occupational licensing | The Ohio Star

Ohio Enacts Universal Occupational License Recognition

January 4, 2023January 3, 2023 Bradley Vasoli

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) on Sunday signed legislation allowing Ohioans who acquired occupational licenses in other states to utilize their credentials in the Buckeye State.

Eighteen states, including neighboring Pennsylvania, already recognize occupational licenses that their residents received elsewhere. For years, a coalition of free-market organizations, including the Columbus-based Buckeye Institute, have urged Ohio lawmakers to adopt the same policy to ease burdens on workers and make the state more economically competitive.

Report: Ohio Ranks in America’s Bottom 20 States for Economic Freedom

December 30, 2022December 29, 2022 Bradley Vasoli

A new report from several free-market think tanks ranks Ohio 35th out of the 50 states in terms of economic freedom.

The Columbus-based Buckeye Institute issued the Economic Freedom of North America 2022 report in collaboration with the Canadian Fraser Institute, the Puerto Rican Instituto de Libertad Económica and the Mexican Caminos de la Libertad. The study factors in government spending levels, taxation and labor-market flexibility when ranking all states and provinces across the continent.

Jobs Report: Ohio Lags Behind Nation

December 19, 2022December 18, 2022 Bradley Vasoli

Ohio continues to lag behind the rest of the United States in terms of employment according to a report released Friday by the state Department of Job and Family Services.

The data showed unemployment in the Buckeye State remained at 4.2 percent in November, the same as the prior month’s level and a half a point behind the nationwide 3.7-percent rate.

Ohio Legislative Committee Approves Universal License Recognition Bill

December 14, 2022December 13, 2022 Bradley Vasoli

Advocates for occupational licensing reform successfully urged an Ohio House panel on Tuesday to unanimously pass a Senate bill to recognize professional certifications awarded by other states.

Eighteen states, varied in their politics and geography, already recognize out-of-state licenses for most professions, including neighboring Pennsylvania. These universal-recognition laws all require the licensee to have current permission to work in his or her state and have no pending professional disciplinary matters or disqualifying criminal records. Licensees remain subject to any fees or testing required by their adopted states.

Coalition Backs Universal License Recognition in Ohio

December 7, 2022December 6, 2022 Bradley Vasoli

A coalition of free-market associations sent an open letter on Tuesday to Ohio’s state lawmakers encouraging them to enact universal occupational license recognition, meaning the Buckeye State would honor professional certifications issued in other states.

Message signers included leaders of Americans for Prosperity-Ohio, the Buckeye Institute, the Goldwater Institute, the National Taxpayers Union and Americans for Tax Reform. The organizations observed that the state’s population is declining and that it will continue to do so if pro-market reforms aren’t made to attract new workers, including universal license recognition. Numerous states, including Arizona and North Carolina, generally accept credentials obtained elsewhere by people moving into those states.

Pending Ohio Legislature, Deregulation of Occupational Licenses Could Stimulate State’s Economy

December 9, 2019December 8, 2019 Jason M. Reynolds

As the Ohio Legislature studies ongoing reforms to occupational licensing, some say the move could give the state’s economy a much-needed boost while also reducing recidivism.

Ohio Begins First Review of Occupational Licenses

September 14, 2019September 14, 2019 Maggie Leigh Thurber

Ohio requires a Super-Tough Person Competition License and a Commercial Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operator License. But occupational licenses like these could be on the chopping block now that the Ohio General Assembly is beginning its first mandated review of all the requirements.

Ohio Lawmakers Urged to Eliminate ‘Redundant’ and Costly Motor Vehicle Repair Board

May 17, 2019May 16, 2019 Maggie Leigh Thurber

Since The Buckeye Institute first started publishing its Piglet Book in 2005, it’s recommended eliminating Ohio’s Motor Vehicle Repair Board. The Buckeye Institute, an independent think tank whose mission is to advance free-market public policy, issues a regular Piglet Book that analyzes “Ohio’s proposed biennial budget and offers savings for…

Ohio Governor Kasich Signs Occupational Licensing Reform Bill, Increasing Market Competition

January 8, 2019January 8, 2019 Andrew Shirley

Governor John Kasich signed Senate Bill 255 (SB 255) Friday, reforming Ohio’s occupational licensing laws, some of which are considered to be the most economically crippling in the country. The law will require Ohio’s state legislature to examine every occupational licensing board in the state, assess their value and utility, then…

Ohio Bill Would ‘Emancipate’ Workers by Ending ‘State’s Occupational Licensing Regime’

November 28, 2018November 28, 2018 Anthony Gockowski

Ohio may soon see major reforms to its occupational licensing laws that some believe “make it harder and more expensive to find work” in the state. Senate Bill 255, sponsored by State Sen. Rob McColley (R-Napoleon), cleared the Ohio Senate in July and has now been referred to committee in…