All 50 states and D.C. require a license to work as a cosmetologist. On average, these laws cost aspiring cosmetologists $177 in fees and over a year (386 days) in education and experience and require them to pass two exams—the 30th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. And because cosmetologists are licensed by every state and D.C., the occupation is the fourth most widely and onerously licensed.

Licensing burdens vary significantly. Fees range from $51 (Ohio) to $450 (Alaska). Similarly, education and experience requirements range from about 233 days in New York (1,000 hours of education) to about 963 days in Massachusetts (1,000 hours of education and two years of experience).

Eighteen states require a license to work as a crane operator. On average, these laws cost aspiring crane operators $225 in fees and 222 days in experience and require them to pass two exams—the 57th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. Because so few states license the occupation, it is only the 75th most widely and onerously licensed.

License requirements vary widely across states. New York has the most burdensome requirements at three years (1,095 days) of experience, two exams and $150 in fees. However, 10 states do not require any experience. Some states have different licenses for operating different types of cranes (which can be measured in terms of hoisting mechanism, weightlifting capability or boom length). In such cases, where license requirements differed, the least burdensome license was used. If license requirements did not differ, the broadest possible license was observed.

Nine states license dental assistants. On average, these laws cost aspiring workers $138 in fees and 92 days in education and experience and require them to pass about one exam—the 71st most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. Because dental assistants are not very widely licensed, the occupation ranks as the 81st most widely and onerously licensed.

License requirements vary across states. Minnesota’s license is the most burdensome, requiring $681 in fees, about 425 days lost to education and three exams. California’s, by contrast, requires only about two days (10 hours) of education and no fees or exams.

Two states require a license to work as a dietetic technician: Maine and New Mexico. License requirements are almost identical in Maine and New Mexico: Both states require two years of education (an associate’s degree) and 450 hours of clinical experience (for a total of about 835 days lost), as well as one exam. Their fees are also comparable ($171 in Maine and $180 in New Mexico). Dietetic technicians face the 15th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. However, since only two states license them, the occupation ranks as the 93rd most widely and onerously licensed.

Twenty-four states license door repair contractors working on commercial properties. Ten states require between two and five years of experience working under a licensed contractor. Alabama and Mississippi require completion of three contracted jobs. Twelve states require no experience. On average, states require 508 days of education and experience, $372 in fees ($1,078 in Nevada), and around one exam. These high barriers give commercial door repair contractors the 29th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.

Twenty-nine states license door repair contractors working on residential properties. On average, states require 343 days of education and experience, $320 in fees, and about one exam. All in all, 16 states require at least one exam—10 states require one exam and six (Arizona, California, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada and Utah) require two. These requirements rank as the 47th most burdensome.

Twenty-five states license carpenter and cabinet maker contractors working on commercial properties. Ten states require between two and five years of experience working under a licensed contractor. Alabama and Mississippi require completion of three contracted jobs. Thirteen states require no experience. On average, states require 517 days of education and experience, $381 in fees ($1,078 in Nevada), and one exam. These high barriers give commercial carpenter contractors the 26th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.

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.

All 50 states and D.C. require a license to work as a city or transit bus driver. On average, these laws require $106 in fees, 100 days of education and experience, and five exams. Altogether, these requirements are the 61st most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied. However, because bus drivers are licensed by all states and D.C., the occupation ranks as the eighth most widely and onerously licensed.

Each state requires five exams, fees ranging from $18 (New Mexico) to $335 (Washington), and a minimum age of between 16 and 21. Ten states require prior driving experience of one (Alaska, Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Oregon and Utah), two (Rhode Island and West Virginia) or three years (New Jersey). Instead of driving experience, Washington requires completion of an eight-day (36-hour) training course. The other 40 states have no experience or training requirements.

Thirty-one states license bill collection agencies. On average, these laws impose $551 in fees and 159 days of experience—the 65th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied. However, because bill collection agencies are licensed by more than half of states, the occupation ranks as the 43rd most widely and onerously licensed.

License requirements vary widely across states. Idaho is the most burdensome state, requiring three years (1,095 days) of experience in the collections industry as well as $150 in fees. Seven states (Arizona, Colorado, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, North Carolina and Wisconsin) require over $1,000 in fees. However, Iowa, the least burdensome state, requires only a $10 fee and no experience.