revised Statutes, is amended by adding article 3, to read:

ARTICLE 3. APPRENTICESHIPS

START_STATUTE
32-4841.

Occupational regulating authorities; apprenticeships;
examinations; rules

A. Notwithstanding any other law, an
occupational regulating authority under this title shall establish criteria
necessary for granting licenses, certificates or registrations, as appropriate,
through apprenticeship programs. The criteria shall provide for the
following:

1. An applicant shall complete a
United States department of labor-APPROVED or a department of economic
security-approved apprenticeship program in the occupational area in
which the applicant seeks licensure, certification or registration, either at a
school that is LICENSED by this state or by training with a person who is
approved by the department of economic security to conduct apprenticeships and
who holds the same license, certificate or registration for which the applicant
is applying.

2. If the occupational regulating
authority requires successful completion of an EXAMINATION for licensure,
certification or registration, the applicant must Successfully pass that
examination. The passing score on the EXAMINATION may not
DISCRIMINATE between an applicant from an apprenticeship program and an
applicant from a vocational or trade school.

B. An occupational regulating
authority may adopt rules to implement this section.
END_STATUTE