What Jobs Require a Professional License?
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Whether you dream of teaching students, flying an airplane, or installing drains in a commercial building, you need a license to work. Unlike a certification, which you receive from a professional association that verifies your skills, a license typically comes from a state government agency. It gives you the legal right to work in your field.
Professional licenses give you access to specialized careers, many of which are growing fast and pay better than the national average. Explore our guide below to learn more about jobs that require a license, how much they pay, and how to get started in your field of interest.
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Jobs That Require a License
Today, many jobs in healthcare, social services, education, and protective services require state licensure. You’ll also need a license for certain trades and vocations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), over 21% of workers in 2023 held a license to practice in their field.
For nearly all of these jobs, state agencies process licensure applications, review qualifications, and issue licenses.
In most cases, you’ll need a degree from an accredited school and program to receive a professional license. Some licenses may require you to have a higher degree, such as a master’s. State licensure requirements vary, so it’s important that you research the licensing process and degree requirements for your state before applying to any programs.
Below are the most common industries today that require a professional or occupational license.
Did You Know…
- Today, 1 in 4 jobs require a professional license, up from just 1 in 20 in the 1960s, according to the National Occupational Licensing Database.
- Per the BLS, healthcare jobs are the most likely to require a professional license, followed by careers in the legal and education fields.
- Government-issued licensure raises hourly wages by an average of 7.5%, according to the BLS.
Business
Many business careers benefit from professional certification, but only a few require it. You need a professional license to become a certified public accountant (CPA), one of the most popular business career paths.
To qualify for an accounting license, you must complete 150 postsecondary credits and pass the CPA exam. The National Association of State Boards of Accountancy provides more info on how to get a CPA license.
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Healthcare
Many healthcare careers require a state-issued license. You must meet licensure requirements to start your career in allied health, medicine, nursing, or dentistry. You also must typically graduate from an accredited healthcare program.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist | Must have an associate degree from an accredited dental hygienist program and pass written and clinical exams | All states — contact your state dental board for details | CODA |
| Dentist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited dental program and pass written and clinical exams | All states — contact your state dental board for details | CODA |
| Dietitian or Nutritionist | Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited nutrition program, complete supervised practice, and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state nutrition board for details | ACEND |
| Doctor or Surgeon | Must have a doctorate from an accredited medical school, complete residency, and pass exams | All states — contact your state medical board for details | LCME |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) / Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) | Must have a certificate or diploma from an accredited practical nursing program and pass the NCLEX-PN exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN |
| Registered Nurse (RN) | Must have an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited RN program and pass the NCLEX-RN exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN and CCNE |
| Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) | Must have an RN license and master’s degree from an accredited APRN program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state nursing board for details | ACEN and CCNE |
| Emergency Medical Technician | Must have basic or intermediate certification; most states require certification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians | All states — contact your state EMS board for details | CAAHEP |
| Occupational Therapist | Must have a master’s degree from an accredited occupational therapy program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state occupational therapy board for details | ACOTE |
| Pharmacist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited pharmacy program and pass two exams | All states — contact your state pharmacy board for details | ACPE |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | Must have an associate degree from an accredited physical therapist assistant program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state physical therapy board for details | CAPTE |
| Physical Therapist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited physical therapy program and pass a national exam | All states — contact your state physical therapy board for details | CAPTE |
| Radiologic Technologist | Must have an associate degree from an accredited radiologic technology program and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state radiologic technology board for details | JRCERT |
| Veterinary Technologist or Technician | Must have an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited vet tech program and pass an exam | Most states — contact your state veterinary board for details | AVMA |
| Veterinarian | Must have a doctorate from an accredited veterinary school and pass a national exam (and sometimes state exam) | All states — contact your state veterinary board for details | AVMA |
Education
Most principals and teachers need a license to qualify for public school jobs — and over 80% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. work at public schools.
- K-12 Teachers: Teachers at the elementary and secondary level need a state-issued license to work in public schools. After earning a bachelor’s degree from an accredited teaching program, you must pass exams and apply for a teaching license or certification from your state.
- Principals and School Administrators: In most states, public school K-12 principals and some other school administrators need a license. Typically, principals need a master’s in education. Check with your state department of education for more info on licensing requirements.
While many education careers in public schools require a professional license, private school teachers and administrators generally do not need a license.
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Psychology and Social Services
Careers in community and social services, including roles like counselor, therapist, psychologist, and social worker, generally require a professional license.
Since some career paths do not require licensure, it’s important to understand the requirements for each career and state. Learn more about psychology accreditation before you apply to psychology programs.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Social Worker | Must have a master’s degree from an accredited social work program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass a clinical exam | All states — contact your state social work board for details | CSWE |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | Must have a master’s degree from an accredited therapy program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state therapy board for details | CACREP, AAMFT, and MPCAC |
| Mental Health Counselor | Must have a master’s degree from an accredited counseling program, complete supervised clinical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state counseling board for details | CACREP and MPCAC |
| Psychologist | Must have a doctorate from an accredited psychology program, complete supervised professional experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state psychology board for details | APA and MPCAC |
Architecture and Engineering
Professional licenses ensure that architects and engineers understand key safety requirements and regulations. As a result, architects and many types of engineers need a license to practice.
Some engineering careers don’t require a professional license, though. For example, computer engineers and many chemical engineers do not need a license to work.
| Job | Licensure Requirements | States Requiring Licensure | Programmatic Accreditor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architect | Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited architecture program, complete a paid internship, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state architecture board for details | NAAB |
| Professional Engineer | Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited engineering program, have ample work experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state engineering board for details | ABET |
| Landscape Architect | Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited landscape architecture program, complete supervised practical experience, and pass an exam | All states — contact your state landscape architecture board for details | LAAB |
Legal Services
All practicing attorneys must have a professional license. To practice law, you must pass the bar exam and be admitted to your state’s bar.
Most aspiring lawyers must also attend a law school accredited by the American Bar Association. The National Conference of Bar Examiners provides resources on states’ licensure requirements.
Not every state requires court reporters to be licensed, but some do. The National Court Reporters Association offers certification that many states accept for licensure. Court reporters also usually need a certificate or associate degree in court reporting or a related field.
Many other legal careers, including paralegals and legal assistants, do not require a professional license. Even so, professional certification can help paralegals qualify for jobs.
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Protective Services
Protective services is a broad field that includes all professions that guard people, animals, or materials from harm, theft, or threats.
Many protective services jobs are in state or local government. However, you can also work as a private investigator or other non-governmental professional.
Due to the sensitive nature of the work required, many protective services jobs, public or private, require licensure.
- Law Enforcement Officer: Each state or municipality sets its licensure requirements for law enforcement officers. In general, however, law enforcement officers should be at least 21, hold a high school diploma, and complete their state’s police training academy, which often takes about 12 weeks.
- Firefighter: To become a licensed firefighter, you typically need to meet your state’s age requirements, have a driver’s license, pass a background check, and complete a 26-week training program. You may also need to hold emergency medical technician certification.
- Private Investigator: Regulations for private investigator licensure vary significantly from state to state. Some states require no licensure, while others expect you to pass an exam, provide proof of insurance, and present a statement of your experience and qualifications to the board. Even in states that do not require a license, private investigators may still need to receive licensure from their municipalities.
- Bounty Hunter (Bail Bond Agent): Some states, such as Maine and Massachusetts, do not permit bounty hunting. In other states, the practice is widespread and common. Most states that allow bounty hunting require a license. In South Carolina, for example, you must have a clean criminal background check and pass the professional bondsman/runner exam to be licensed.
- Security Guard: The requirements to be licensed as a security guard vary dramatically between states. Some states license security guards according to class or level, with advanced classes able to handle weapons, perform threat assessments, and secure high-value assets.
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Trades and Vocations
Many trades and vocational careers require you to have a professional license. For example, electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians often need a license in order to practice.
Before applying to trade school, make sure to check the licensure requirements for your field and state. In addition, confirm that your trade school is accredited.
Here are some popular trades that require a professional license:
- Aviation Jobs: While most professional licenses are issued by state boards, aviation careers require a federal license. The Federal Aviation Administration licenses pilots, mechanics, and air traffic controllers.
- Barbers and Cosmetologists: In all states, barbers, hair stylists, and cosmetologists need a professional license. Typically, you must attend a state-approved program and pass a licensing exam. The National Interstate Council of State Boards of Cosmetology provides more information on state licensure requirements.
- Funeral Service Workers: Most states require professional licensure for funeral service workers, including morticians and funeral directors. The process typically requires you to earn a degree from a program accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Check the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards for more info on state licensure.
- Massage Therapists: Many states require massage therapists to be licensed, which entails completing an approved program and passing an exam. The American Massage Therapy Association provides more info on state regulations.
- Interior Designers: No state demands that general interior designers be licensed. However, some states require licensure for interior designers working independently in a commercial space such as a shopping mall or medical facility. Other states require licensure for a protected title, such as “registered interior designer.”
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Programmatic Accreditation and State Licensure
State licensure ensures that professionals have the required knowledge and skills to practice in their field.
That said, state licensing boards can’t evaluate the quality of every degree-granting program in the country. As a result, licensing boards often rely on programmatic accreditation to assess quality.
Here’s how it works: Independent accrediting agencies review programs in fields that require state licensure. For example, social workers must graduate from a program accredited by the Council on Social Work Education to receive a social work license.
If you attend an unaccredited program, you might not qualify for a license — which means you can’t work in your field.
There are some exceptions, though. In nursing, for example, states may approve nursing schools that do not hold programmatic accreditation. Lawyers can sit for the bar exam without attending an ABA-accredited law school in some states as well.
Because many career paths need a professional license and the requirements vary by field and state, it’s critical that you research state licensure before applying to any programs.
Remember, you want to start your career on the right path by choosing an accredited program that meets your state’s licensure requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jobs That Require a License
A professional license is a certificate, license, or registration needed to conduct a certain business in your state. Many professionals must hold a license to practice. For example, public school teachers, lawyers, plumbers, counselors, barbers, and public accountants all have to be licensed. Each state sets its own licensing requirements for each profession.
