Michigan
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 |