Source: oklahoman.com 5/22/22 Amid growing labor shortages, once overlooked barriers to entry are finally getting their due. Today, one of the biggest obstacles to economic opportunity in Oklahoma is occupational licensing, which affects almost one-fifth of the state’s workforce. Worse, many licenses come with hefty requirements. On average, a license for lower- and middle-income occupations forces Oklahomans to complete nearly 400 days of training and experience, pay $234 in fees, and pass two exams. Licensing laws are particularly daunting for people with criminal records, who face a dramatically higher unemployment rate. And without a steady…
Read MoreEliminating licensing barriers–except for registrants–opens new pathways to economic opportunities
