Thirty states require a license to work as a gaming supervisor. On average, these laws require a fee of $462. In addition, almost two-thirds of states (19) set a minimum age of either 18 or 21. These requirements make the gaming supervisor occupation the 83rd most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because gaming supervisors are licensed by over half of states, the occupation ranks as the 56th most widely and onerously licensed.
License fees vary greatly across states, from $0 in Connecticut to $3,150 in California. Ten states have fees totaling $500 or more (five states have fees totaling $1,000 or more). Fees are so high because some states—including California, Colorado and Massachusetts—require large initial deposits ($2,400, $1,000 and $1,000, respectively) for background checks. After completing the background check, the state returns anything remaining of the deposit.
Twenty-six states license glazier contractors working on commercial properties. Twelve 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 581 days of education and experience, $366 in fees ($1,033 in Nevada), and about one exam. These high barriers give commercial glazier contractors the 20th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
Thirty states license glazier contractors working on residential properties. On average, states require over a year (368 days) of education and experience, $322 in fees, and about one exam. All in all, 17 states require at least one exam (California requires three). These requirements rank as the 41st most burdensome.
Only one state, Connecticut, requires a license to work as a home entertainment installer. Connecticut requires $185 in fees, about 575 days of education and experience (900 hours of technical education and one year of experience as an apprentice), and an exam, in addition to a high school diploma. These requirements are the 18th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because only one state licenses home entertainment installers, the occupation ranks as only the 99th most widely and onerously licensed.
Thirty-seven states license HVAC contractors working on commercial properties. Twenty-six states require between two and six years of experience working under a licensed contractor. Rhode Island, the most burdensome state, requires eight years of experience. At the other end of the spectrum, seven states require no education or experience at all. On average, states require over three years (1,197 days) of education and experience, $400 in fees ($1,078 in Nevada), and about two exams. These high barriers give commercial HVAC contractors the sixth most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
All 50 states and D.C. license tractor-trailer drivers. Rhode Island and West Virginia require two years (730 days) of driving experience, while seven other states require one year. Washington requires 160 hours (about 37 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.
Tractor-trailer driver ranks as the 64th most burdensome occupations. And because it is licensed by every state and D.C., it ranks as the 11th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.
Ten states require upholsterers to obtain a license to work. The only requirement is payment of a fee, which ranges from $10 in West Virginia to $360 in California. On average, states charge $102—the 99th most burdensome requirements. However, because 10 states license upholsterers, upholsterer ranks as the 80th most widely and onerously licensed occupation.
All 50 states and D.C. license vegetation pesticide applicators. On average, these laws require $259 in fees, 134 days of education and experience, and three exams—the 63rd most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because vegetation pesticide applicators are licensed everywhere, the occupation ranks as the 10th most widely and onerously licensed.
License requirements vary across states. For example, while 31 states require no education or experience, four states—Delaware, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Tennessee—require two years (730 days) of experience. Maine, New Hampshire and New York require between six and eight exams, while Alabama and Florida require only one each. Fees also vary greatly, from $0 in Mississippi to $3,000 in New York.
Thirty-six states require veterinary technicians to obtain licenses. On average, these laws require $380 in fees, two years (730 days) of education and experience, and around two exams—the 16th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because veterinary technicians are not licensed everywhere, the occupation ranks as the 27th most widely and onerously licensed.
License requirements are mostly uniform. Every state requires two years (730 days) of veterinary technician education (Washington also requires a four-hour HIV/AIDS course) and one or two exams. In addition, 32 states require fees of $330 to $477. However, there is some variability: Alaska and Washington require fees over $500, while Arizona and New York require fees under $200. Also, only Indiana, Louisiana and South Dakota require a high school diploma.
Twenty-five states require a license of those who weigh bulk commodities for a living. Licensing requirements are somewhat consistent across states, with no states requiring any education or experience. In addition, most states (21) require fees of $75 or less, though Texas requires $500. On average, aspiring weighers must pay a fee of $62—the 91st most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because half of states license it, the occupation ranks as the 73rd most widely and onerously licensed.
