The Legislature hereby finds and declares that there are many veterans returning to civilian life from active duty in the Armed Forces who had extensive academic training and experience while in the Armed Forces in various health occupations; that in many instances, the level of academic training and experience is equal to or exceeds that received by a student studying and training for a similar health occupation in civilian life; that such veterans should not be required to undergo further educational training or obtain additional experience in civilian life before being eligible for examination for licensing or registration in a comparable civilian health occupation; that in the public interest, however, it is necessary that the competency of such veterans be determined and evaluated by examination before they are so licensed or registered; and that certain academic training and experience of such veterans in the Armed Forces should be sufficient to permit such examination or examinations as may be required for the licensing or registration as a registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, dental hygienist, professional sanitarian or physical therapist. This article is enacted in view of these findings and shall be liberally construed in the light thereof.
