Wolf Administration receives $422,000 federal grant to streamline occupational licensing rules

Gov. Tom Wolf announced Tuesday that his administration received a three-year grant totaling $422,000 from the U.S. Department of Labor to simplify excessive occupational licensing requirements and explore alternative approaches, such as professional certification.

“This welcome funding comes on the heels of my licensing reform plan that fits the grant purpose perfectly,” Wolf said. “My administration is committed to easing overly burdensome licensing requirements for skilled workers and making professional and occupational licenses more portable, especially for military spouses.”

Wolf recently proposed reforms to various job licensing boards and licensing requirements that would eliminate 13 job licenses, including those for auctioneers, barbers, and cemetery brokers. The reforms would also simplify requirements for relocating military spouses transferring licenses to Pennsylvania, reduce licensing board continuing education requirements to levels established in state law, and repeal the automatic 10-year ban on licensing for those convicted of a drug felony.

“We will use this grant to explore transitioning from occupational licenses to certifications or registrations where possible, to adopt less burdensome criminal history policies for licensees and to find legislative and policy solutions to workplace barriers for veterans and military spouses,” Acting Secretary of State Robert Torres said.

Pennsylvania was one of nine states and two state-government associations to receive State Occupational Licensing Review and Reform grants.