The 2026 State Occupational Licensing Index ranks Oregon as the state with the highest occupational licensing burden and Missouri as the state with the lowest. The index compares all 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on the number of licensed occupations and legal barriers to entering those professions.
See how your state ranks in the new State Occupational Licensing Index. The fourth edition presents occupational licensing by state, with an updated ranking of all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. We interview Edward Timmons, co-author of the 2026 State Occupational Licensing Index. He highlights the report’s key takeaways, explains the factors shaping state rankings, and shares insights on occupational licensing reform trends across the country.
The 2026 State Occupational Licensing Index measures licensing burdens across occupations and ranks all 50 U.S. states and D.C. In the report, for example, Oregon ranks first with the highest occupational licensing burden, while Missouri ranks last with the lowest licensing burden. An interactive map enables users to click on a state to reveal the states ranking, along with key findings, including uniquely licensed occupations and universal recognition reform status.
“More than 20 percent of working Americans are directly impacted by occupational licensing, so people need to understand the burden of licensure around the country. State by state, we must alleviate this burden, making it easier for people to work and support their families. This is not a left-versus-right issue; there is a bipartisan mandate for occupational licensing reform,” explains Timmons. “In blue America and red America, we see successes, failures, and opportunities to reduce barriers to work. The 2026 State Occupational Licensing Index is a powerful tool in the policymaking toolbox—from Washington, D.C. to the West Coast and everywhere in between.”
Edward Timmons, Ph.D., serves as Vice President of Policy at the Archbridge Institute.
Image courtesy of the Archbridge Institute
Ed Timmons: States vary significantly in how difficult they make it for aspiring workers to begin working. Oregon licenses 180 occupations, but Missouri licenses only 123. 28 occupations are licensed in 5 states or fewer.
Ed Timmons: We produce two scores. The licensing score totals the number of occupations a state licenses. The barriers score measures the same thing but considers broader licenses that may cover the occupation. For example, hair braiding may fall under the jurisdiction of a cosmetology license, even if a separate hair braiding license isn’t issued.
Ed Timmons: We streamlined the list of occupations and added seven new ones.
Ed Timmons: Unfortunately, occupational licensing continues to expand where it isn’t needed. Mississippi and Nevada added new licensing requirements for genetic counselors. Mississippi also added new licensing for music therapists. Iowa added a new license for home inspectors. Licensing is not the right regulatory tool for these professions. On the bright side, five states eliminated hair braider licensing.
Ed Timmons: New York is the only state that licenses drama therapists. Rhode Island and Oregon license lactation consultants. The District of Columbia, Louisiana, and Nevada license interior designers.
Ed Timmons: I assist the team with identifying new licensing legislation as well as reviewing our existing classifications for accuracy. I also take the lead in tracking universal recognition in the US.
Ed Timmons: Ohio and Mississippi were the biggest movers. Ohio moved down five spots (less burdensome licensing) by eliminating two licenses. Mississippi moved up four spots (more burdensome licensing) because it added two new licenses.
Ed Timmons: Universal recognition stalled this year. This was the first year we tracked that no new states adopted the reform. This is puzzling because universal recognition provides significant benefits to state citizens and presents no risk to public safety.
Ed Timmons: It can make a big difference in the number of skilled workers. Florida added more than 8,800 health professionals in the first year after enactment. Kansas added more than 26,000 new workers in the first year after enactment.
Ed Timmons: It is a commonsense reform. The reform acknowledges and accepts credentials from other states that are in good standing. It doesn’t make sense to require qualified workers to meet unnecessary requirements to work when they already have a valid credential, or years of practicing experience.
Ed Timmons: I was surprised to see Mississippi take a step backwards. They have a good review process in place. They should consider tightening the review process for new licensing laws so that unnecessary licensing laws aren’t added.
Ed Timmons: I hope more states consider universal recognition. I would also like to see more states follow Ohio’s lead in regularly reviewing licensing laws and eliminating unnecessary licenses. Utah has also made strides in reducing them, but has had less success eliminating licensing requirements where they are not needed.
Renee Moseley joined GL Solutions in 2016 with an educational and professional background in research and writing, along with software documentation. At GL Solutions she produces informative content to help regulatory agencies stay current on news and information that supports their success.
