This study follows up an earlier study in which we examined the scope and burden of 102 occupational licensing laws in the United States for low‐ and moderate‐income occupations. Using data collected in 2017, findings indicate that the licences studied require of aspiring workers, on average, US$262 in fees, one exam, and about 12 months of education and training, plus minimum grade and age levels. Data also indicate striking disparities in requirements within and between occupations and within and between states. A comparison with licensing requirements in 2012 indicates that requirements have generally increased, with the greatest increase being in fees. Among states, Alaska and Hawaii saw the greatest increases in licensing requirements.
This study examines the scope and burden of occupational licensing laws in the United States for 102 low-and moderate-income occupations. Findings indicate that the licences studied require of aspiring workers, on average, $US209 in fees, one exam, and about nine months of education and training, plus minimum grade and age levels. Data also indicate striking disparities in requirements within and between occupations and within and between states. These inconsistencies likely reflect not the relative public health and safety risks of occupations, but instead the lobbying prowess of practitioners in securing laws to shut out competition.JEL codes: D45, J44, L15, L51, L84.
This document is a compendium of License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing, 3rd Edition published by the Institute for Justice. License to Work provides an updated snapshot of licensing’s breadth and burdens for 102 lower-income occupations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and, in a first for this edition, Puerto Rico. It also presents an overview of major changes in licensing requirements for the 102 occupations that have been tracked since the 2017 edition. The compendium is focused on Puerto Rico and features all the information on occupational licenses on the Island included in the report. The purpose is to provide readers with a quick reference guide on the situation of occupational licenses in Puerto Rico.
Este documento es un compendio de License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing, 3rd Edition publicado por el Institute for Justice. License to Work proporciona una instantánea actualizada de la amplitud y las cargas de las licencias para 102 ocupaciones de bajos ingresos en los 50 estados, el Distrito de Columbia y, por primera vez en esta edición, Puerto Rico. También presenta una descripción general de los principales cambios en los requisitos de licencia para las 102 ocupaciones que se han rastreado desde la edición de 2017. El compendio está enfocado en Puerto Rico y presenta toda la información sobre licencias ocupacionales en la Isla incluida en el informe. El propósito es brindar a los lectores una guía de referencia rápida sobre la situación de las licencias ocupacionales en Puerto Rico.
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