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Nevada

Nevada Occupational Licensing

75 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed

2nd most burdensome licensing laws for moderate-income occupations

Average Fees for Licenses:$727

Nevada Licensing Overview

Nevada licenses 75 out of 102 lower-income occupations (more than half of the occupations included in the study) . The state’s licensing laws are more burdensome than most other states. The state's licensing laws rank 2nd in the nation. Nevada licensed occupations includes occupations that are rarely licensed elsewhere. Few other states license Interior Designer (3 other), Home Entertainment Installer (3 other), Animal Trainer (7 other).

On average, Nevada requires $727 in licensing fees, 883 days of education and about 2 exam. Fees for a license exceed $1000 for Earth Driller, Water Well, Interior Designer, Fire Alarm Installer, Landscape Contractor (Commercial), Landscape Contractor (Residential), Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial), Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential), Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial), Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential), Door Repair Contractor (Commercial), Door Repair Contractor (Residential), Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial), Floor Sander Contractor (Residential), Home Entertainment Installer, HVAC Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Residential), Insulation Contractor (Commercial), Insulation Contractor (Residential), Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial), Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential), Mason Contractor (Commercial), Mason Contractor (Residential), Painting Contractor (Commercial), Painting Contractor (Residential), Paving Contractor (Commercial), Paving Contractor (Residential), Pipelayer Contractor, Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential), Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential), Optician, Bill Collection Agency, Travel Guide, Animal Trainer.

Which occupation in a Nevada is the most regulated?

Out of the 75 occupations that require an occupational license in Nevada, a license for Earth Driller, Water Well has the highest burden. A Earth Driller, Water Well license requires $1140 in fees, 3 exams, 6 years experience, and no of education.

Which occupation in a Nevada is the least regulated?

Out of the 75 occupations that require an occupational license in Nevada, a license for Coach, Head (High School Sports) has the lowest burden. A Coach, Head (High School Sports) license requires $0 in fees, no exams, no experience, and 5 clock hours of education.

Which occupational license in Nevada is the most expensive?

An occupational license in Nevada costs the most for Travel Guide. A Travel Guide license requires $2250 in fees, 2 exams, no experience, and no of education.

Which occupational license in Nevada is the least expensive?

An occupational license for in Nevada costs the least for Coach, Head (High School Sports). A Coach, Head (High School Sports) license requires $0 in fees, no exams, no experience, and 5 clock hours of education.

Which occupational license in Nevada takes the most time to obtain?

In Nevada, an occupational license takes the most time (due to required education/experience) for Earth Driller, Water Well, Interior Designer.It takes 2190 days (6 years) total.

Which occupational license in Nevada takes the least time to obtain?

In Nevada, an occupational license takes the least time due to required education/experience (0 days) for Travel Guide, Animal Trainer, Makeup Artist, Bus Driver, City/Transit, Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer, Truck Driver, Other, Crane Operator, Security Guard, Unarmed, Gaming Cage Worker, Gaming Dealer, Gaming Supervisor, Slot Supervisor, Fisher, Commercial, Weigher, Milk Sampler, Wildlife Control Operator, Locksmith, Taxidermist.

In Nevada, which occupational licenses require exams?

In Nevada, to obtain an occupational license there is at least one exam required for: Earth Driller, Water Well, Interior Designer, Interpreter, Sign Language, Fire Alarm Installer, Landscape Contractor (Commercial), Landscape Contractor (Residential), Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial), Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential), Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial), Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential), Door Repair Contractor (Commercial), Door Repair Contractor (Residential), Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial), Floor Sander Contractor (Residential), Home Entertainment Installer, HVAC Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Residential), Insulation Contractor (Commercial), Insulation Contractor (Residential), Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial), Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential), Mason Contractor (Commercial), Mason Contractor (Residential), Painting Contractor (Commercial), Painting Contractor (Residential), Paving Contractor (Commercial), Paving Contractor (Residential), Pipelayer Contractor, Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential), Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential), Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial), Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential), Glazier Contractor (Commercial), Glazier Contractor (Residential), Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial), Terrazzo Contractor (Residential), Optician, Preschool Teacher, Public School, Athletic Trainer, Barber, Bill Collection Agency, Veterinary Technician, Mobile Home Installer, Cosmetologist, Vegetation Pesticide Applicator, Pest Control Applicator, Manicurist, Skin Care Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician, Travel Guide, Massage Therapist, Shampooer, School Bus Driver, Animal Trainer, Bus Driver, City/Transit, Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer, Truck Driver, Other, Crane Operator, Security Guard, Unarmed, Weigher, Milk Sampler. Optician, Vegetation Pesticide Applicator require 7 exams.

Nevada is the second worst state in the nation for occupational licensing of lower-income occupations. Licensing 75 of the 102 studied here, Nevada is more broadly and onerously licensed than all but one other state. Nevada also has the second most burdensome licensing laws, requiring, on average, $704 in fees, 861 days—more than two years—of education and experience, and around two exams.

Nevada licenses some rarely licensed occupations very onerously. For instance, Nevada is one of just four states that license interior designers, its second most onerously licensed occupation. The state requires four years of education and two years of experience (2,190 days total), $1,215 in fees, and one exam. Nevada is also one of just nine states that license animal trainers. Its fees for this occupation are nearly seven times the average across licensed states ($1,408 compared to $209).

Nevada 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, 20 states do not license bill collection agencies at all, yet in Nevada a person wishing to open one must demonstrate 730 days (two years) of experience. By contrast, EMTs need just 26 days (110 hours) of education. And the fees bill collection agencies must pay for licensure are over 10 times the fees for EMTs ($1,010 versus $90). Nevada can improve its dismal rankings—and expand opportunity for lower-income workers—by reducing or repealing its irrational licensing burdens for bill collection agencies and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

Nevada State Licensing Requirements for Lower-Income Occupations

Select a chart to view:
Burden Rank Occupation Number of States that License Fees Education/Experience (Days) Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 Earth Driller, Water Well 51 1140 2190 None 6 years 3 0 18
2 Interior Designer 3 1485 2190 4 years 2 years 1 0 0
3 Interpreter, Sign Language 22 885 1460 4 years None 2 12 18
4 Fire Alarm Installer 39 1608 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
5 Landscape Contractor (Commercial) 47 1215 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
5 Landscape Contractor (Residential) 48 1215 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) 25 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) 30 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial) 24 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) 30 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Door Repair Contractor (Commercial) 24 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Door Repair Contractor (Residential) 29 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial) 22 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) 27 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Home Entertainment Installer 3 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 HVAC Contractor (Commercial) 37 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 HVAC Contractor (Residential) 35 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Insulation Contractor (Commercial) 24 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Insulation Contractor (Residential) 30 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) 26 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) 30 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Mason Contractor (Commercial) 26 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Mason Contractor (Residential) 31 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Painting Contractor (Commercial) 22 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Painting Contractor (Residential) 27 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Paving Contractor (Commercial) 24 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Paving Contractor (Residential) 28 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Pipelayer Contractor 27 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) 37 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) 36 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial) 26 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
7 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) 31 1040 1460 None 4 years 2 0 18
33 Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial) 25 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
33 Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) 30 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
33 Glazier Contractor (Commercial) 26 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
33 Glazier Contractor (Residential) 30 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
33 Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial) 23 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
33 Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) 28 995 1460 None 4 years 1 0 18
39 Optician 22 1250 1118 2 years 1 year & 100 clock hours 7 12 18
40 Preschool Teacher, Public School 50 642 1460 4 years None 3 0 0
41 Athletic Trainer 49 730 1460 4 years None 1 0 0
42 Barber 51 165 896 1500 clock hours 18 months 4 0 18
43 Bill Collection Agency 29 1010 730 None 2 years 1 0 21
44 Veterinary Technician 36 425 730 2 years None 2 0 0
45 Mobile Home Installer 37 515 730 None 2 years 1 0 0
46 Cosmetologist 51 195 373 1600 clock hours None 3 10 18
47 Child Care Home, Family 44 481 499 2142 clock hours None 0 0 21
48 Vegetation Pesticide Applicator 51 650 294 16 credit hours 6 months 7 0 18
49 Pest Control Applicator 51 550 294 16 credit hours 6 months 5 0 18
50 Pharmacy Technician 44 100 222 600 clock hours 350 clock hours 0 12 18
51 Manicurist 51 195 140 600 clock hours None 3 10 18
51 Skin Care Specialist 51 195 140 600 clock hours None 3 10 18
53 Emergency Medical Technician 51 98 35 150 clock hours None 2 12 18
54 Travel Guide 37 2250 0 None None 2 0 21
55 Massage Therapist 45 675 128 550 clock hours None 1 0 18
56 Shampooer 33 115 12 50 clock hours None 1 10 16
57 School Bus Driver 51 176 3 20 clock hours None 6 0 21
58 Animal Trainer 7 1408 0 None None 2 0 21
59 Makeup Artist 37 25 0 None None 0 10 18
60 Bus Driver, City/Transit 51 162 0 None None 5 0 21
61 Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer 51 148 0 None None 5 0 18
62 Truck Driver, Other 51 148 0 None None 4 0 18
63 Crane Operator 16 240 0 None None 2 0 18
64 Security Guard, Unarmed 34 85 0 None None 1 0 18
65 Gaming Cage Worker 30 85 0 None None 0 0 21
65 Gaming Dealer 29 85 0 None None 0 0 21
65 Gaming Supervisor 31 85 0 None None 0 0 21
65 Slot Supervisor 29 85 0 None None 0 0 21
69 Fisher, Commercial 43 500 0 None None 0 0 0
70 Weigher 24 120 0 None None 1 0 0
71 Milk Sampler 43 20 0 None None 1 0 0
72 Wildlife Control Operator 23 250 0 None None 0 0 0
73 Locksmith 12 66 0 None None 0 0 0
74 Taxidermist 28 44 0 None None 0 0 0
75 Coach, Head (High School Sports) 47 0 1 5 clock hours 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