Pennsylvania

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

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Highlights

44 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed
51st most burdensome licensing laws
38th most extensively and onerously licensed state

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Summary

Pennsylvania has the least burdensome licensing laws, but because it requires a license for 44 of the 102 low- to moderate-income occupations studied, it ranks as the 38th most broadly and onerously licensed state. Aspiring practitioners of these occupations pay $176 in fees, lose 113 days to training and take one exam.

For 23 of the 44 occupations, the state requires only fees. In five of these occupations, Pennsylvania's fees are the highest in the nation. Pennsylvania charges $2,500 in fees to become a gaming supervisor, more than five times the average of $449. The state charges $350 to become a gaming cage worker, gaming dealer, slot key person or a travel agent, which all average around $200 in the other states.

Twenty-one of the occupations Pennsylvania licenses are also licensed by less than half of the other states. This includes 12 contractor occupations, which require $50 in fees. Upholsterers are licensed in only seven states and must pay $50 to work in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania could assist low-income workers by reducing or eliminating barriers to entry, including fees.

Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	Occupation	Number of States that License	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Preschool Teacher	49	133	1,825	2	0	0
2	Athletic Trainer	46	320	1,460	1	0	0
3	Veterinary Technologist	37	235	730	1	0	0
4	Cosmetologist	51	149	292	2	10	16
5	Barber	50	159	292	2	8	16
6	Skin Care Specialist	50	159	70	2	10	16
6	Makeup Artist	36	159	70	2	10	16
8	Massage Therapist	39	300	117	3	0	18
9	Gaming Supervisor	23	2500	0	0	0	18
10	School Bus Driver	51	42	3	6	0	18
11	Teacher Assistant	29	45	0	1	12	0
12	Bus Driver (City/Transit)	51	42	0	5	0	18
13	Emergency Medical Technician	51	0	33	2	0	16
14	Truck Driver	51	42	0	4	0	18
15	Manicurist	50	149	47	2	0	0
16	Crane Operator	18	0	0	3	0	18
17	Pest Control Applicator	51	60	0	2	0	18
17	Vegetation Pesticide Handler	51	60	0	2	0	18
19	Gaming Cage Worker	22	350	0	0	0	18
19	Slot Key Person	21	350	0	0	0	18
19	Travel Agent	8	350	0	0	0	18
19	Gaming Dealer	24	350	0	0	0	18
23	Weigher	24	60	0	0	0	18
24	Auctioneer	33	220	5	1	0	0
25	Tank Tester	14	0	9	1	0	0
26	Mobile Home Installer	39	350	2	0	0	0
27	Animal Breeder	26	295	0	0	0	0
28	Milk Sampler	34	5	0	1	0	0
29	Taxidermist	26	100	0	0	0	0
30	Earth Driller	47	85	0	0	0	0
31	Painting Contractor (Residential)	10	50	0	0	0	0
31	Door Repair Contractor	35	50	0	0	0	0
31	Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential)	9	50	0	0	0	0
31	Terrazzo Contractor (Residential)	8	50	0	0	0	0
31	Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential)	11	50	0	0	0	0
31	Sheet Metal Contractor (Residential)	7	50	0	0	0	0
31	Insulation Contractor (Residential)	10	50	0	0	0	0
31	Carpenter/Cabinet Maker (Residential)	10	50	0	0	0	0
31	Glazier Contractor (Residential)	9	50	0	0	0	0
31	Drywall Installation Contractor (Residential)	9	50	0	0	0	0
31	Upholsterer	7	50	0	0	0	0
31	Floor Sander Contractor (Residential)	9	50	0	0	0	0
31	Mason Contractor (Residential)	10	50	0	0	0	0
44	Animal Trainer	20	45	0	0	0	0