New York

New York licenses 41 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here, which is fewer than most other states. Its laws are the 32nd most burdensome, requiring an average of $279 in fees, 275 days of education and experience, and around two exams. New York ranks as the 37th most broadly and onerously licensed state.

Despite licensing fewer occupations than average, New York licenses some occupations that are rarely licensed elsewhere. For example, few other states license animal trainers (eight), upholsterers (nine), farm labor contractors (nine) or crane operators (17). Not only are crane operators unlicensed by most states, but they also face particularly heavy burdens in New York. Aspiring crane operators in the Empire State must demonstrate three years (1,095 days) of experience before they can work. But the average education and experience required of crane operators across licensed states is only 222 days of education and experience—just one fifth of the time required by New York. New York also requires much higher fees for some occupations than other states. While the national average fees for pesticide applicator licenses are $260, New York charges $3,000 for its vegetation pesticide applicator license and $2,200 for its pest control applicator one.

New York also imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, its education requirements for veterinary technicians are considerably higher than those for EMTs, who provide emergency first aid to humans. Aspiring EMTs study for about a month (118 hours or an estimated 28 days), while would-be vet techs need 26 times more education—two years (730 days)—to become licensed. New York should evaluate whether such onerous licensing requirements can be reduced, repealed or—if government regulation is necessary—replaced with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.