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.
Louisiana licenses 77 out of 102 lower-income occupations (more than half of the occupations included in the study) . The state’s licensing laws are less burdensome than most other states. The state's licensing laws rank 45th in the nation. Louisiana licensed occupations includes occupations that are rarely licensed elsewhere. Few other states license Interior Designer (3 other), Teacher Assistant, Non-Instructional (5 other), Florist (1 other), Tree Trimmer (8 other).
On average, Louisiana requires $333 in licensing fees, 175 days of education and about 1 exam. Fees for a license exceed $1000 for Interior Designer, Fire Alarm Installer, Midwife, Direct Entry, Security Alarm Installer.
Out of the 77 occupations that require an occupational license in Louisiana, a license for Preschool Teacher, Public School has the highest burden. A Preschool Teacher, Public School license requires $486 in fees, 3 exams, 3 years experience, and 4 years of education.
Out of the 77 occupations that require an occupational license in Louisiana, a license for Animal Breeder has the lowest burden. A Animal Breeder license requires $23 in fees, no exams, no experience, and no of education.
An occupational license in Louisiana costs the most for Midwife, Direct Entry. A Midwife, Direct Entry license requires $1796 in fees, 1 exams, no experience, and 2 years of education.
An occupational license for in Louisiana costs the least for Bartender, Milk Sampler, Shampooer where the license costs $0.
In Louisiana, an occupational license takes the most time (due to required education/experience) for Preschool Teacher, Public School. It takes 2555 days (7 years) total. A Preschool Teacher, Public School license requires $486 in fees, 3 exams, 3 years experience, and 4 years of education.
In Louisiana, an occupational license takes the least time due to required education/experience (0 days) for Teacher Assistant, Non-Instructional, Bus Driver, City/Transit, Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer, Landscape Contractor (Commercial), Truck Driver, Other, Vegetation Pesticide Applicator, Locksmith, Landscape Contractor (Residential), Taxi Driver/Chauffeur, Door Repair Contractor (Commercial), Gaming Cage Worker, Gaming Dealer, Gaming Supervisor, Slot Supervisor, Bartender, Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial), Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial), Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial), Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial), Glazier Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Commercial), Insulation Contractor (Commercial), Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial), Mason Contractor (Commercial), Painting Contractor (Commercial), Paving Contractor (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial), Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Residential), Pipelayer Contractor, Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial), Florist, Tree Trimmer, Weigher, Travel Guide, Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential), Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential), Door Repair Contractor (Residential), Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential), Floor Sander Contractor (Residential), Glazier Contractor (Residential), Insulation Contractor (Residential), Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential), Mason Contractor (Residential), Painting Contractor (Residential), Paving Contractor (Residential), Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential), Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential), Terrazzo Contractor (Residential), Fisher, Commercial, Bill Collection Agency, Animal Breeder.
In Louisiana, to obtain an occupational license there is at least one exam required for: Preschool Teacher, Public School, Interior Designer, Fire Alarm Installer, Athletic Trainer, Pest Control Applicator, Midwife, Direct Entry, Veterinary Technician, Earth Driller, Water Well, Barber, Cosmetologist, Mobile Home Installer, Skin Care Specialist, Pharmacy Technician, Makeup Artist, Manicurist, School Bus Driver, Teacher Assistant, Non-Instructional, Security Alarm Installer, Massage Therapist, Bus Driver, City/Transit, Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer, Landscape Contractor (Commercial), Truck Driver, Other, Emergency Medical Technician, Auctioneer, Vegetation Pesticide Applicator, Security Guard, Unarmed, Wildlife Control Operator, Locksmith, Landscape Contractor (Residential), Taxi Driver/Chauffeur, Door Repair Contractor (Commercial), Bartender, Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial), Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial), Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial), Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial), Glazier Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Commercial), Insulation Contractor (Commercial), Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial), Mason Contractor (Commercial), Painting Contractor (Commercial), Paving Contractor (Commercial), Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial), Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial), HVAC Contractor (Residential), Pipelayer Contractor, Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial), Florist, Tree Trimmer, Weigher, Milk Sampler. School Bus Driver requires 6 exams.
Louisiana licenses 77 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here. Its laws are the 43rd most burdensome, requiring, on average, $360 in fees, 202 days of education and experience, and roughly two exams. Because Louisiana licenses so many of the occupations studied in this report—tying with Washington for the most occupations licensed—it ranks as the sixth most broadly and onerously licensed state.
Louisiana imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, the barriers to opening a fire alarm or security alarm installation business in Louisiana are extremely high, even though not every state licenses them. Alarm installers must pay over $1,400 in fees, demonstrate more than five years (over 1,800 days) of education and experience, and pass four exams. EMTs meanwhile need only pay $110 in fees, complete 110 hours (roughly 26 days) of education and pass two exams for licensure.
Louisiana also licenses several occupations that are rarely licensed by other states. For example, it is one of just four states to license interior designers—the most arduously licensed occupation in this study. It requires $1,240 in fees, six years (2,190 days) of education and one exam. Louisiana is also the only state to license florists and is joined by just four other states in licensing non-instructional teacher assistants and by six others in licensing tree trimmers. As one of the two states that license the most occupations studied here, Louisiana could substantially improve its rankings by repealing these and other occupational licenses, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.
| Burden Rank | Occupation | Number of States that License | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Education | Experience | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preschool Teacher, Public School | 50 | 486 | 2555 | 4 years | 3 years | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2 | Interior Designer | 3 | 1485 | 2190 | 5 years | 1 year | 1 | 12 | 0 | |
| 3 | Fire Alarm Installer | 39 | 1673 | 1825 | 1 clock hour | 5 years | 4 | 0 | 18 | |
| 4 | Athletic Trainer | 49 | 561 | 1460 | 4 years | None | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 5 | Pest Control Applicator | 51 | 210 | 1460 | 4 years | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 6 | Midwife, Direct Entry | 37 | 1796 | 730 | 2 years | None | 1 | 12 | 21 | |
| 7 | Veterinary Technician | 36 | 420 | 730 | 2 years | None | 2 | 12 | 0 | |
| 8 | Earth Driller, Water Well | 51 | 510 | 730 | None | 2 years | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 9 | Barber | 51 | 72 | 350 | 1500 clock hours | None | 2 | 12 | 18 | |
| 10 | Cosmetologist | 51 | 75 | 350 | 1500 clock hours | None | 2 | 10 | 16 | |
| 11 | Mobile Home Installer | 37 | 251 | 366 | 1 day | 1 year | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 12 | Skin Care Specialist | 51 | 100 | 175 | 750 clock hours | None | 2 | 10 | 16 | |
| 13 | Pharmacy Technician | 44 | 281 | 140 | None | 600 clock hours | 1 | 12 | 18 | |
| 14 | Makeup Artist | 37 | 75 | 117 | 500 clock hours | None | 2 | 10 | 16 | |
| 14 | Manicurist | 51 | 75 | 117 | 500 clock hours | None | 2 | 10 | 16 | |
| 16 | School Bus Driver | 51 | 192 | 9 | 44 clock hours | None | 6 | 0 | 21 | |
| 17 | Teacher Assistant, Non-Instructional | 5 | 55 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 12 | 20 | |
| 18 | Security Alarm Installer | 37 | 1574 | 5 | 29 clock hours | None | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| 19 | Massage Therapist | 45 | 431 | 117 | 500 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 | Bus Driver, City/Transit | 51 | 184 | 0 | None | None | 5 | 0 | 18 | |
| 21 | Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer | 51 | 177 | 0 | None | None | 5 | 0 | 18 | |
| 22 | Landscape Contractor (Commercial) | 47 | 614 | 0 | None | None | 3 | 0 | 18 | |
| 23 | Truck Driver, Other | 51 | 177 | 0 | None | None | 4 | 0 | 18 | |
| 24 | Emergency Medical Technician | 51 | 209 | 35 | 150 clock hours | None | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 25 | Auctioneer | 28 | 300 | 19 | 80 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 26 | Vegetation Pesticide Applicator | 51 | 270 | 0 | None | None | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 27 | Security Guard, Unarmed | 34 | 78 | 3 | 16 clock hours | None | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 28 | Wildlife Control Operator | 23 | 40 | 2 | 10 clock hours | None | 2 | 0 | 18 | |
| 29 | Locksmith | 12 | 264 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 30 | Landscape Contractor (Residential) | 48 | 214 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 31 | Taxi Driver/Chauffeur | 13 | 155 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 17 | |
| 32 | Door Repair Contractor (Commercial) | 24 | 750 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 33 | Gaming Cage Worker | 30 | 200 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 21 | |
| 33 | Gaming Dealer | 29 | 200 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 21 | |
| 33 | Gaming Supervisor | 31 | 200 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 21 | |
| 33 | Slot Supervisor | 29 | 200 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 21 | |
| 37 | Bartender | 12 | 0 | 0 | 2 clock hours | None | 1 | 0 | 18 | |
| 38 | Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) | 25 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial) | 24 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial) | 25 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial) | 22 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Glazier Contractor (Commercial) | 26 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | HVAC Contractor (Commercial) | 37 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Insulation Contractor (Commercial) | 24 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) | 26 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Mason Contractor (Commercial) | 26 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Painting Contractor (Commercial) | 22 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Paving Contractor (Commercial) | 24 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) | 37 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 38 | Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial) | 23 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 51 | HVAC Contractor (Residential) | 35 | 400 | 0 | None | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 51 | Pipelayer Contractor | 27 | 400 | 0 | None | None | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| 53 | Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial) | 26 | 400 | 0 | 1 clock hour | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 54 | Florist | 1 | 214 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 54 | Tree Trimmer | 8 | 214 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 56 | Weigher | 24 | 100 | 0 | None | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 57 | Travel Guide | 37 | 310 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 58 | Milk Sampler | 43 | 0 | 1 | 1 day | None | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Door Repair Contractor (Residential) | 29 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) | 27 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Glazier Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Insulation Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) | 30 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Mason Contractor (Residential) | 31 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Painting Contractor (Residential) | 27 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Paving Contractor (Residential) | 28 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) | 36 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) | 31 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 59 | Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) | 28 | 255 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 73 | Coach, Head (High School Sports) | 47 | 140 | 3 | 15 clock hours | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 74 | Shampooer | 33 | 0 | 9 | 40 clock hours | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 75 | Fisher, Commercial | 43 | 55 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 76 | Bill Collection Agency | 29 | 25 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 77 | Animal Breeder | 29 | 23 | 0 | None | None | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.
View Report
