License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Georgia
Highlights
33 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed18th most burdensome licensing laws
37th most extensively and onerously licensed state
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
Summary
Georgia licenses only 33 of the 102 occupations studied here, but it imposes the 18th most burdensome requirements on workers wishing to enter those occupations. On average, these licensing schemes cost Georgians $167 in fees and 324 days spent in training and require them to pass two exams.Georgia is one of only two states that require landscape contractors to pass two examinations. And it is one of only 10 states that license landscape contractors at all. Georgia's license for teacher's assistant is among the most onerous in the nation. Of the 46 states that license the occupation, 19 have no education and experience requirements. Georgia is one of six states that require two years of training for the occupation.
Georgia requires HVAC contractors to obtain more than four years of experience for a license compared to a national average of almost two-and-a-half years. Manicurists need 123 days of state-mandated training compared to a national average of 87 days. Skin care specialists need 233 days compared to a national average of 149.
To improve employment prospects for low- and middle-income Georgians, the state could reduce or repeal such barriers to entry.
(Last updated May 1, 2012)
Licensing Requirements
| Burden Rank | Occupation | Number of States that License | Fees | Education/Experience (Days) | Exams | Minimum Grade | Minimum Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preschool Teacher | 49 | $20 | 1,825 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Athletic Trainer | 46 | $350 | 1,460 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | HVAC Contractor (General/Commercial) | 40 | $446 | 1,462 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Optician | 22 | $115 | 700 | 3 | 12 | 18 |
| 5 | School Bus Driver | 51 | $80 | 734 | 6 | 0 | 18 |
| 6 | Teacher Assistant | 29 | $45 | 730 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
| 7 | Earth Driller | 47 | $500 | 730 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 8 | Veterinary Technologist | 37 | $250 | 730 | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| 9 | Midwife | 29 | $240 | 730 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 10 | Cosmetologist | 51 | $125 | 350 | 2 | 12 | 17 |
| 11 | Barber | 50 | $95 | 350 | 2 | 7 | 16 |
| 12 | Skin Care Specialist | 50 | $119 | 233 | 2 | 12 | 17 |
| 13 | Security Alarm Installer | 34 | $72 | 365 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Auctioneer | 33 | $700 | 19 | 2 | 12 | 18 |
| 15 | Massage Therapist | 39 | $125 | 117 | 1 | 12 | 18 |
| 16 | Manicurist | 50 | $45 | 123 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | Bus Driver (City/Transit) | 51 | $120 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 |
| 18 | Child Care Worker | 33 | $32 | 4 | 0 | 12 | 18 |
| 19 | Truck Driver | 51 | $115 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 18 |
| 20 | Emergency Medical Technician | 51 | $95 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 21 | Animal Control Officer | 17 | $495 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | Security Guard | 37 | $70 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 23 | Fire Alarm Installer | 34 | $330 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | Mobile Home Installer | 39 | $270 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | Taxi Driver/Chauffeur | 12 | $15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| 26 | Landscape Worker | 10 | $75 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Pest Control Applicator | 51 | $70 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | Vegetation Pesticide Handler | 51 | $70 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 29 | Animal Breeder | 26 | $200 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Taxidermist | 26 | $150 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 31 | Milk Sampler | 34 | $0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | Fisher | 41 | $50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | Weigher | 24 | $15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
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