Breaking Down Barriers to Work with Universal Recognition of occupational licenses across state boundaries

Great idea that was long overdue to be implemented in the U.S.!

As a classical liberal I would even ask do we need all these government recognized or even required occupational licenses? Free markets can deal with the issue of professional qualification and competence without direct government interference!

"Fast Facts:

1. As of January 2023, the following states have enacted broad universal recognition:
   Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Wyoming.
2. Other states, like New Jersey, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, have passed a lighter version of the reform with an eye toward broader recognition in the future.
3. Arkansas, Indiana, and Louisiana have enacted reforms to extend universal recognition to military spouses.
4. Over 6,000 licenses have been granted in Arizona since universal recognition went into effect in late 2019, in professions ranging from medicine to engineering to cosmetology.
5. Fewer than 30 occupations are licensed in all 50 states. The recognition of work experience and private certification ensures all skilled professionals have a pathway to licensure free of duplicative training or testing requirements, regardless of whether their former state licensed the occupation.
6. Universal recognition does not delicense any profession.

What is universal recognition?

Universal recognition is a pro-growth policy which recognizes out-of-state occupational licenses based on the training or testing requirements a licensed applicant has already completed. It does not delicense any profession; rather, it eliminates costly, time-intensive, and often unnecessary barriers to work. ..."

Breaking Down Barriers to Work with Universal Recognition