License requirements by occupation
Pick an occupation to compare its license requirements across states, or go straight to one state's rules.
Occupations
| Occupation | Field | States covered | Credentials | No state license in | Transfer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetologist | Beauty | 50 | 129 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| Notary public | Legal and public | 50 | 101 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| Registered nurse (RN) | Nursing | 50 | 93 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| Insurance agent | Insurance and finance | 49 | 147 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| Plumber | Construction trades | 48 | 217 | Kansas, Missouri, New York and Pennsylvania | Reciprocity by state |
| Certified nursing assistant (CNA) | Nursing | 46 | 98 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| Electrician | Construction trades | 45 | 296 | Indiana, Kansas and Pennsylvania | Reciprocity by state |
| Security guard | Security | 43 | 141 | Colorado, Kansas and Wyoming | Reciprocity by state |
| Massage therapist | Health | 41 | 83 | California, Kansas and Minnesota | Reciprocity by state |
| Real estate agent | Real estate | 41 | 112 | – | Reciprocity by state |
| General contractor | Construction trades | 34 | 122 | Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas | Reciprocity by state |
| Teacher | Education | 2 | 16 | – | – |
"States covered" counts the states and DC whose pages have passed both checks. "Credentials" counts every state credential those pages cover, from apprentice and trainee levels to contractor and business licenses; a state that licenses an occupation only through cities or counties adds none and is named in the next column.
Where a state issues several levels, its page leads with the license most people in that job need first, such as the journeyman level for trades or the salesperson license for real estate, and lists the other levels after it with their own requirements and fees. The occupation pages compare that leading license across states.
Each occupation page compares every state we cover and links to a page per state with every credential level, the full list of fees, how to apply, renewal and continuing education, and how to transfer a license from another state.
More occupations are on the way
We add an occupation in a state only after a second, independent check has confirmed every requirement against the board's own pages. Licenses for certified public accountant are being checked now and will appear here state by state, as will the remaining states for the occupations above.