Keystone Today

A majority of military families surveyed by a state department after moving to Pennsylvania said the high cost of occupational licensing is unnecessary and created a financial burden on their families. 

Earlier this year, the Pennsylvania Department of State conducted a survey of veterans and military spouses and found that “translating military credentials and work experience to satisfy state occupational license requirements poses a significant barrier to veterans,” as reported by the Reason Foundation.

"This yearlong survey gives us valuable information about how Pennsylvania compares to other states and ways we can reduce the barriers veterans and military spouses face when they move here and seek occupational and professional licensure," Veronica Degraffenreid, acting secretary of state, said in a official Pennsylvania news release.

Survey respondents reported that in returning to civilian life or relocation to Pennsylvania, they spent between $200 and $500 in fees for initial licensing expenses in their field of employment. More than 200 veterans and their spouses responded to the survey, with nursing, real estate and social work being the most commonly held licenses. Survey respondents identified "acceptance of military training, education and experience" and license fee waivers as the most beneficial potential changes for veterans and military spouses applying for occupational licenses.

"We owe it to our veterans and military families to make it easy for them to move into Pennsylvania and continue their careers," Degraffenreid said.

Of the respondents who hold licenses in other states, 29% said it was more difficult for them to conduct business in Pennsylvania, while 23% said it was easier.

"Easing licensure barriers will create more employment opportunities for them while simultaneously increasing the number of qualified professionals practicing in Pennsylvania," Degraffenreid said. 

In response to the survey, the Pennsylvania Department of State is coordinating with the commonwealth's 29 occupational licensing boards to develop a “military occupational crosswalk” to serve as a tool to convert military duties, skills, training and certifications to fulfill Pennsylvania's occupational licensing requirements.

The Council of State Governments published a report in 2020 finding that over the last 60 years, the number of jobs requiring an occupational license, or government approval to practice a profession, has grown from 1 in 20 to nearly 1 in 4.

A Reason Foundation study found that stricter licensing requirements led to fewer employment opportunities and higher prices in licensed industries, decreasing the rate of job growth by 20%, with a total cost between $34.8 billion and $41.7 billion per year.