Texas

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

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Highlights

34 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed
17th most burdensome licensing laws
32nd most extensively and onerously licensed state

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

Summary

Texas licenses 34 lower-income occupations, fewer than most states, but has the 17th most burdensome licensing laws. These laws impose an average of $304 in fees, 326 days of training and two exams on those wishing to enter licensed occupations. Texas can promote employment for low-income workers by reducing these high barriers -- or eliminating them altogether.

Texas outpaces most other states' education and experience requirements for a few occupations. Because they must be licensed teachers, aspiring school sports coaches lose four years to education, one of only four states to require anything remotely close to that. Texas is the only state to require more than two weeks of training to become a backflow prevention assembly tester, and it requires two years.

Aspiring practitioners in Texas also face high fees. For example, fishers must pay fees of $4,800 -- 10 times higher than the average fee of $403. Texas is also one of only five states to license shampooers, requiring a worker to pay $128 in fees and to pass two exams in order to wash somebody's hair.

In Texas, it takes just 33 days of training to earn a license as an emergency medical technician. But it takes substantially more to become a licensed massage therapist (117 days), manicurist (140), skin care specialist (175), cosmetologist (350) or barber (350). Occupations like these, where training required does not line up with public safety concerns, make possible targets for reform, as well as occupations that are more difficult to enter in Texas than elsewhere.

Licensing Requirements

Burden Rank	Occupation	Number of States that License	Fees	Education/Experience (Days)	Exams	Minimum Grade	Minimum Age
1	Preschool Teacher	49	117	1,825	2	0	18
2	Athletic Trainer	46	669	1,460	3	0	0
3	Coach (School Sports)	24	0	1,460	0	0	0
4	HVAC Contractor (General/Commercial)	40	178	1,095	1	0	18
5	Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester	18	111	739	1	12	0
6	Security Alarm Installer	34	58	733	1	0	18
6	Fire Alarm Installer	34	58	733	1	0	18
8	Midwife	29	275	730	2	0	0
9	Earth Driller	47	270	730	1	0	0
10	Cosmetologist	51	178	350	2	12	17
11	Barber	50	70	350	2	0	16
12	Pest Control Applicator	51	115	381	1	0	0
13	Skin Care Specialist	50	181	175	2	12	17
14	Manicurist	50	53	140	2	12	0
15	Massage Therapist	39	204	117	3	0	18
16	Emergency Medical Technician	51	134	33	2	12	18
17	Auctioneer	33	175	19	1	12	18
18	School Bus Driver	51	76	3	6	0	18
19	Fisher	41	4800	0	0	0	0
20	Child Care Worker	33	2	2	0	12	18
21	Bus Driver (City/Transit)	51	76	0	5	0	18
22	Truck Driver	51	61	0	4	0	18
23	Security Guard	37	58	7	2	0	18
24	Animal Trainer	20	87	0	2	0	18
25	Iron/Steel Contractor (General/Commercial)	31	500	0	0	0	18
25	Door Repair Contractor	35	500	0	0	0	18
27	Vegetation Pesticide Handler	51	204	0	3	0	0
28	Locksmith	13	45	0	0	0	18
29	Optician	22	105	1	2	0	0
30	Mobile Home Installer	39	600	3	1	0	0
31	Shampooer	5	128	0	2	0	0
32	Milk Sampler	34	0	1	1	0	0
33	Animal Control Officer	17	115	2	0	0	0
34	Travel Guide	21	125	0	0	0	0