by Ali Atia
July 6, 2019
Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania on Tuesday signed HB 1172, a bill that will allow the use of out-of-state occupational licenses in Pennsylvania. Wolf said the “new law will reduce barriers for new Pennsylvanians to work here and shows this is a land of opportunity.” It passed as a bipartisan effort: cosponsored by both Democrats and Republicans, it received strong support across the aisle, clearing both Republican-controlled chambers. It was then approved by Wolf, a Democrat.
Along with Montana and Arizona, Pennsylvania is among the first states in the nation to take such decisive action toward occupational licensing reform, which involves simplifying the processes required to gain a license to practice certain occupations. They are long overdue:occupational licensing has long been a barrier to gainful employment for many Americans. Per the governor’s office, one in five Pennsylvanians must acquire a license from the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs before being able to practice their occupations.
Often, acquiring these licenses is extremely time-consuming and expensive. In Pennsylvania, for instance, it costs more to gain a license to practice five occupations than it does in any other state. Yet studies on various difference jobs requiring a license have shown that those with licenses rarely provide higher quality services............To Read More....
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