Occupational Licensing in Louisiana
A business license is government permission to work in a field. Licenses create barriers, making work harder.
The state website lists licensed professions. Clicking an item shows license requirements. Licenses range from high burden to low. Preschool Teacher license requires fees, exams, experience, education. Animal Breeder license requires just fees. Midwife license costs most.
Licensing Regulations in Different Professions
Licenses reasonably regulate some occupations, like anesthesiologist. But they poorly regulate others, like hair braiders. Louisiana uniquely licenses florists. Reforms recognize this issue.
License Requirements in Specific Trades
You need a license for most trades, professions, vocations in Jefferson Parish. The tax starts at $50 per location. Nearly one in five Louisiana workers needs a license to work legally. But many licenses are too strict and do not improve quality or safety.
If doing tree work, hire licensed arborists. They have training and insurance. Landscapers need a state license too. Requirements include plant installation and fertilizing.
Explanation of Occupational Licensing
What is the meaning of occupational licensing?
Each person pursuing business within Jefferson Parish must file and pay the occupational license tax, based upon classification and gross receipts or commissions. The tax has a $50 minimum per location. In Louisiana, nearly one in five workers must now get an occupational license before legally working. But many licenses are too strict, and do not even improve quality or protect from harm.
Licensing Laws and Requirements in Louisiana
Of 77 licensed occupations, Preschool Teacher, Public School has highest burden – $486 fees, 3 exams, 3 years experience, 4 years education. Of 77, Animal Breeder has lowest – $23 fees, no exams or education. Midwife, Direct Entry license costs most.
The state website lists licensed professions and occupations. Clicking an item provides details on licensing requirements. Some examples:
New Orleans – Businesses get Occupational or General License. New Orleans starts at $50. Baton Rouge – Submit Business Registration Application. Shreveport – Occupational/Business License from Revenue Division. Between 1950-2008, required licenses grew 5 to 29 percent. Louisiana requires barbers get 1,500 hours training.
In the 1950s, 5 percent of workers needed a license. Today it is 25 percent. Reasonable for anesthesiologist, but bad when burdensome and needless for middle and working class. Institute for Justice report surveys 102 lower-income occupations.
Licenses are essentially taxes with virtually no exemptions, except a minimum and maximum per individual or firm. Licenses are government permission to work in a field. Institute for Justice’s License to Work report says licenses impose high barriers, making work and business harder. Louisiana only state florists need a license. Legislators recognize the need for reform. A proposal by Rep. Julie Emerson would review regulations.