Granite Staters entering the job market often face several government-imposed barriers to entry: onerous fees, arduous training requirements, and a lack of reciprocity for individuals already licensed by another state in their field of practice.
A 2022 study(1) ranked New Hampshire as having the 19th most burdensome regulations on occupations licensed by the government and on average workers lost 326 working days to education requirements – holding these aspiring workers back for more than a year. On top of that, workers had to pay up to $1,430 in government fees to enter their field of work.
The path forward is clear: remove unnecessary barriers to employment standing in the way of Granite Staters realizing their full potential and achieving the American Dream.
Governor Chris Sununu has included such a proposal in his biennial budget.
Among other things Gov. Sununu’s proposal(2):
• Eliminates 34 outdated licenses,
• Eliminates 14 underutilized regulatory boards and almost 700 unnecessary statutory provisions, and
• Establishes universal license recognition for the professions in New Hampshire that require a license. If you have a substantially similar license and are in good standing in another jurisdiction, New Hampshire will issue you a license.
Licensing reform is critical to help individuals find meaningful careers and the opportunity to climb the ladder of economic mobility. Furthermore, removing government’s direct role in licensure requirements liberates occupations from being managed by rigid guidelines that become dated and undermine industry innovation.
Sign the letter today and urge lawmakers to support these crucial occupational licensure reforms!
(1) https://ij.org/report/license-to-work-3/ltw-state-profile/new%20hampshire/
(2) https://www.oplc.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt441/files/2023-02/oplc-press-release-governors-proposed-licensure-regulatory-reform-20230222.pdf