Colorado ranked 36th among U.S. states that have burdensome licensing laws for lower-income jobs, according to a report by the Institute for Justice (IJ).
Colorado requires an occupational license for 34 out of 102 lower-income jobs studied in the IJ analysis, making it the 47th “most broadly and onerously licensed state.” The report says licensed workers pay an average of $344 in fees and lose an average of 260 days to education, experience, and usually at least one exam.
How do the burdens of getting an occupational license compare in Colorado?
Colorado occupational licensing requirements
Burden Rank | Occupation | States Licensed | Fees | Estimated Calendar Days Lost | Education | Experience | Exams |
1 | Preschool Teacher, Public School | 50 | $280 | 1,825 | 4 years and 1 years | 1 | |
2 | Midwife, Direct Entry | 28 | $2,100 | 1,195 | 3 years | 5 births | 1 |
3 | Athletic Trainer | 49 | $400 | 1,460 | 4 years | 1 | |
4 | Earth Driller, Water Well | 51 | $230 | 730 | 2 years | 3 | |
5 | Bill Collection Agency | 31 | $1,500 | 730 | 2 years | 0 | |
6 | Pest Control Applicator | 51 | $513 | 728 | 24 months | 2 | |
7 | Cosmetologist | 51 | $177 | 420 | 1800 clock hours | 2 | |
8 | Barber | 51 | $155 | 350 | 1500 clock hours | 2 | |
9 | Psychiatric Technician | 5 | $65 | 224 | 32 credit hours | 1 | |
10 | Shampooer | 37 | $155 | 280 | 1200 clock hours | 2 | |
11 | Mobile Home Installer | 39 | $100 | 183 | 8 clock hours | 6 months | 1 |
12 | Makeup Artist | 41 | $177 | 140 | 600 clock hours | 2 | |
12 | Manicurist | 50 | $177 | 140 | 600 clock hours | 2 | |
12 | Skin Care Specialist | 50 | $177 | 140 | 600 clock hours | 2 | |
15 | Vegetation Pesticide Applicator | 51 | $576 | 121 | 4 months | 4 | |
16 | Massage Therapist | 44 | $315 | 117 | 500 clock hours | 1 | |
17 | School Bus Driver | 51 | $132 | 0 | 6 | ||
18 | Bus Driver, City/Transit | 51 | $257 | 0 | 5 | ||
18 | Truck Driver, Tractor-Trailer | 51 | $257 | 0 | 5 | ||
20 | Truck Driver, Other | 51 | $257 | 0 | 4 | ||
21 | Gaming Supervisor | 30 | $1,275 | 0 | 0 | ||
21 | Slot Supervisor | 28 | $1,275 | 0 | 0 | ||
23 | Emergency Medical Technician | 51 | $98 | 35 | 150 clock hours | 2 | |
24 | Child Care Home,
Family | 44 | $43 | 3 | 16 clock hours | 1 | |
25 | Travel Guide | 37 | $100 | 12 | 50 clock hours | 0 | |
26 | Gaming Cage Worker | 29 | $115 | 0 | 0 | ||
26 | Gaming Dealer | 28 | $115 | 0 | 0 | ||
28 | Coach, Head (High School Sports) | 48 * | $75 | 1 | 4.5 clock hours | 1 | |
29 | Milk Sampler | 42 | $50 | 0 | 1 | ||
30 | Weigher | 25 | $25 | 0 | 1 | ||
31 | Animal Breeder | 28 | $306 | 0 | 0 | ||
32 | Landscape Contractor (Commercial) | 47 | $90 | 0 | 0 | ||
32 | Landscape Contractor (Residential) | 48 | $90 | 0 | 0 | ||
34 | Fisher, Commercial | 43 | $40 | 0 | 0 |