Occupational Licensing: Assessing State Policy and Practice – Project Summary
Over the last 60 years practice a profession, has grown from about 1 in 20 to nearly 1 in 4. When implemented properly, occupational licensing can help protect the health and safety of consumers by requiring practitioners to undergo a designated amount of training and education in their field. However, differences and disparities in occupational […]
2021 Survey of Universal License Recognition Laws
Universal License Recognition (ULR) is a form of occupational licensing in which a state establishes a uniform process to grant recognition to professional licenses issued by another state. Between 2018 and October 2021, 18 states implemented new or amended existing license portability provisions that may be defined as ULR policies. While other forms of license […]
Professional and Occupational Regulation: U.S. State Regulatory Structures
“Occupational and professional regulation is a process by which a government agency grants permissionto individuals to engage in a specified occupation or profession upon finding that applicants haveattained at least the minimal degree of competence required to ensure that the public’s health, safety,and welfare will be reasonably well protected.” 1 The structures of the regulatory […]
Assessing State Policies and Practices
Occupational licensing has emerged as a chief policy issue for state leaders in recent years. While licensing serves as a tool to safeguard public health and safety, it can come with economic and social costs. States are uniquely tasked with harmonizing the competing interests of maintaining high standards of public health and safety and ensuring […]
Promising Practices on Occupational Licensing Requirements and Portability Options
For licensed individuals seeking to relocate or work in another state, navigating the portability options and differences in licensing requirements can be a daunting task. Additional challenges can also exist for certain population groups such as military spouses, who on average move much more frequently, and individuals with criminal records, who face specific restrictions to […]
Promising Practices on Licensure Mobility
A key barrier imposed by occupational licensing is the inability of some professionals licensed by one state to work in another state. Varying licensure requirements across the states often inhibit multistate practice and delay licensees from working in their occupations upon relocation to a new state. However, there are options to improve license portability. Some […]
The State of Occupational Licensing Research, State Policies and Trends
Occupational licensing has grown dramatically over the years, leading to a larger share of American workers who need a license to perform their work. Accounting for just 5 percent of the employed population in the 1950s, licensed workers now comprise nearly 25 percent of all employed Americans.1 Spurred by concerns for public safety, consumer protection […]
Occupational Licensure: Interstate Compacts in Action
A practical overview of how interstate compacts are expanding workforce mobility, reducing administrative barriers and helping licensed professionals practice across state lines. This resource highlights real-world applications and explains how compacts function as state-led solutions to shared licensure challenges.