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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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.
| 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 | 100 clock hours & 1 year | 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 |
The data and information here come from IJ’s License to Work report, released in November 2022.
View Report
