Summary

License to Work

The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2017.

Alaska licenses more occupations than average—63 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here—and its laws are the 45th most burdensome. Alaska’s average barriers to entry are $298 in fees, 211 days of education and experience, and around one exam. As the 24th most broadly and onerously licensed state, Alaska has much room for improvement.

Alaska’s license requirements for some occupations are particularly burdensome when compared to the average burdens across licensed states. For example, at $1,000, the fee to become an athletic trainer in Alaska is twice the licensed-state average. And Alaska requires about 1,097 days of education and experience (comprising three years of experience and 10 hours of education) to become a licensed school bus driver, when the national average is just 300 days.

Alaska also imposes fee and education burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. Veterinary technicians, for example, must complete two years (730 days) of education and pay $535 in fees in Alaska. These barriers are much higher than those for EMTs, who provide emergency first aid to humans but must only complete 120 hours (around 28 days) of specialized education and pay $105 in fees. Alaska could improve its rank by repealing or reducing inconsistent or irrational burdens for vet techs and other occupations, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.