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

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Pennsylvania

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.

(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	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	Makeup Artist	36	$159	70	2	10	16
6	Skin Care Specialist	50	$159	70	2	10	16
8	Massage Therapist	39	$300	117	3	0	18
9	Gaming Supervisor	23	$2,500	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	Slot Key Person	21	$350	0	0	0	18
19	Travel Agent	8	$350	0	0	0	18
19	Gaming Cage Worker	22	$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	Glazier Contractor (Residential)	9	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Carpenter/Cabinet Maker (Residential)	10	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Sheet Metal Contractor (Residential)	7	$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	Insulation Contractor (Residential)	10	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Cement Finishing Contractor (Residential)	9	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Mason Contractor (Residential)	10	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Floor Sander Contractor (Residential)	9	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Iron/Steel Contractor (Residential)	11	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Terrazzo Contractor (Residential)	8	$50	0	0	0	0
31	Door Repair Contractor	35	$50	0	0	0	0
44	Animal Trainer	20	$45	0	0	0	0

(Last updated April 24, 2012)

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