‘We need to get Georgians on the job’ Lawmakers want to change the occupational license process

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Atlanta News First has reported on debilitating delays keeping Georgians from getting the occupational licenses they need to work.

According to Workforce ATL, one in seven Georgia jobs requires a license. One in four of those jobs are high-demand jobs like contractors plumbers, social workers, and nurses.

The Institute for Justice found the average Georgian spends an average of 472 days trying to get the necessary experience and a license. The national average is 350 days, roughly 4 months longer.

On Tuesday, Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns addressed a crowd of Georgia businesspeople at the annual Eggs and Issues event. He said the state needs to streamline the licensing process.

“The number one issue our Members receive calls about is occupational licensing. Our joint Blue Ribbon Study Committee on licensing issues has been hearing input from constituents and stakeholders from nearly every regulated industry in our state. The consensus is clear. We need to get Georgians on the job. That’s why the House will take action to streamline this process and remove unnecessary barriers for Georgians to get to work,” said Burns.

Georgia resident Eric Ford was told to wait 20 days for his barber license, but instead waited months.

“Out of all of the places I’ve ever been, this is the hardest place to open a business. In my 22 years in business,” said Ford.

The secretary of state’s office manages the state’s licensing boards that review and process applicants.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger called on lawmakers to enact broad-sweeping licensure reform.

He suggests limits to the board’s processing time, the power to step in if it’s taking too long, removing some license requirements altogether, and extending renewal requirements.

“Elon Musk just wrote an article in the Wall Street Journal. He says licensing over-regulation is causing barriers to entrepreneurship and innovation. We want to make sure we can reduce those barriers. I think that’s what America wants to see,” said Raffensperger.

Raffenserpger suggests taking a hard look at what licenses should stay. He wants lawmakers to discuss separating high and low-risk professions based on the services they provide.