An update on universal recognition by state in 2026, shows 28 states and Puerto Rico with some form of universal recognition. In his February 26 summary, Edward Timmons, Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute, focuses on pending universal recognition legislation across the United States. He lists Kentucky and Michigan as new universal recognition states. Specifically, he comments that Kentucky HB 458 adds a “strong version of universal recognition” to the state. While in Michigan, HB 4924 contains language that “limits the applicability of the bill—essentially keeping in place existing processes for determining if licensees meet Michigan standards.” His summary also focuses on the states with bills that “strengthen,” as well as “weaken” existing laws.
CLEAR committee members shared the top trends, challenges and policy developments they see across jurisdictions on a recent Regulation Matters: a CLEAR conversation podcast. The February 17 discussion covered key themes from CLEAR’s mid-year business meeting, including AI in testing and fraud prevention, regulatory pressures, labor mobility, pathways for internationally trained practitioners and new methods for delegation and public protection. For example, committee member Carla Caro, chair of the Examination Resources and Advisory Committee (ERAC), spoke about AI, including how some use artificial intelligence to cheat on exams. “There was the recognition that there is an increase in bad actors involved in remote testing. These bad actors may be involved in capturing exam items and selling content, creating or substituting fake or mock candidates by obscuring or falsifying identities, or using avatars by using programs to create fake backgrounds that interfere with a room scan, thereby enabling test takers to consult resources or have another person in the room, or by creating ways to write answers in real time during remote testing.” To address the cheating, ERAC plans to develop informational resources, such as briefs and podcasts.
NASCIO released their 2026 federal advocacy priorities, including the initiative to reauthorize the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. NASCIO points to cybersecurity as a top issue for state CIOs for the past 10 years, as cited in the 2026 NASCIO State CIO Top 10 Priorities. The organization offers four recommendations related to the SLCGP. These include: “Congress should quickly pass long-term reauthorization of the SLCGP, and the president should sign it into law immediately.” NASCIO explains that the final version of the legislation must set achievable financial requirements for recipients and ensure adequate funding. According to NASCIO, “States have worked diligently to put the $1 billion provided through the four-year program to good use. It has been used to provide cybersecurity training, migrate to .gov domains, install multi-factor authentication and other vital cyber hygiene goals.”
The four recommendations from NASCIO for the cybersecurity grant program include:
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.
