102 Lower-income Occupations
For its 2017 report License to Work, the Institute for Justice documented the requirements to get a license for 102 lower-income occupations across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more about the research methods.
State Profiles
For its 2017 report License to Work, the Institute for Justice documented the requirements to get a license for 102 lower-income occupations across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Read more about the research methods.
Select A State
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.
Veterinary Technician
License required in 36 states
16th most burdensome licensing requirements among moderate-income occupations
27th most heavily regulated occupation among moderate-income occupations
What They Do
Veterinary technicians generally work in private clinical practices under the guidance of a licensed veterinarian. They may perform laboratory tests, such as a urinalysis, and help veterinarians conduct a variety of other diagnostic tests. They may also talk with animal owners about a pet’s condition or how to administer medication prescribed by a veterinarian.[c]Adapted from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinary-technologists-and-technicians.htm#tab-2[/c]Licensing
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.
License to Work
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2017.
States Ranked by Average Licensing Burden for 102 Lower-Income Occupations
More Burdensome Less Burdensom
Based on data released in November 2017| Burden Rank | State | States Licensed | Fees | Estimated Calendar Days Lost | Education | Experience | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | 36 | $580 | 731 | 2 years and 4 clock hours | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | Indiana | 36 | $392 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 12 | 18 | |
| 3 | Louisiana | 36 | $405 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 12 | 0 | |
| 4 | South Dakota | 36 | $330 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 12 | 0 | |
| 5 | Idaho | 36 | $477 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 6 | Wisconsin | 36 | $475 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 7 | Alabama | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 7 | Mississippi | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 7 | North Carolina | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 7 | West Virginia | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 11 | Maryland | 36 | $395 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 12 | South Carolina | 36 | $360 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 36 | $440 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 14 | New Mexico | 36 | $435 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 15 | Nebraska | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 19 | |
| 16 | Nevada | 36 | $410 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 17 | Alaska | 36 | $535 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 18 | Georgia | 36 | $360 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 19 | Missouri | 36 | $360 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | California | 36 | $351 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 21 | Oregon | 36 | $345 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 22 | Iowa | 36 | $335 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 23 | Kansas | 36 | $330 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 24 | Arizona | 36 | $150 | 730 | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 25 | Tennessee | 36 | $428 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 26 | Delaware | 36 | $397 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 27 | Virginia | 36 | $375 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 28 | Maine | 36 | $366 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 29 | Illinois | 36 | $360 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 30 | Michigan | 36 | $350 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 31 | Arkansas | 36 | $350 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 32 | Pennsylvania | 36 | $345 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 33 | Kentucky | 36 | $335 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 33 | North Dakota | 36 | $335 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 33 | Ohio | 36 | $335 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 36 | New York | 36 | $177 | 730 | 2 years | 1 | 0 | 0 |