Ohio

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

Alaska Alabama Arkansas Arizona California Connecticut Colorado Washington, D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Iowa Idaho Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Maine Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Nevada New York Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Virginia Vermont Washington Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming

Highlights

31 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed
16th most burdensome licensing laws
39th most extensively and onerously licensed state

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Summary

Ohio licenses 31 of the 102 low- to moderate-income occupations studied, fewer than most states, but it imposes substantial burdens on workers wishing to enter those occupations. Ohio has the 16th most burdensome licensing laws, with average requirements of $137 in fees, 341 days and one exam.

In some of the 31 licensed occupations, Ohio has exceptionally high barriers compared to the other states. For example, aspiring commercial HVAC contractors lose five years to experience before getting a license, more than twice the national average. Ohio requires that school bus drivers possess a driver's license for two years prior to working. Thirty-one states have no such requirement, requiring instead tests, fees, a minimum age and in some states a short course or training session. Ohio is one of only five states that require a year or more of training to become an auctioneer. Ohio is also one of only three states to license dietetic technicians and one of seven states to license social and human service assistants. The state requires two years of training to perform both of these jobs.

Some of Ohio's licensure requirements also appear excessive compared to those of other occupations licensed by the state. For example, Ohio requires aspiring emergency medical technicans to undertake only about one month of training. But skin care specialists must complete 140 days, massage therapists 175 days and cosmetologists 350 days, and auctioneers and barbers must train for more than a year.

Ohio could expand its low-income workers' job prospects by reducing or eliminating such burdensome licensing laws.

Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	Occupation	Number of States that License	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	HVAC Contractor (General/Commercial)	40	85	1,825	1	0	18
2	Preschool Teacher	49	80	1,825	1	0	0
3	Athletic Trainer	46	400	1,460	2	0	0
4	School Bus Driver	51	205	735	6	0	18
5	Veterinary Technologist	37	281	730	1	0	0
6	Dietetic Technician	3	0	730	1	0	0
7	Social and Human Service Assistant	7	40	730	0	0	0
8	Optician	22	96	467	2	12	18
9	Barber	50	120	420	2	8	18
10	Auctioneer	33	440	384	3	0	18
11	Cosmetologist	51	76	350	2	10	16
12	Mobile Home Installer	39	370	377	1	0	0
13	Massage Therapist	39	285	175	1	12	0
14	Makeup Artist	36	51	140	2	10	16
14	Skin Care Specialist	50	51	140	2	10	16
16	Emergency Medical Technician	51	70	30	2	12	18
17	Manicurist	50	76	47	2	10	0
18	Bus Driver (City/Transit)	51	162	0	5	0	18
19	Truck Driver	51	119	0	4	0	18
20	Gaming Supervisor	23	250	0	0	0	21
20	Gaming Dealer	24	250	0	0	0	21
20	Gaming Cage Worker	22	250	0	0	0	21
20	Slot Key Person	21	250	0	0	0	21
24	Teacher Assistant	29	25	0	0	12	0
25	Pest Control Applicator	51	35	0	2	0	0
25	Vegetation Pesticide Handler	51	35	0	2	0	0
27	Milk Sampler	34	15	0	1	0	0
28	Security Guard	37	50	0	0	0	0
28	Travel Guide	21	50	0	0	0	0
30	Animal Breeder	26	10	0	0	0	0
30	Weigher	24	10	0	0	0	0