California License Portability
California is in 0 of 8 major interstate licensure compacts. Below: every compact that covers CA, plus the professions that fall outside the compact system (where VAEIA 2022 is your fallback).
Compacts California IS in
California is not currently a member of any major occupational licensure compact we track. Your fallback is VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a — the federal portability law for military spouse licenses, which applies regardless of compact membership.
Compacts California is NOT in
For these professions, your license to CA relies on VAEIA 2022 portability or a state-by-state reciprocity application. Check with the licensing board on arrival.
VAEIA 2022 / 50 U.S.C. § 4025a requires California to recognize your out-of-state professional license when you relocate due to military orders. Effective December 23, 2024. Applies even when no compact exists for your profession.
If a CA licensing board pushes back, cite the statute and refer them to the DOJ Servicemembers Initiative guidance at justice.gov/servicemembers/professional-license-portability.