Mississippi

66 of 102 lower-income occupations licensed
46th most burdensome licensing laws
19th most broadly and onerously licensed state

Mississippi’s licensing laws for lower-income occupations are only the 46th most burdensome in the nation, requiring, on average, $330 in fees, 160 days of education and experience, and roughly two exams. However, because Mississippi licenses more lower-income occupations than average—66 of the 102 studied here—it is the 19th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Mississippi’s laws are less burdensome than most, but its fees for some licenses are much higher than average. For example, fire and security alarm installers face fees of $1,090 before they can work in Mississippi. But the average fees across other states that license those occupations are about half that—$557 and $487, respectively.

Mississippi also imposes more extensive education requirements on some occupations than on others that may present greater risks to the public. For example, barbers and cosmetologists must complete roughly 350 days (1,500 hours) of education—nearly a year—to become licensed. Similarly, makeup artists must complete around 140 days (600 hours) of education and manicurists around 82 days (350 hours). EMTs, on the other hand, are deemed capable first responders after just 28 days (120 hours) of education. Mississippi can expand opportunity for workers by easing its barriers to entry for personal care occupations and other lower-income occupations. In keeping with 2017 legislation that enacted a policy favoring less restrictive alternatives to licensing, the state should also review all existing licenses to identify those that can be repealed and—if government regulation is necessary—replaced with less burdensome alternatives.

Burden Rank Occupation Fees Estimated Calendar Days Lost Education Experience Exams Minimum Grade Minimum Age
1 Preschool Teacher, Public School $442 1460 4 years - 3 0 0
2 Athletic Trainer $400 1460 4 years - 1 0 0
3 Earth Driller, Water Well $620 1095 - 3 years 4 0 21
4 Landscape Contractor (Commercial) $640 797 2 years 3 jobs, contractors 3 0 0
5 Veterinary Technician $410 730 2 years - 2 0 18
6 Landscape Contractor (Residential) $0 730 2 years - 1 0 0
7 Cosmetologist $233 350 1500 clock hours - 2 12 17
8 Barber $85 350 1500 clock hours - 2 12 0
8 Shampooer $85 350 1500 clock hours - 2 12 0
10 Massage Therapist $581 163 700 clock hours - 2 12 18
11 Vegetation Pesticide Applicator $0 210 30 credit hours - 3 0 18
12 Child Care Home, Family $160 170 24 credit hours 13 clock hours 0 12 21
13 Skin Care Specialist $233 140 600 clock hours - 2 12 18
14 Makeup Artist $233 140 600 clock hours - 2 12 17
15 Manicurist $233 82 350 clock hours - 2 12 17
16 Fire Alarm Installer $1090 72 28 clock hours 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
16 Security Alarm Installer $1090 72 28 clock hours 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
18 Pest Control Applicator $0 105 15 credit hours - 2 0 18
19 Emergency Medical Technician $145 28 120 clock hours - 2 12 18
20 Auctioneer $300 11 7.5 days - 1 12 18
21 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Cement Finishing Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Drywall Installation Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Glazier Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 HVAC Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Insulation Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Iron/Steel Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Painting Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Paving Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Pipelayer Contractor $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
21 Terrazzo Contractor (Commercial) $640 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
34 School Bus Driver $77 1 8 clock hours - 6 0 18
35 Door Repair Contractor (Commercial) $520 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 1 0 0
35 Mason Contractor (Commercial) $520 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 1 0 0
37 Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Door Repair Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Floor Sander Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Glazier Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 HVAC Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Insulation Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Mason Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Painting Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Paving Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Sheet Metal Contractor, HVAC (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Sheet Metal Contractor, Other (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
37 Terrazzo Contractor (Residential) $290 67 - 3 jobs, contractors 2 0 0
52 Bus Driver, City/Transit $90 0 - - 5 0 18
53 Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer $85 0 - - 5 0 17
54 Pharmacy Technician $90 0 - - 0 12 18
55 Truck Driver, Other $85 0 - - 4 0 17
56 Gaming Cage Worker $75 0 - - 0 0 21
56 Gaming Dealer $75 0 - - 0 0 21
56 Gaming Supervisor $75 0 - - 0 0 21
56 Slot Supervisor $75 0 - - 0 0 21
60 Interpreter, Sign Language $225 0 - - 2 0 0
61 Weigher $25 0 - - 0 0 21
62 Mobile Home Installer $100 0 - - 1 0 0
63 Milk Sampler $0 0 - - 1 0 0
64 Fisher, Commercial $30 0 - - 0 0 0
65 Coach, Head (High School Sports) $0 1 4.5 clock hours - 0 0 0
66 Taxidermist $12 0 - - 0 0 0