North Dakota has some of the least burdensome licensing laws for lower-income occupations in the nation, ranking 49th. Its laws require, on average, $156 in fees, 122 days of education and experience, and roughly one exam. But North Dakota licenses more lower-income occupations than average (65 of 102), making it the 23rd most broadly and onerously licensed state.

North Dakota licenses several occupations that are rarely licensed elsewhere. For example, the state’s most onerously licensed occupation—sign language interpreter—is licensed by just 21 other states. And North Dakota’s license is burdensome, requiring $675 in fees, about 1,469 days (four years and 40 hours) of education and two exams. These steep burdens are questionable given that most states do not deem licensure necessary at all. North Dakota is also one of just seven states that license title examiners and one of nine states that license animal trainers.

North Dakota also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, North Dakota has one of the most burdensome barbering licenses in the nation, requiring 727 days of education and experience (comprising 1,550 hours of education and one year of experience), $250 in fees, and two exams. By contrast, the state’s EMT license requires just 35 days (150 hours) of education, $80 in fees and two exams. North Dakota can improve employment opportunities in the state by reducing or repealing its heavy burdens for barbers and many other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as inspections or voluntary certification.

Colorado licenses 34 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here, and its laws are the 36th most burdensome. On average, Colorado’s barriers to entry are $344 in fees, 260 days lost to education and experience, and roughly two exams. Because Colorado licenses fewer occupations than most states, it ranks as only the 47th most broadly and onerously licensed.

Despite this relatively good ranking, Colorado still has room for improvement. For example, it has one of the most burdensome licenses for bill collection agencies, requiring $1,500 in fees and 730 days—two years—of experience before an agency can open for business. By comparison, 20 states do not even license bill collection agencies, and those that do require an average of $551 in fees and 159 days of education and experience.

Colorado also imposes restrictions on barbers and cosmetologists that are disproportionately burdensome compared to those for occupations that may pose greater risks to the public. Aspiring barbers must pay a $155 fee and complete 1,500 hours (around 350 days) of education, while would-be cosmetologists must pay a $177 fee and complete 1,800 hours (roughly 420 days) of education. Both must also pass two exams. EMTs, on the other hand, must only pay a $98 fee, demonstrate 150 hours (about 35 days) of education and pass two exams. Colorado should reduce, if not repeal, its inconsistent or irrational burdens for lower-income workers, or—if government regulation is necessary—replace them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

Vermont licenses 31 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here—fewer than all but one other state. Its laws rank as the 28th most burdensome, requiring an average of $193 in fees, 287 days of education and experience, and around two exams. These lower-than-average burdens, combined with a lower-than-average number of occupations licensed, make Vermont the 50th most broadly and onerously licensed state—the second-best in the nation.

Despite licensing relatively few occupations, Vermont licenses several for which many other states deem licensure unnecessary. These occupations include dental assistant (licensed by eight other states), bartender (12 others), optician (21 others), weigher (24 others), animal breeder (27 others) and auctioneer (29 others).

Vermont also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that arguably have a stronger connection to public health and safety. For example, cosmetologists must study for the better part of a year (roughly 350 days or 1,500 hours), pay $360 in fees and pass three exams to obtain a license to work. EMTs, on the other hand, must only complete less than a month of education (roughly 26 days or 110 hours) and pass two exams. Vermont could expand lower-income employment opportunities by reducing or repealing its licensing burdens for cosmetologists and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as inspections or voluntary certification.

Virginia’s licensing laws for lower-income occupations are some of the worst in the nation, ranking as the seventh most burdensome. On average, Virginia law requires $291 in fees, 620 days of education and experience, and approximately one exam. Licensing more lower-income occupations than average—68 of the 102 studied here—Virginia is also the seventh most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Virginia licenses a number of occupations that most other states do not license, including animal control officers (licensed by six other states), upholsterers (nine others), locksmiths (13 others), commercial floor sander contractors (21 others) and commercial painting contractors (21 others). The latter two contractor occupations face particularly steep training requirements in Virginia, where aspirants must demonstrate an estimated 731 days of education and experience (two years of experience and eight hours of education). By comparison, on average, licensed states require fewer than 500 days of education and experience (485 for floor sander contractors and 488 days for painting contractors). Given that so few states see fit to license these occupations at all, Virginia’s requirements appear excessive.

Virginia also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem disproportionate compared to those for other occupations that may present a greater risk to public safety. For example, it takes roughly 63 days (nine credit hours) and $80 in fees to become a licensed EMT. Becoming a licensed landscape contractor, on the other hand, requires roughly 731 days (two years of experience and eight hours of education) and $320 in fees. Virginia could improve its rankings by reducing or repealing such heavy licensing burdens, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

Washington is tied with Louisiana in licensing the most lower-income occupations in this study—77 of 102. The state’s licensing laws, however, are less burdensome than most, ranking 48th in the nation. On average, they require $209 in fees, 163 days of education and experience, and around one exam. Nevertheless, because Washington licenses so many occupations, it ranks as the ninth most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Washington’s long list of licensed occupations includes several that are rarely licensed elsewhere. For example, few other states license dairy equipment still machine setters (two), travel agencies (six), dental assistants (eight) or farm labor contractors (nine). Washington also licenses some more widely licensed occupations more onerously than other states. For example, water well earth drillers must sacrifice an estimated 1,265 days to education and experience (5,400 hours of experience and 32 continuing education units) to become licensed in the state. That is substantially more than the national average requirement of 837 days in this occupation.

Washington also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present a greater risk to public safety. For example, aspiring EMTs are deemed qualified first responders after completing an estimated 26 days (110 hours) of education and paying $80 in fees. Cosmetologists, on the other hand, face much more stringent requirements: roughly 373 days (1,600 hours) of education and $230 in fees. Washington could expand employment opportunities in the state by reducing or repealing its illogical licensing burdens for cosmetologists and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as inspections or voluntary certification.

West Virginia’s licensing laws for lower-income occupations are the nation’s 44th most burdensome. They require, on average, $172 in fees, 210 days of education and experience, and around two exams. But because West Virginia licenses more occupations than most states—70 of the 102 studied here—it ranks as the 14th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

West Virginia licenses several occupations that are not licensed elsewhere, such as upholsterers (licensed by nine other states), crane operators (17 others) and sign language interpreters (21 others). West Virginia also licenses auctioneers—who are unlicensed in 21 states—and does so quite onerously. While the licensed-state average of days lost to education and experience is an estimated 94 days for auctioneers, West Virginia requires more than twice as much: an estimated 201 days, or six months of experience and 80 hours of education.

West Virginia also imposes requirements on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for others with a stronger connection to public safety. For example, in West Virginia, manicurists and massage therapists face more stringent requirements than EMTs. To provide their services, these workers must complete between 93 and 117 days of education. EMTs, on the other hand, can become licensed after completing only around 35 days (150 hours) of education. West Virginia could create more economic opportunity by reducing or repealing many of its occupational licenses, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

Wisconsin licenses 42 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here, which is fewer than most states. Ranking as the 42nd most burdensome, Wisconsin’s licensing laws require, on average, $259 in fees, 214 days of education and experience, and around one exam. The state ranks as the nation’s 36th most broadly and onerously licensed.

Wisconsin frequently licenses occupations that are unlicensed by other states. For example, few other states license animal trainers (eight), farm labor contractors (nine), bartenders (12) or sign language interpreters (21). Among those, sign language interpreters face particularly steep education and experience requirements: 1,469 days (four years and 40 clock hours) of education. The average in states that license the occupation, meanwhile, is 1,088 days. And bill collection agencies, which are unlicensed in 20 states, face unusually high fees in Wisconsin ($1,200 versus an average of $551).

Wisconsin also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present a greater risk to public safety. For example, it takes over 10 times as long to become a cosmetologist in Wisconsin as it does to become an EMT. EMTs must complete roughly 35 days (150 hours) of education, while cosmetologists need an estimated 362 (1,550 hours). Wisconsin could expand lower-income employment opportunities by reducing or repealing its licensing burdens for cosmetologists and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as inspections or voluntary certification.

Wyoming’s licensing laws for lower-income occupations are the 25th most burdensome, requiring, on average, $345 in fees, 280 days of education and experience, and around two exams. But Wyoming licenses fewer of the 102 occupations studied here than any other state—just 26—making it the least broadly and onerously licensed state.

Although Wyoming licenses relatively few occupations, some of its licenses are more burdensome than average. For example, Wyoming has one of the most burdensome cosmetology licenses in the nation, requiring roughly 467 days (2,000 hours) of education, while the national average for the occupation is 386 days.

Wyoming also licenses some occupations more onerously than others that may present a greater risk to public safety. For example, EMTs can become licensed after completing roughly 42 days (180 hours) of education and paying a $39 fee. A person wishing to open a bill collection agency, however, must demonstrate a year of experience and pay $600 in fees. Wyoming could expand lower-income employment opportunities in the state by reducing or repealing its burdens for bill collection agencies and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

South Carolina licenses 60 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here. Its laws are the 17th most burdensome and require, on average, $220 in fees, 440 days of education and experience, and around two exams. South Carolina ranks as the 22nd most broadly and onerously licensed state, placing it in the middle of the pack.

South Carolina frequently licenses occupations that are unlicensed elsewhere, such as commercial floor sander and painting contractors, both of whom are licensed by just 21 other states. And both these occupations face particularly steep burdens in South Carolina. The state requires 730 days (two years) of experience before these contractors can work. Meanwhile, the average education and experience requirements across states that license these occupations are under 500 days—50 percent less than South Carolina requires. Given that fewer than half of states license these occupations at all, it is curious that South Carolina licenses them so onerously.

South Carolina also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, aspiring EMTs must pay $80 in fees, complete an estimated 34 days (144 hours) of education and pass two exams. But it takes three times longer to become a makeup artist (105 days), 10 times longer to become a residential carpenter or cabinet maker contractor (365 days), and more than 20 times longer to become a veterinary technician (730 days). South Carolina could improve lower-income job prospects by repealing or easing these and other heavy licensing burdens, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

South Dakota’s licensing laws for lower-income occupations are the 19th most burdensome. On average, its barriers to entry for these occupations are $198 in fees, 355 days of education and experience, and roughly two exams. Because South Dakota licenses fewer lower-income occupations than most states—32 of the 102 studied here—it ranks as only the 48th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

South Dakota licenses several occupations that are not licensed by other states, such as title examiners (licensed by six other states), sign language interpreters (21 others) and gaming dealers (27 others). Among those, sign language interpreters face particularly steep burdens. In South Dakota, they must complete an estimated 1,469 days of education—over a year more than the licensed-state average (1,088 days). And South Dakota’s license for water well earth drillers requires 1,825 days (five years) of experience, more than double the national average (837 days lost to education and experience) for the occupation.

The state also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, not only are South Dakota’s burdens for cosmetologists and barbers some of the steepest of their type in the nation, they are also much steeper than the state’s burdens for EMTs. The latter must complete just 150 hours (roughly 35 days) of education and pass two exams. But cosmetologists must complete 2,100 hours (roughly 490 days) of education and pass three exams, while barbers must demonstrate 1,500 hours of education and one year of experience (roughly 715 days total) and pass three exams. In 2017, South Dakota exempted hair braiders from the state’s cosmetology laws. It could expand opportunities by reducing or repealing its heavy licensing burdens for other lower-income occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive alternatives.