According to a recent four-year joint study conducted by the National Conference of State Legislatures, the National Governors Association, and the Council of State Governments, occupational licensing has grown exponentially over the last 60 years, comprising nearly 25 percent of the U.S. workforce, up from 5 percent nearly 60 years ago.
While supporters say proper licensing regulations ensure consumers are able to obtain safe, high-quality professional services, critics contend that this growth has also led to unfair barriers to employment and lower wages for excluded workers.