A common hurdle for military spouses across the country is obtaining access to meaningful careers and employment while supporting a military lifestyle. In response to these challenges, a renewed interest in holistic employment opportunities for military spouses has grown significantly over the last decade.
Although current governing systems are far from perfect, strides to reduce expensive, redundant professional licensing fees and to encourage reciprocity among the states are underway. Along with that are opportunities for military spouses to build portable careers and sustainable businesses that thrive throughout the challenges of a military career.
Many organizations and individuals have pushed relentlessly to change how the U.S. government, the Department of War, and civilian entities value and view military spouse work life.
These are some well-known policy change-maker advocates: Blue Star Families, National Military Family Association, Hiring Our Heroes, Military Officers of America, Military Spouse JD Network, and Military Family Advisory Network.
Start with any of these to find more information about how they serve military spouse education and careers.
Department of Labor’s Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition
At first glance, military spouse credentials and licensing don’t appear to be major obstacles to overcome. However, the financial burdens and extensive proof needed to reestablish certifications can inhibit the transition after each PCS. In some cases, the red tape is so extensive that refiling for credentials takes longer than the two- to three-year duty station, leaving overqualified spouses underemployed.
It’s challenging to learn the local laws on how to transfer a license as a military spouse, but progress is being made. Some professions already have interstate reciprocity agreements. Military spouses who are licensed attorneys, EMS personnel, nurses, physical therapists, and doctors already have specific language written for their transfers.
Most of these professions have advocacy groups that strive to maintain momentum on military spouse licensing issues. For example, the Military Spouse JD Network (MSJDN) has been integral in paving the way for attorneys to practice state-to-state legally.
Licensing and Reimbursement Laws
The recent creation of multiple laws that support military spouse employment has removed some of the roadblocks they've encountered. They can now apply to transfer their credentials and/or be reimbursed for licensing fees if their spouse’s PCS has caused the need for new applications, exams, or fees. If you are a spouse searching for guidance on these career transfer-related topics, one of your first stops will be the Department of Labor’s Military Spouse Interstate License Recognition. Here, you can learn the latest ins and outs of portability and reimbursement.
What Is the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act?
Although the Military Spouse Residency Relief Act isn’t directly related to licensing and reimbursement laws, it affects how military spouses’ income is taxed. The MSRRA describes how to pay income taxes when living in a different location due to military orders.
Now military spouses can choose one of three ways for picking their state’s residency for filing income taxes: the service member’s residence or domicile, the spouse’s residence or domicile, or the service member’s permanent duty station.
Military Spouse Licensing and Business Costs Reimbursement Program
It's been a long, hard haul, and dozens of military spouse-centric organizations have worked tirelessly to achieve today’s reimbursement progress. Military spouses can finally seek financial relief from the Military Spouse Licensing Reimbursement Program. The program was created as part of the 2018 NDAA and later solidified in the 2023 Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act.
The act directs each branch to reimburse military spouses up to $1,000 for licensure and certification fees if a PCS was mandated. Active duty and Reserve spouses are eligible while their spouse is serving on active duty. The reimbursement covers military moves within the United States or OCONUS to stateside.
Relocation Business Expense Reimbursement
Congress also addressed military spouses' business start-up costs in 2023’s NDAA. Now, spouses can be reimbursed up to $1,000 for specified moving-related business costs. The money covers investments like business equipment, IT support, permits, inspections, and registrations.
Each branch owns the details on how they’ll implement the program, so it’s helpful to research your base’s employment outlets as your first line of information. This additional funding means some military spouses can receive $2,000 to maintain their businesses after a PCS move.
Entrepreneurial and Transitional Resources for Military Spouses
Military spouses are unmatched as inventors of portable businesses. Through necessity and an entrepreneurial spirit, many have found tremendous financial and personal success by starting a small business. Or two. Or three! However, no spouse can work entirely alone forever. To grow their businesses, seek support, and simply swap best-practice advice, milspouse business owners must find like-minded groups and individuals to stay sharp and improve their businesses.
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Now, more than ever before, it could be argued that military spouse advocacy is at its best, especially through the lens of entrepreneurship. Not just during active duty time, but for life thereafter. The high quality of the available resources is groundbreaking and is likely to continue to thrive as younger spouses expect satisfying work conducive to a military lifestyle.
From mentorship and accelerators to Entrepreneurship 101 and beyond, military spouse-led organizations, in conjunction with for-profit and nonprofit groups, have pioneered and created business programs straight from personal frustrations and challenges. These initiatives aim to pass along everything they’ve learned to the next round of spouses eager to learn what it's like to be a military spouse and owner of a thriving business.
Take a look at some of the organizations serving military spouse entrepreneurs.
Grow with Google
Google and Hiring Our Heroes created Career Forward. This program gives spouses direct access to Google Career Certificates for in-demand fields like project management, UX, data analytics, and IT support.
After spouses earn a certificate, they can apply for fellowships with one of HOH's massive network of more than 400 employers, including top companies like Google, Booz Allen Hamilton, Verizon, and Deloitte.
Patriot Boot Camp
Since 2012, Patriot Boot Camp has led the way for military spouses and veteran entrepreneurs. Innovation is the driving force behind its Boot Camp program, which provides access to tailored entrepreneurial programming in the tech sector, access to a vast network of experts, and follow-up conferences with a robust alumni network.
The Rosie Network
Located across the country from California to Virginia, Rosie Chapters serve military spouse business owners by providing the tools they need to begin their entrepreneurship journey. They also strengthen milspouse businesses through a version of their award-winning Service2CEO training program.
Spouses who apply to join a cohort have access to meetings led by subject matter experts, one-on-one mentorship with professionals, and behind-the-scenes support and networking.
Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)
IVMF is well-known for its deep connections supporting military families on numerous levels. The organization recently acquired Bunker Labs, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veteran and military spouse entrepreneurs.
Bunker Lab’s mission statement reads, “Bunker Labs provides community, programs, and courses to help military veterans and military spouses start and grow successful businesses and startups.”
The U.S. Small Business Administration
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) created an entrepreneurial training program for transitioning veterans and military spouses. SBA supports military spouse entrepreneurs with training, counseling, and other resources.
Military spouses can take in-person and virtual classes specific to business ownership. The SBA also connects spouses with powerful networks such as the Women’s Business Centers and Small Business Development Center.
LinkedIn Veterans and Military Program
Partnering with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program (SECO), LinkedIn offers premium account access for military spouses for one year. This feature provides access to LinkedIn’s library of over 16,000 learning courses, some of which include guidance on working in a freelance or remote capacity.
Looking to the Future in Military Spouse Careers
Today, military spouse employment opportunities are easier to come by, but there's still work to be done so that any spouse can find their desired career path. There is help for licensing reimbursement and transfer, as well as pursuing dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. Staying aware of the opportunities and taking advantage of the dedicated programs is crucial.
It's also up to the spouse to stay connected with their local and state laws. As states look at the need to address the challenges of military moves and the effects of professional transfers, more and more state governments will take action. Most previous policy changes have had bipartisan support and moved quickly through the legislative process, which is positive news for military spouses searching for careers.
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