Connecticut

64 of 102 lower-income occupations licensed
24th most burdensome licensing laws
18th most broadly and onerously licensed state

Connecticut licenses 64 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here. Its laws are the 24th most burdensome, requiring, on average, $264 in fees, 361 days lost to education and experience, and approximately one exam. Because it licenses an above-average number of occupations, these burdens make Connecticut the 18th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Connecticut imposes education burdens and fees on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, in Connecticut, it is more difficult to become a massage therapist than an EMT. To practice their craft, would-be massage therapists must complete 500 hours (roughly 117 days) of education and pay a $575 fee, while EMTs must complete only 150 hours (about 35 days) of education and pay an $80 fee.

Particularly troubling, Connecticut licenses two occupations that are licensed by no other states: home entertainment installers and forest workers. Home entertainment installers must sacrifice about 575 days to education and experience (comprising one year of experience and 900 hours of education), pay $185 in fees, and pass an exam before they can get to work. Forest workers must pay $300 in fees and pass an exam. Connecticut should consider reducing or repealing such unnecessary licensing burdens, or—if government regulation is necessary—replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.

Burden Rank Occupation Fees Estimated Calendar Days Lost Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 Preschool Teacher, Public School $1095 2673 4 years 40 months 2 0 0
2 Fire Alarm Installer $435 2190 - 6 years 3 0 18
2 Security Alarm Installer $435 2190 - 6 years 3 0 18
4 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) $465 2190 - 6 years 3 0 0
5 Earth Driller, Water Well $371 1825 - 5 years 3 0 0
6 Glazier Contractor (Commercial) $315 1825 - 5 years 2 0 0
7 HVAC Contractor (Commercial) $465 1561 - 4 years and 432 clock hours 3 0 18
8 Interpreter, Sign Language $675* 1469* 4 years and 40 clock hours* - 2 0 18
9 HVAC Contractor (Residential) $465 1460 - 4 years 3 0 18
10 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) $465 1460 - 4 years 3 0 0
11 Athletic Trainer $490 1460 4 years - 1 0 0
12 Optician $650 730 2 years - 4 12 18
13 Crane Operator $100 730 - 2 years 2 0 18
14 Home Entertainment Installer $185 575 900 clock hours 1 years 1 12 0
15 Cosmetologist $100 350 1500 clock hours - 1 9 0
16 Barber $100 233 1000 clock hours - 1 8 0
17 Coach, Head (High School Sports) $0 11 48 clock hours - 0 12 18
18 School Bus Driver $141 2 10 clock hours - 6 0 21
19 Tree Trimmer $725 0 - - 2 0 18
20 Massage Therapist $575 117 500 clock hours - 1 0 0
21 Bus Driver, City/Transit $136 0 - - 5 0 21
22 Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer $131 0 - - 5 0 18
23 Pest Control Applicator $400 0 - - 3 0 18
23 Vegetation Pesticide Applicator $400 0 - - 3 0 18
25 Truck Driver, Other $126 0 - - 4 0 18
26 Emergency Medical Technician $80 35 150 clock hours - 2 0 16
27 Fisher, Commercial $385 0 - - 0 0 16
28 Security Guard, Unarmed $201 1 8 clock hours - 0 0 18
29 Child Care Home, Family $52 0 - - 0 0 20
30 Bill Collection Agency $500 0 - - 0 0 0
30 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) $500 0 - - 0 0 0
30 Insulation Contractor (Commercial) $500 0 - - 0 0 0
30 Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) $500 0 - - 0 0 0
30 Mason Contractor (Commercial) $500 0 - - 0 0 0
35 Weigher $40 0 - - 0 0 18
36 Taxi Driver/Chauffeur $12 0 - - 0 0 18
37 Forest Worker $300 0 - - 1 0 0
38 Wildlife Control Operator $250 1 8.5 clock hours - 1 0 0
39 Locksmith $243 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Door Repair Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Glazier Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Insulation Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Mason Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Painting Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Paving Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
40 Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) $220 0 - - 0 0 0
53 Animal Trainer $50 0 - - 1 0 0
54 Milk Sampler $20 0 - - 1 0 0
55 Taxidermist $105 0 - - 0 0 0
56 Pharmacy Technician $100 0 - - 0 0 0
56 Travel Guide $100 0 - - 0 0 0
58 Upholsterer $75 0 - - 0 0 0
59 Animal Breeder $50 0 - - 0 0 0
60 Gaming Cage Worker $0 0 - - 0 0 0
60 Gaming Dealer $0 0 - - 0 0 0
60 Gaming Supervisor $0 0 - - 0 0 0
60 Landscape Contractor (Residential) $0 0 - - 0 0 0
60 Slot Supervisor $0 0 - - 0 0 0