Changes in professional licensing debated

By Christopher Quinn

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Secretary of State Brian Kemp sat for questioning Wednesday by some members of the professional licensing boards he wants to overhaul.

Kemp is working on legislation that would give his staff rather than the boards the ability to approve or disapprove licenses for professions such as plumbers and nurses. Kemp called the meeting at the Capitol to explain his rationale -- he wants to speed up the licensing and disciplinary processes. He thinks the boards ought to concentrate on policy and standards, which his staff would enforce.

Board members expressed concerns such as whether a new seven-member super board Kemp proposes to oversee all licensing and disciplinary hearings would have the expertise and time to handle the work that 42 boards and more than 300 board members now do.

Kemp hopes to get a legislator to sponsor his bill within the next few days, he said.