Twenty-three states require a license to work as a wildlife control operator. On average, these laws require $68 in fees and about one exam—the 88th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. Because about half of states license wildlife control operators, the occupation ranks as the 74th most widely and onerously licensed.
While most states (19) require one written exam, Iowa requires two: a written exam and an in-person interview with a representative of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Alaska, Nevada and New Hampshire require no exams. Additionally, while 15 states require no education or experience, eight require anywhere from one to 16 hours of education. Fees range from $0 in Illinois, Indiana, Kansas and Virginia to $250 in Connecticut and Nevada.
Only one state, Ohio, requires a license to work as a social and human service assistant. Ohio requires $50 in fees, an associate’s degree (two years, or 730 days of education) in social service technology and an exam. These requirements are the 17th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because only one state licenses social and human service assistants, the occupation ranks as the 98th most widely and onerously licensed.
Three states require a license to work as a dairy equipment still machine setter: California, Oregon and Washington. California and Oregon both require two exams, while Washington requires none. Oregon also sets a minimum age of 18 years. None of the states requires any education or experience. The three states require an average of $67 in fees. These requirements are the 89th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. Also, because so few states license the occupation, it ranks as the 92nd most widely and onerously licensed.
Sixteen states require a special driver’s license for taxi drivers or chauffeurs.1 On average, these laws cost aspiring taxi drivers and chauffeurs $47 in fees and 148 days in education and experience—the 69th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied here. Also, because relatively few states license taxi drivers and chauffeurs, the occupation ranks as the 76th most widely and onerously licensed.
License requirements vary greatly across states. For example, Tennessee requires two years (730 days) of driving experience, but nine states require no education or experience. Similarly, seven states require an exam, while nine do not. And while 14 states have an age requirement (D.C. and Maryland do not), it varies from 17 to 21 years. Fees range from $3 in Delaware to $275 in D.C.2
Twenty-eight states require taxidermists to have a license. Every state charges a fee—ranging from $12 in Mississippi and North Carolina to $250 in Washington ($78 on average)—and none requires any education or experience. Only two states require any exams: Maine requires two, while Maryland requires one. The average requirements for taxidermist are the 100th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because more than half of states license taxidermists, the occupation ranks as the 69th most widely and onerously licensed.
Five states license non-instructional teacher assistants who work in non-Title I-funded schools.3 All states require high school graduation. Rhode Island is the only state that requires any education or experience (30 hours, or about 7 days), Louisiana is the only state that requires an exam and New Mexico is the only state that charges a fee ($79). Two states have an age requirement: 20 years in Louisiana and 18 years in New Mexico. The average requirements for this occupation are the 75th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. However, because only five states license the occupation, it ranks as the 90th most widely and onerously licensed.
Twenty-three states license terrazzo contractors working on commercial properties. Nine 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 482 days of education and experience, $364 in fees ($1,033 in Nevada), and around one exam. These high barriers give commercial terrazzo contractors the 33rd most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
Twenty-eight states license terrazzo contractors working on residential properties. On average, states require 290 days of education and experience, $301 in fees, and about one exam. All in all, 14 states require at least one exam (California requires three). These requirements rank as the 52nd most burdensome.
Seven states license title examiners. All states require one exam, two require one year of experience (Arkansas and Nebraska), and three set an age requirement (18 years for Arkansas and Oklahoma, and 19 years for Nebraska). Fees range from $50 in Arkansas to $825 in Nebraska. On average, these laws require $355 in fees, 104 days of experience and one exam, making title examiner the 72nd most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. Because so few states license title examiners, the occupation ranks as the 84th most widely and onerously licensed.
Seven states license travel agencies that do business within their borders. All states require a fee, ranging from $15 in Iowa to $375 in California, for an average of $211. California’s fees are relatively high because the state requires agencies to pay into a consumer restitution fund. Pennsylvania also sets a minimum age of 18 years. These requirements are the 94th most burdensome of the 102 occupations studied here. Because so few states license travel agencies, the occupation ranks as the 86th most widely and onerously licensed.
