WA removes legal immigration status requirements for professional licenses

Washington residents without permanent legal immigration status will soon be able to get professional licenses for jobs once closed to them. 

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday signed House Bill 1889, which allows the use of individual tax identification numbers — often used by immigrants without legal status to file taxes — instead of social security numbers on professional license applications.

Some professions, like optometry, private investigators and notaries, require applicants to be United States citizens to qualify for licensure. The bill also removes those requirements. 

“This bill will open doors for careers in teaching, health care, accounting and many other professions to those who are ready to join the Washington workforce,” Inslee said at the bill signing.

Rules dictating which professional licenses require social security numbers are often unclear and can discourage applicants. During committee hearings on the bill, legislators heard from people who said they have had to pursue alternate professions because licensing requirements barred them from their dream jobs.

One testifier, Maria Barrios, said she wants to go to Yakima Valley Community College to pursue dentistry, but her academic advisor told her she wouldn’t be able to due to her immigration status. 

“If I could access a professional license, I would be working on something I’m passionate about,” said Barrios, who recently graduated from Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington. “Let people like me pursue a career. You can open more paths to more students.” 

Washington’s unauthorized population has risen in recent years; Pew Research Center estimates that as of 2021, 3.9% of Washington’s residents are unauthorized, or roughly 300,000 people. 

Legislative staff said it’s difficult to estimate how many people might pursue jobs under the new licensing guidelines. However, representatives of several local universities told lawmakers the bill would benefit their undocumented students. 

University of Washington Tacoma’s representative, Reese Ramirez, said the school enrolls roughly 200 undocumented students — about 5% of the school’s population. 

“These students at UW T are just a small portion of whom this legislation will affect in our community,” Ramirez told lawmakers in January. “Students at UW T have family members, friends and co-workers whose immigration status, not their professional qualifications, prevent them from applying for professional licenses.” 

“There is an untapped reserve of qualified workers who can make a difference and a contribution to our state’s economy,” Ramirez added.

The new licensing rules will go into effect July 1, 2024.