Extending Universal Licensing Recognition (ULR) Laws to Licensure Renewal: A Pharmacist Case Study.

Abstract

Universal Licensing Recognition (ULR) laws have emerged as a key policy tool to improve license mobility by allowing licensure obtained in one state to be more easily recognized in another. While these reforms have increased access to licensure and employment opportunities, they generally apply only to initial licensure, not to renewal. Nearly all state boards of pharmacy require continuing education (CE) for license renewal, yet CE requirements vary significantly across states in terms of hours, topics, formats, reporting frequency, and approved providers. These discrepancies create substantial administrative burdens for pharmacists maintaining active licenses in multiple jurisdictions. This article examines the implications of extending ULR principles to license renewal, using a case study of a pharmacist licensed in West Virginia and neighboring states. The analysis suggests that pharmacists working across state lines often default to the most restrictive CE standards to ensure compliance, incurring unnecessary cost and complexity. We highlight Idaho's 2024 reform to its ULR statute, which exempts multistate licensees from duplicative CE requirements if they comply with their home state's CE standards and limits overall CE burdens based on regional averages. These reforms offer a promising model for pharmacy regulators seeking to reduce administrative friction, support workforce flexibility, and enhance access to care without compromising professional standards.