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.
Upholsterer Occupational Licensing
License required in 9 states
98th most burdensome licensing requirements among moderate-income occupations
Average Fee for License:$129
What They Do
Upholsterers make, repair or replace upholstery for household furniture or transportation vehicles. This report looks at what is required to run one’s own upholstery business only.
Upholsterer Licensing Overview
Nine states require a licence to work as an Upholsterer. On average, these laws require $129 in fees, 0 days of education and no exams. Upholsterer Licenses have the 98th most burdensome requirements of the 102 occupations studied.
Where is an Upholsterer the most regulated?
Out of the 9 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Upholsterer has the highest burden in California. California requires $420 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is an Upholsterer the least regulated?
Out of the 9 states that require an occupational license, an occupational license for a Upholsterer has the lowest burden in Virginia. Virginia requires $25 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is an Upholsterer license the most expensive?
An occupational license for a Upholsterer costs the most in California. California requires $420 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where is an Upholsterer license the least expensive?
An occupational license for a Upholsterer costs the least in Virginia. Virginia requires $25 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no education.
Where does it take the longest to obtain an Upholsterer license?
Out of the 9 states that require an occupational license, none impose any time lost due to required education/experience.
Where is it fastest to obtain an Upholsterer license?
An occupational license for a Upholsterer takes the least time to obtain in California, Rhode Island, New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Connecticut, Utah, Ohio, Virginia (0 days).
What states require exams for an Upholsterer license?
To obtain an occupational license for an Upholsterer
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.
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 | California | 75 | $420 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Rhode Island | 70 | $180 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | New York | 41 | $150 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Pennsylvania | 50 | $110 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | West Virginia | 67 | $90 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 6 | Connecticut | 65 | $75 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Utah | 64 | $65 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Ohio | 40 | $50 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Virginia | 72 | $25 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
License to Work
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.
View Report