--- title: "ASAE Urges Veto of Missouri Credentialing Bills" id: "42765" type: "post" slug: "asae-urges-veto-of-missouri-credentialing-bills" published_at: "2018-05-31T18:26:23+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T22:01:48+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/05/31/asae-urges-veto-of-missouri-credentialing-bills/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2018/05/31/asae-urges-veto-of-missouri-credentialing-bills.md" excerpt: "Two bills passed by the Missouri legislature define certification as a government function, threatening voluntary certifications offered by associations and other credentialing organizations. ASAE is pressing the incoming governor to veto the measures." taxonomy_category: - "Advocacy" taxonomy_post_tag: - "Advocacy" - "AssociationsNow" - "Business" - "Credentialing" - "Legislation" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "C-Level" - "Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » ASAE Urges Veto of Missouri Credentialing Bills ***Update, 6/7/18:** On June 1, just before leaving office, former Gov. Eric Greitens signed the Professional Employer Organization Act. ASAE said it “has had productive discussions with staff from Missouri Senator Jeanie Riddle’s office and will continue to pursue a legislative fix,” adding that it “will be working with a coalition of like-minded organizations concerned about state certification/licensing legislation around the country and will keep the association community informed when there are developments that warrant attention.”* On the heels of a successful effort to protect the use of professional certifications in Louisiana, ASAE [delivered a letter (opens in a new tab)](https://www.thepowerofa.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ASAE-HB-1719-and-HB-1500-Letter-5.30.2018-1.pdf) Wednesday to Missouri Lt. Gov. Mike Parson urging him to veto two bills that would negatively affect holders of voluntary certifications in that state. The two bills, HB 1719 and HB 1500, have already been passed by the Missouri legislature and include similar language intended to modify the state’s approach to the licensing of occupations and professional employer organizations. While neither bill prohibits private certification, the text defines certification as a “program in which the government grants nontransferable recognition to an individual.” By redefining “certification” as an exclusively government function, the bills as drafted push Missouri to start supplanting private certification programs. ASAE has contacted Parson because he will automatically ascend to governor on Friday following Gov. Eric Greitens’ resignation. ASAE also [opposed a bill in Louisiana](https://associationsnow.com/2018/04/louisiana-bill-takes-aim-professional-credentials/) that would have restricted individuals holding a voluntary certification from using the term “certified” in their title. After significant opposition, [the bill was amended](https://associationsnow.com/2018/05/louisiana-certification-bill-amended-to-address-association-concerns/) by the state legislature to simply call for a review of all occupational licensing regulations over a five-year period. That bill is currently awaiting Gov. John Bel Edwards’ signature. The Missouri bills differ from Louisiana’s but pose a similar threat to both credentialing programs that are incorporated into state licensure laws (such as in the medical and accounting fields) and voluntary certifications that are not required to practice an occupation in any state but demonstrate an individual’s professional knowledge and competence in a field (such as [ASAE’s CAE credential (opens in a new tab)](https://www.asaecenter.org/programs/cae-certification) ). “Nongovernmental professional credentialing is vital to America’s workforce,” ASAE said in its letter this week. “The purpose of these credentialing programs is not to burden skilled workers, but rather to allow them to demonstrate their professional capability and understanding of their field. It would be severely detrimental to devalue credentials held by Missouri workers.” The Missouri state capitol. (benkrut/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Chris Vest, CAE](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/) Chris Vest, CAE, is director of public policy at ASAE. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/chris-vest-cae/) Tags: [#Advocacy](https://associationsnow.com/tag/advocacy/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#Credentialing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/credentialing/) [#Legislation](https://associationsnow.com/tag/legislation/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [PodcastAssociations NOW Presents: Powering Advocacy-Why PACs Matter for AssociationsNovember 20, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/11/20/associations-now-presents-powering-advocacy-why-pacs-matter-for-associations/) - [PodcastNavigating Tax Reform: Advocacy for Associations and NonprofitsDecember 19, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/12/19/navigating-tax-reform-advocacy-for-associations-and-nonprofits/) - [VideoASAE Legislative 2025 Fly-InApril 4, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/04/04/asae-legislative-2025-fly-in/) - [VideoThe Career Moves Every Association Leader Needs Right NowSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/the-career-moves-every-association-leader-needs-right-now/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2018%2F05%2F31%2Fasae-urges-veto-of-missouri-credentialing-bills%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !