NEW YORK (April 3, 2013) — The largest city in the nation passed legislation making it easier for veterans to get licenses, certificates and permits to work, thanks to new laws the mayor signed April 2 in New York City.
New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg enacted a local law to allow applicants of city licenses, certificates and permits to apply qualifying military experience to satisfy the experience prerequisite on a year-for-year basis.
U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton Commander Col. Eluyn Gines and Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Prince, garrison sergeant major, were on hand to witness the bill signing at the invitation of the bill’s sponsor, New York City Council Member Sara M. González. Fort Hamilton is the only active military installation in the city.
“We are grateful for all efforts to maximize job opportunities, including these laws so that veterans can more easily work in New York City in a trade they performed with the Army during a time of war,” Gines said.
A second local law will include comprehensive information and links on the Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs website to federal, state and city job-seeker resources. Links to be featured on the site include the U.S. Department of Labor, the New York state Department of Labor, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the New York state Department of Veterans Affairs, government websites that translate military occupation skills to civilian jobs, the federal veterans job bank and any other online tools or resources to connect veterans with employment opportunities.
The legislation passed with a unanimous vote of 48-0, March 19. The military experience law will take effect immediately. The MOVA job-seeker resources will take effect 90 days after its enactment.
Examples of trades that require city licenses for which military experience can be applied include construction, retail, vendor, garage and parking, towing, sightseeing, pedicabs and newsstands.
For complete lists of industries in New York City that require licenses, visit http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/business/BT_apply.shtml. For licenses required by New York state, visit http://www.dos.ny.gov/licensing/.
New York City already waives one application fee for veterans to take a New York City Civil Service examination and grants additional credit on competitive examinations for qualified veterans.