Michigan

49 of 102 lower-income occupations licensed
33rd most burdensome licensing laws
30th most broadly and onerously licensed state

Michigan licenses 49 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here, which is fewer than the national average. Its laws are the 33rd most burdensome. On average, Michigan’s barriers to entry into lower-income occupations are $242 in fees, 255 days lost to education and experience, and approximately two exams. It ranks as the 30th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Michigan licenses some occupations that are not licensed by other states. For example, 15 states do not license veterinary technicians at all, but to work in Michigan they must pay $350 in fees, complete two years (730 days) of education and pass an exam. Similarly, many states do not license animal control officers (44), taxi drivers and chauffeurs (35), or residential painting contractors (23), among other occupations. Michigan also imposes more onerous requirements than many other states for some occupations. Fire alarm installers, for example, must pay $1,045 in fees before becoming licensed. That is nearly twice the $557 average across states that license the occupation.

Michigan 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, people wishing to start a bill collection agency must demonstrate six months (roughly 182 days) of experience to receive a license. Meanwhile, EMTs must complete only 194 hours (about 45 days) of education. Not only is it illogical to require four times as much training for bill collection agencies as for emergency first responders, but 20 states do not license bill collection agencies at all. Michigan can expand employment opportunities in the state by reducing or repealing irrationally burdensome licensing requirements, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing licensing with less restrictive regulatory alternatives such as insurance, inspections or voluntary certification.

Burden Rank Occupation Fees Estimated Calendar Days Lost Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 Preschool Teacher, Public School $445 2555 4 years 3 years 2 0 18
2 Athletic Trainer $638 1460 4 years - 1 0 0
3 HVAC Contractor (Commercial) $400 1095 - 3 years 1 0 0
3 HVAC Contractor (Residential) $400 1095 - 3 years 1 0 0
3 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) $400 1095 - 3 years 1 0 0
3 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) $400 1095 - 3 years 1 0 0
7 Fire Alarm Installer $1045 730 - 2 years 4 0 20
8 Earth Driller, Water Well $40 730 - 2 years 2 12 18
9 Veterinary Technician $350 730 2 years - 1 0 0
10 Barber $30 420 1800 clock hours - 2 10 17
11 Cosmetologist $200 350 1500 clock hours - 2 9 17
11 Shampooer $200 350 1500 clock hours - 2 9 17
13 Bill Collection Agency $300 182 - 6 months 1 12 18
14 Makeup Artist $200 93 400 clock hours - 2 9 17
14 Manicurist $200 93 400 clock hours - 2 9 17
14 Skin Care Specialist $200 93 400 clock hours - 2 9 17
17 Massage Therapist $290 117 500 clock hours - 1 12 0
18 Security Alarm Installer $625 0 - - 1 12 21
19 School Bus Driver $70 3 18 clock hours - 6 0 18
20 Child Care Home, Family $110 1 - 6 clock hours 0 12 18
21 Bus Driver, City/Transit $65 0 - - 5 0 18
22 Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer $60 0 - - 5 0 18
23 Emergency Medical Technician $120 45 194 clock hours - 2 0 18
24 Gaming Supervisor $750 0 - - 0 0 21
24 Slot Supervisor $750 0 - - 0 0 21
26 Pharmacy Technician $184 0 - - 1 12 0
27 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Door Repair Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Mason Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Painting Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
27 Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 2 0 18
34 Truck Driver, Other $60 0 - - 4 0 18
35 Vegetation Pesticide Applicator $75 0 - - 3 0 18
36 Insulation Contractor (Residential) $286 14 60 clock hours - 0 0 18
37 Pest Control Applicator $75 0 - - 2 0 18
38 Gaming Cage Worker $200 0 - - 0 0 21
38 Gaming Dealer $200 0 - - 0 0 21
40 Taxi Driver/Chauffeur $35 0 - - 1 0 18
41 Coach, Head (High School Sports) $0 1 7 clock hours - 0 0 18
42 Milk Sampler $50 0 - - 2 0 0
43 Mobile Home Installer $150 1 8 clock hours - 1 0 0
44 Animal Control Officer $0 23 100 clock hours - 0 0 0
45 Taxidermist $100 0 - - 0 0 0
46 Fisher, Commercial $66 0 - - 0 0 0
47 Landscape Contractor (Commercial) $35 0 - - 0 0 0
47 Landscape Contractor (Residential) $35 0 - - 0 0 0
49 Animal Breeder $18 0 - - 0 0 0