California

License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing

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Highlights

62 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed
7th most burdensome licensing laws
2nd most extensively and onerously licensed state

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Summary

California is the second most broadly and onerously licensed state in the country. The state requires a license to work in 62 of the low- and moderate-income occupations surveyed -- more than any state but Louisiana and Arizona. The laws themselves are the seventh most burdensome -- on average, applicants to licensed occupations can expect to pay $300, lose 549 days to education and experience requirements and pass one exam.

Few states emulate California's onerous licensing of construction trades. California imposes four years of education and experience requirements with attendant fees and examinations on would-be workers. Many states either require no education or experience or do not license these occupations at all.

California is one of only a few states that license tree trimmers (seven states), landscape workers (10), dietetic technicians (three), psychiatric aides (two), still machine setters (two), funeral attendants (nine), dental assistants (seven) and farm labor contractors (nine). The requirements are often very burdensome as well. California requires that tree trimmers and landscape contractors hold a contractor's license, costing aspirants four years of training -- the most onerous requirements in the nation for those jobs.

California also has the nation's most onerous requirements for mobile home installers, who need 1,460 training days to work in California; the national average for the occupation is 245. Save for Florida, California is the only state to require farm labor contractors to pass a test. Of the 13 states that license pharmacy technicians, only four -- California included -- have an education and experience requirement. California, Arizona and Illinois each require two years of training. Of the 46 states that license teachers' assistants, only 10 have an education and training requirement. California's -- at two years -- is the longest, tied with five other states.

California could improve job prospects for its residents by lifting or easing these high licensing burdens.

Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	Occupation	Number of States that License	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Tree Trimmer	7	851	1,460	2	0	18
2	Mason Contractor (General/Commercial)	29	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Door Repair Contractor	35	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Mobile Home Installer	39	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Pipelayer Contractor	29	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Iron/Steel Contractor (General/Commercial)	31	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Insulation Contractor (General/Commercial)	29	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	HVAC Contractor (General/Commercial)	40	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Sheet Metal Contractor (General/Commercial)	28	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Glazier Contractor (General/Commercial)	30	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Painting Contractor (General/Commercial)	28	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Drywall Installation Contractor (General/Commercial)	30	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Floor Sander Contractor (General/Commercial)	29	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Paving Equipment Operator Contractor	27	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Cement Finishing Contractor (General/Commercial)	29	451	1,460	2	0	18
2	Carpenter/Cabinet Maker Contractor (General/Commercial)	30	451	1,460	2	0	18
17	Terrazzo Contractor (General/Commercial)	29	451	1,460	1	0	18
18	Landscape Worker	10	400	1,460	1	0	0
19	Animal Trainer	20	250	1,095	0	0	0
20	Security Alarm Installer	34	156	933	1	0	18
21	Dietetic Technician	3	0	835	1	0	18
22	Teacher Assistant	29	45	730	1	12	0
23	Pharmacy Technician	12	101	730	0	12	0
24	Veterinary Technologist	37	250	730	1	0	0
25	Psychiatric Technician	4	396	357	1	12	18
26	Cosmetologist	51	125	373	2	10	17
27	Barber	50	125	350	2	10	17
28	Tank Tester	14	300	365	1	0	0
29	Makeup Artist	36	115	140	2	10	17
29	Skin Care Specialist	50	115	140	2	10	17
31	Preschool Teacher	49	106	365	0	0	0
32	Midwife	29	366	238	2	0	0
33	Optician	22	141	0	2	12	18
34	Manicurist	50	35	93	2	10	0
35	Psychiatric Aide	2	0	245	1	0	0
36	Gaming Supervisor	23	1950	0	0	0	21
37	School Bus Driver	51	59	4	6	0	21
38	Cathodic Protection Tester	16	1500	8	2	0	0
39	Bus Driver (City/Transit)	51	34	0	5	0	18
40	Truck Driver	51	34	0	4	0	18
41	Crane Operator	18	165	0	3	0	18
42	Emergency Medical Technician	51	70	28	2	0	18
43	Vegetation Pesticide Handler	51	180	0	2	0	18
44	Gaming Dealer	24	275	0	0	0	21
44	Gaming Cage Worker	22	275	0	0	0	21
46	Slot Key Person	21	250	0	0	0	21
47	Pest Control Applicator	51	25	0	1	0	18
48	Farm Labor Contractor	9	600	0	1	0	0
49	Security Guard	37	106	0	0	0	18
50	Funeral Attendant	9	100	0	0	0	18
51	Fisher	41	120	0	0	0	16
52	Child Care Worker	33	0	4	0	0	18
53	Still Machine Setter	2	75	0	2	0	0
54	Fire Alarm Installer	34	531	0	0	0	0
55	Travel Agent	8	375	0	0	0	0
56	Upholsterer	7	360	0	0	0	0
57	Dental Assistant	7	75	6	0	0	0
58	Travel Guide	21	118	0	0	0	0
59	Weigher	24	75	0	0	0	0
59	Milk Sampler	34	75	0	0	0	0
61	Locksmith	13	71	0	0	0	0
62	Auctioneer	33	30	0	0	0	0