Occupational Licensing

S. David Young argues that occupational licensing results in the misallocation of labor and harms consumers.

"Attempts to present a systematic discussion of the major benefits and costs of occupational licensing to the economies of the United States and several European countries." - page xiii.

In this book, the author examines why the institution of occupational licensing has had such a curious evolution and influence in the United States, the European Union, and China, and discusses the many similarities it has to guilds.

Monograph investigating licensing practices and policies in the USA with respect to occupational qualification - covers paramedical personnel, construction workers, transport workers and service sector occupations, and includes recommendations for improving the institutional framework and the effectiveness of licensing examination and tests. Bibliography pp. 250 to 252.

A career tool for job-seekers, career changers, licensing officials and for people who are relocating. It includes national and state information on the licenses and licensing procedures required for more than 500 occupations (and more than 1000 specific job titles) in the US. The book covers professional and vocational careers and is arranged by and cross-referenced by occupational title.

Monograph on licensing practice and examination of occupational qualification for the entry of unskilled workers into nonprofessional occupations in the USA - covers legal aspects and administrative aspects of state licensing boards, and includes aptitude testing, admission requirements, labour shortages, labour mobility, etc.

Over the past several decades, the share of U.S. workers holding an occupational license has grown sharply. When designed and implemented carefully, licensing can offer important health and safety protections to consumers, as well as benefits to workers. However, the current licensing regime in the United States also creates substantial costs, and often the requirements for obtaining a license are not in sync with the skills needed for the job. There is evidence that licensing requirements raise the price of goods and services, restrict employment opportunities, and make it more difficult for workers to take their skills across State lines. Too often, policymakers do not carefully weigh these costs and benefits when making decisions about whether or how to regulate a profession through licensing. In some cases, alternative forms of occupational regulation, such as State certification, may offer a better balance between consumer protections and flexibility for workers. This book outlines the growth of licensing over the past several decades, its costs and benefits, and its impacts on workers and work arrangements. The book recommends several best practices to ensure that licensing protects consumers without placing unnecessary restrictions on employment, innovation, or access to important goods and services.