License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing
Ohio
Highlights
31 out of 102 moderate-income occupations licensed16th 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.
(Last updated May 2, 2012)
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 | Skin Care Specialist | 50 | $51 | 140 | 2 | 10 | 16 |
| 14 | Makeup Artist | 36 | $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 Dealer | 24 | $250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| 20 | Gaming Supervisor | 23 | $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 | Weigher | 24 | $10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 30 | Animal Breeder | 26 | $10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
(Last updated April 24, 2012)
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