What is Occupational Licensing?
An “occupational license” is, put simply, government permission to work in a particular field. To earn the license, an aspiring worker must clear various hurdles, such as earning a certain amount of education or training or passing an exam. In the 1950s, only one in 20 U.S. workers needed the government’s permission to pursue their chosen occupation. Today, that figure stands at almost one in four.
Bartender Occupational Licensing
License required in 12 states
82nd most burdensome licensing requirements among moderate-income occupations
Average Fee for License:$8
What They Do
Bartenders or mixologists mix and serve drinks to patrons directly or through waitstaff.
Bartender Licensing Overview
Twelve states require a licence to work as a Bartender. On average, these laws require $8 in fees, 0 days of education and about 1 exam. Bartender Licenses have the 82nd most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
Where is a Bartender the most regulated?
Out of the 12 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Bartender has the highest burden in New Mexico. New Mexico requires $0 in fees, 1 exams, no experience, and 4.5 clock hours education.
Where is a Bartender the least regulated?
Out of the 12 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Bartender has the lowest burden in Kansas. Kansas requires $0 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is a Bartender license the most expensive?
An occupational license for a Bartender costs the most in Indiana. Indiana requires $45 in fees, 1 exams, no experience, and 2 clock hours education.
Where is a Bartender license the least expensive?
An occupational license for a Bartender costs the least in New Mexico, Alaska, Utah, Alabama, Washington, Wisconsin, Louisiana, Rhode Island, Kansas where the license costs $0.
Where does it take the longest to obtain a Bartender license?
An occupational license for a Bartender takes the longest to obtain in New Mexico. It takes 0.8 days (0 years). New Mexico requires $0 in fees, 1 exams, no experience, and 4.5 clock hours education.
Where is it fastest to obtain a Bartender license?
An occupational license for a Bartender takes the least time to obtain in Kansas. It takes 0 days. Kansas requires $0 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
What states require exams for a Bartender license?
To obtain an occupational license for a Bartender there is at least one exam required in: New Mexico, Alaska, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah, Alabama, Washington, Indiana, Louisiana, Rhode Island.
Thirteen states license bartenders. On average, these laws require $7 in fees, half a day of education and about one exam. Twelve states require a short course lasting between two and five hours, and nine states require an exam. Of the 102 occupations studied, bartender has the 84th most burdensome licensing requirements and ranks as the 78th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.
States Ranked by Average Licensing Burden for 102 Lower-Income Occupations
More Burdensome Less Burdensome
Based on data released in November 2022| Burden Rank | State | Occupations Licensed | Fees | Estimated Calendar Days Lost | Education | Experience | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Mexico | 66 | $0 | 0.8 | 4.5 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| 2 | Alaska | 64 | $0 | 0.7 | 4 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| 3 | Oregon | 69 | $29 | 0.6 | 3.75 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| 4 | Tennessee | 69 | $20 | 0.6 | 3.5 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 5 | Utah | 64 | $0 | 0.5 | 3 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| 6 | Alabama | 63 | $0 | 0.5 | 3 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| 7 | Washington | 76 | $0 | 0.5 | 3 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 42 | $0 | 0.5 | 3 clock hours | None | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 9 | Indiana | 37 | $45 | 0.3 | 2 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| 10 | Louisiana | 77 | $0 | 0.3 | 2 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 70 | $0 | 0.3 | 2 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 12 | Kansas | 35 | $0 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 21 |
License to Work
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.
View Report