Updates
License to Work
This page provides updates and corrections to occupational licensing data presented in the second edition of License to Work, published in November 2017, including revised tables affected by the updates. This includes individual state and occupation tables, as well as Tables 1 through 6 that rank states and occupations. This page will continue to be updated as we become aware of necessary changes. Updated tables are cumulative, meaning they reflect all updates made to date. Meanwhile, the original findings remain unchanged on the report’s website.
Updated versions of the complete dataset of all 102 occupations and the comparison dataset of occupations consistently recorded across the 2012 and 2017 editions of the report are available for download under the “License to Work 2 Data” section on the report’s data page.
Update Details
| Date Updated | State(s) | Occupation(s) | Update Description | Impact on Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February 22, 2018 | RI | Coach, Head (High School Sports) | The athletic coach permit was repealed by 2015 RI H5900, and as of January 1, 2017, is no longer required. | There is no license. |
| February 22, 2018 | UT | All Contractor Occupations and Mobile Home Installer | H.B. 313 changed the licensing requirements for various contractor occupations and mobile home installers, effective May 9, 2017. | Fees decreased to between $210 and $445. Two years of experience eliminated. Education increased to 25 clock hours. Exams eliminated. |
| February 22, 2018 | AL, AZ, CT, IN, IA, KY, ME, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, SD and WI | Interpreter, Sign Language | Data were updated to reflect the Registry Interpreters for the Deaf’s certification requirements for those who are not deaf or hard of hearing, which constitutes the majority of sign language interpreters. | Fees increased $240 (except in Maine, where fees increased $220, and Alabama, where fees increased $145). Education decreased 40 clock hours (except Alabama, which saw no change). |
| February 22, 2018 | IL, RI and WV | Interpreter, Sign Language | Data were updated to reflect an easier route to licensure. | Fees decreased $345 in Illinois, $110 in Rhode Island and $445 in West Virginia. Four years and 40 clock hours of education eliminated. A minimum age of 18 years is required in Rhode Island. |
| February 22, 2018 | WV | HVAC Contractor (Commercial & Residential) and Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial & Residential) | H.B. 4392 requires a technician’s license in addition to a contractor’s license, effective January 1, 2016. | Fees increased $42. Experience increased 8,000 clock hours. One more exam is required. A minimum age of 18 years is required. |
| February 22, 2018 | WV | Upholsterer | SB 419 increased fees as of July 6, 2017. | Fees increased $80. |
Table 1. Breath of Licensure
| Occupation | States Licensed |
|---|---|
| Animal Breeder | 28 |
| Animal Control Officer | 7 |
| Animal Trainer | 9 |
| Athletic Trainer | 49 |
| Auctioneer | 30 |
| Barber | 51 |
| Bartender | 13 |
| Bill Collection Agency | 31 |
| Bus Driver, City/Transit | 51 |
| Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) | 25 |
| Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial) | 24 |
| Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Child Care Home, Family | 44 |
| Coach, Head (High School Sports) | 47 |
| Conveyor Operator | 1 |
| Cosmetologist | 51 |
| Crane Operator | 18 |
| Dental Assistant | 9 |
| Dietetic Technician | 2 |
| Door Repair Contractor (Commercial) | 24 |
| Door Repair Contractor (Residential) | 29 |
| Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial) | 25 |
| Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Earth Driller, Water Well | 51 |
| Electrical Helper | 2 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | 51 |
| Farm Labor Contractor | 10 |
| Fire Alarm Installer | 39 |
| Fisher, Commercial | 43 |
| Floor Sander Contractor (Commercial) | 22 |
| Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) | 27 |
| Florist | 1 |
| Forest Worker | 1 |
| Funeral Attendant | 3 |
| Gaming Cage Worker | 29 |
| Gaming Dealer | 28 |
| Gaming Supervisor | 30 |
| Glazier Contractor (Commercial) | 26 |
| Glazier Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Home Entertainment Installer | 1 |
| HVAC Contractor (Commercial) | 37 |
| HVAC Contractor (Residential) | 35 |
| Insulation Contractor (Commercial) | 25 |
| Insulation Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Interior Designer | 4 |
| Interpreter, Sign Language | 22 |
| Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) | 26 |
| Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) | 30 |
| Landscape Contractor (Commercial) | 47 |
| Landscape Contractor (Residential) | 48 |
| Locksmith | 14 |
| Log Scaler | 2 |
| Makeup Artist | 41 |
| Manicurist | 50 |
| Mason Contractor (Commercial) | 26 |
| Mason Contractor (Residential) | 31 |
| Massage Therapist | 44 |
| Midwife, Direct Entry | 28 |
| Milk Sampler | 42 |
| Mobile Home Installer | 39 |
| Nursery Worker | 2 |
| Optician | 22 |
| Packer | 6 |
| Painting Contractor (Commercial) | 22 |
| Painting Contractor (Residential) | 28 |
| Paving Contractor (Commercial) | 24 |
| Paving Contractor (Residential) | 28 |
| Pest Control Applicator | 51 |
| Pharmacy Technician | 44 |
| Pipelayer Contractor | 27 |
| Preschool Teacher, Public School | 50 |
| Psychiatric Aide | 1 |
| Psychiatric Technician | 5 |
| School Bus Driver | 51 |
| Security Alarm Installer | 37 |
| Security Guard, Unarmed | 34 |
| Shampooer | 37 |
| Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) | 37 |
| Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) | 36 |
| Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial) | 26 |
| Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) | 31 |
| Skin Care Specialist | 50 |
| Slot Supervisor | 28 |
| Social and Human Service Assistant | 1 |
| Still Machine Setter, Dairy Equipment | 3 |
| Taxi Driver/Chauffeur | 16 |
| Taxidermist | 28 |
| Teacher Assistant, Non-Instructional | 5 |
| Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial) | 23 |
| Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) | 28 |
| Title Examiner | 7 |
| Travel Agency | 7 |
| Travel Guide | 37 |
| Tree Trimmer | 7 |
| Truck Driver, Other | 51 |
| Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer | 51 |
| Upholsterer | 10 |
| Vegetation Pesticide Applicator | 51 |
| Veterinary Technician | 36 |
| Weigher | 25 |
| Wildlife Control Operator | 23 |
Table 2. Number and Percentage of Lower-Income Occupations Licensed by State
| State | Number of 102 Lower-Incomce Occupations Licensed | Percentage of 102 Lower-Income Occupations Licensed |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 77 | 75.5% |
| Washington | 77 | 75.5% |
| California | 76 | 74.5% |
| Nevada | 75 | 73.5% |
| Arkansas | 72 | 70.6% |
| Iowa | 71 | 69.6% |
| Rhode Island | 71 | 69.6% |
| Tennessee | 71 | 69.6% |
| West Virginia | 70 | 68.6% |
| Oregon | 69 | 67.6% |
| Arizona | 68 | 66.7% |
| Virginia | 68 | 66.7% |
| Idaho | 67 | 65.7% |
| North Carolina | 67 | 65.7% |
| Mississippi | 66 | 64.7% |
| New Mexico | 66 | 64.7% |
| North Dakota | 65 | 63.7% |
| Connecticut | 64 | 62.7% |
| Utah | 64 | 62.7% |
| Alabama | 63 | 61.8% |
| Alaska | 63 | 61.8% |
| Hawaii | 63 | 61.8% |
| Nebraska | 63 | 61.8% |
| D C | 60 | 58.8% |
| South Carolina | 60 | 58.8% |
| Maryland | 59 | 57.8% |
| Florida | 56 | 54.9% |
| New Jersey | 54 | 52.9% |
| Pennsylvania | 51 | 50.0% |
| Massachusetts | 50 | 49.0% |
| Michigan | 49 | 48.0% |
| Maine | 45 | 44.1% |
| Delaware | 44 | 43.1% |
| Wisconsin | 42 | 41.2% |
| Georgia | 41 | 40.2% |
| New York | 41 | 40.2% |
| Oklahoma | 41 | 40.2% |
| Illinois | 40 | 39.2% |
| Ohio | 40 | 39.2% |
| New Hampshire | 38 | 37.3% |
| Indiana | 37 | 36.3% |
| Kentucky | 37 | 36.3% |
| Missouri | 37 | 36.3% |
| Texas | 37 | 36.3% |
| Kansas | 35 | 34.3% |
| Colorado | 34 | 33.3% |
| Minnesota | 34 | 33.3% |
| Montana | 32 | 31.4% |
| South Dakota | 32 | 31.4% |
| Vermont | 31 | 30.4% |
| Wyoming | 26 | 25.5% |