Most Licensed Professions

Ranked by the number of U.S. states (out of 51 including D.C.) that require a license to practice the profession. Professions required in all states appear first.

# Profession States Requiring License
1 Amusement Ride Operator 51 / 51
2 Animal Breeder 51 / 51
3 Arborist / Tree Surgeon 51 / 51
4 Armed Security Guard 51 / 51
5 Athletic Agent 51 / 51
6 Athletic Trainer 51 / 51
7 Auctioneer 51 / 51
8 Barber 51 / 51
9 Bartender / Alcohol Server 51 / 51
10 Body Piercer 51 / 51
11 Casino/Gaming Dealer 51 / 51
12 Certified Nurse-Midwife 51 / 51
13 Certified Public Accountant (CPA) 51 / 51
14 Chauffeur / Limousine Driver 51 / 51
15 Childcare Center Director 51 / 51
16 Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) 51 / 51
17 Cosmetologist 51 / 51
18 Court Reporter / Stenographer 51 / 51
19 Debt Collector 51 / 51
20 Dental Assistant 51 / 51
21 Dental Hygienist 51 / 51
22 Dietetic Technician 51 / 51
23 Electrician 51 / 51
24 Electrologist 51 / 51
25 Elementary School Teacher 51 / 51
26 Elevator Installer 51 / 51
27 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) 51 / 51
28 Esthetician 51 / 51
29 Farrier / Horseshoer 51 / 51
30 Fire Sprinkler Installer 51 / 51
31 Food Handler / Food Safety Certification 51 / 51
32 Funeral Director / Embalmer 51 / 51
33 General Contractor 51 / 51
34 Glazier 51 / 51
35 Hair Braider 51 / 51
36 Hearing Aid Specialist 51 / 51
37 Home Health Aide 51 / 51
38 Home Inspector 51 / 51
39 HVAC Technician 51 / 51
40 Insurance Agent 51 / 51
41 Interior Designer 51 / 51
42 Land Surveyor 51 / 51
43 Landscape Architect 51 / 51
44 Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 51 / 51
45 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 51 / 51
46 Licensed Professional Counselor 51 / 51
47 Locksmith 51 / 51
48 Marriage and Family Therapist 51 / 51
49 Massage Therapist 51 / 51
50 Medical Assistant 51 / 51
51 Medical Lab Technician 51 / 51
52 Mobile Home Installer 51 / 51
53 Mortgage Loan Originator 51 / 51
54 Nail Technician 51 / 51
55 Notary Public 51 / 51
56 Occupational Therapist 51 / 51
57 Optician (Dispensing) 51 / 51
58 Optometrist 51 / 51
59 Painter (Contractor) 51 / 51
60 Paramedic 51 / 51

Out of 51 jurisdictions (50 states + Washington D.C.). A profession appearing in all 51 has a universal licensing requirement across the U.S. Source: State licensing board databases and Institute for Justice License to Work research.