Summary

License to Work

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

Delaware licenses fewer of the lower-income occupations studied here than most states—44 out of 102—but its laws rank as the 15th most burdensome in the nation. On average, Delaware licenses require $199 in fees, 475 days lost to education and experience, and approximately one exam. The state ranks as the 32nd most broadly and onerously licensed.

Delaware licenses some occupations that are rarely licensed elsewhere, such as non-instructional teacher assistants, who are licensed by only four other states. Delaware also licenses pesticide applicators more onerously than many other states: Both pest control applicators and vegetation pesticide applicators in Delaware must demonstrate 730 days (two years) of experience before opening their businesses, when the national average of days lost to education and experience is just 274 days for pest control applicators and 134 days for vegetation pesticide applicators.

Delaware also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive or illogical compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, while EMTs must only demonstrate 150 hours (around 35 days) of specialized education, pay $149 and pass two exams, barbers and cosmetologists must sacrifice 10 times as many hours to education (1,500 hours or about 350 days), pay over $200 and pass two exams. To expand opportunity, Delaware should reduce, if not repeal, inconsistent or irrational licensing burdens like these, or—if government regulation is necessary—replace them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.