LANSING – Firefighters who have trained and been certified in other states will be eligible for employment in Michigan, under legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.

“We want to welcome residents from other states and make it as easy as possible for them to find jobs here,” Snyder said. “This new law also will help municipalities save money, as they do not have to pay to retrain new hires.”

Senate Bill 372, sponsored by state Sen. Dale Zorn, directs the state fire marshal to waive examination requirements for firefighters who have completed a program that meets or exceeds the standards for Firefighter I and II found in the National Fire Protection Association Standards used by all 50 states.

The measure was approved unanimously in both chambers and is now Public Act 203 of 2015.

“Recruiting and retaining firemen in local fire departments is difficult and expensive,” said Zorn, R-Ida. The new law will help local fire authorities staff their departments at appropriate levels, he said.