Thirty-seven states license travel guides. On average, these laws require $323 in fees and 78 days of education and experience—the 77th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. However, because many states license travel guides, the occupation ranks as the 34th most widely and onerously licensed.
License requirements vary widely across states, as do the types of licenses recorded here (see Appendix B for details). For example, most licenses are for fishing guides and require only payment of a fee, but Maine’s license, which is the most burdensome, is for leading outdoor recreation expeditions (boating, camping, etc.). Maine’s license requires a minimum age of 18 years, three years (1,095 days) of experience, two exams and $181 in fees. Similarly, Wyoming’s license is for leading deer hunting expeditions and requires a minimum age of 18, over a year (about 368 days) of education and experience, two exams, and $2,370 in fees.
Seven states require tree trimmers to obtain licenses. On average, these laws require $325 in fees, over one and a half years (574 days) of education and experience, and around two exams—the 19th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because so few states license tree trimmers, the occupation only ranks as the 83rd most widely and onerously licensed.
Two of the licenses—California’s and Hawaii’s—are much more burdensome than the rest, requiring four years (1,460 days) of experience. These are contractor licenses that apply only to tree trimming jobs at or above $500 and $1,000, respectively. (See Appendix B under “Contractor Occupations – Commercial and Residential” for details on contractor licensing.) Maryland is the only other state that requires any education or experience. In addition, every state requires at least one exam and all but two set a minimum age of 18 years. Finally, fees vary greatly, from $30 in Maryland to $725 in Connecticut.
All 50 states and D.C. license “other” truck drivers. Rhode Island and West Virginia require two years (730 days) of driving experience, while seven other states require one year. Washington requires 48 hours (about 11 days) of commercial driving education. The other 41 states require no education or experience. Every state requires at least four exams and sets an age minimum, usually of 18 years, though a few states set theirs higher or lower.1 Fees range from $18 in New Mexico to $325 in Washington.
Other truck driver ranks as the 67th most burdensome occupation. And because it is licensed by every state and D.C., it ranks as the 12th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.
Only one state, Missouri, requires a license to work as a psychiatric aide. Missouri requires two years (730 days) of experience in mental health, a high school diploma and a minimum age of 18 years. These requirements rank as the 14th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because only one state licenses psychiatric aides, the occupation ranks as the 97th most widely and onerously licensed.
Five states license psychiatric technicians: Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas and Missouri. All five require a high school diploma, and four of the five require an exam (only Missouri does not). There is significant variation in education and experience requirements, however: While Missouri requires 730 days (two years) of experience, Arkansas and Kansas require only about 210 days (900 hours) of education. Fees range from $0 in Missouri to $349 in California ($119 on average). These requirements are the 36th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because so few states license psychiatric technicians, the occupation ranks as only the 89th most widely and onerously licensed.
All 50 states and D.C. license school bus drivers. On average, these laws require $112 in fees, 300 days of education and experience, and around six exams—the 37th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. However, because school bus drivers are licensed everywhere, the occupation ranks as the sixth most widely and onerously licensed.
While every state requires between six and eight exams and sets a minimum age of 18, 19 or 21 years, other requirements vary. For example, Florida requires five years of driving experience and 40 hours of pre-service coursework (about 1,834 days), but 10 states require no education or experience. Fees range from $18 in New Mexico to $260 in Nevada.
Thirty-seven states license security alarm installers. On average, these laws require $487 in fees, more than two years (836 days) of education and experience, and about two exams—the 12th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. The occupation ranks as the 23rd most widely and onerously licensed.
License requirements vary greatly across states. While Connecticut and Tennessee require six years (2,190 days) of education and experience, six states require none. Similarly, Louisiana, Washington and West Virginia require four exams, but seven states require none. Fees range from $133 in Maryland to $1,481 in Louisiana.
Thirty-four states license unarmed security guards. On average, aspirants must pay $89, demonstrate 10 days of education and experience, and pass about one exam to become licensed—the 80th most burdensome requirements. However, because many states license the occupation, it ranks as the 37th most widely and onerously licensed.
Some license requirements vary significantly across states. For example, most states (28) require between zero and about four days of education or experience, but North Dakota requires about 244 (44 hours of classroom instruction and 1,000 hours of field service training). Similarly, while 15 states require no exams, Florida, Louisiana and Oklahoma each require two. And fees range from $5 in Rhode Island to $201 in Connecticut, though most states’ (23) fees are between $60 and $116.
Thirty-seven states license shampooers. Seven of these states—Alabama, Louisiana, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia—issue a license specific to shampooers. In the other 30 states, shampooing is interpreted as falling under the scope of other licenses administered by barbering and cosmetology boards (see Appendix B for details). On average, aspiring shampooers must pay $130 in fees, complete 248 days of education and experience, and pass about two exams—the 45th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. Because many states license shampooers, the occupation ranks as the 32nd most widely and onerously licensed.
Thirty-seven states license HVAC sheet metal contractors working on commercial properties. Twenty-eight states require between two and six years of experience working under a licensed contractor. Mississippi requires completion of three contracted jobs. Seven states require no education or experience. On average, states require over three years (1,215 days) of education and experience, $394 in fees ($1,078 in Nevada), and about two exams. These high barriers give commercial HVAC sheet metal contractors the fifth most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
