Visit this page frequently for resources and materials related to responsible professional licensing, including the latest industry news stories, reports, and videos, as well as press releases from the Alliance about our continuing activities.
A recent national survey was conducted to understand public opinion on AI emergence in high-impact fields, voters’ level of trust in AI for critical decision-making, and voters’ beliefs about who should be involved in developing frameworks for AI governance and regulation. Click here to download an executive summary of the research findings.
Professional licensing boards keep the public safe. Composed of volunteer experts, they set standards, ensure continuing education, enforce ethics, and take disciplinary actions. Over 2/3 of voters trust these boards. However, some proposals aim to weaken boards by consolidating them, altering their composition, or limiting their effectiveness. These measures have imagined benefits but real consequences. […]
Nationwide workforce shortages are hitting all corners of our society, from retail to education to government administration. In response, some occupations are relaxing hiring criteria and eliminating degree requirements to help fill vacant jobs. But this approach doesn’t work for highly technical professions that require rigorous qualifications to ensure public safety. Rigorous licensing standards are […]
Veronica Meadows joins GL Solutions’ Talkin’ SaaS podcast to discuss the importance of professional licensing standards. Amidst workforce development pressures, Veronica makes the case for upholding rigorous professional qualifications that are necessary to protect the public.
Amidst organizations grappling with workforce development challenges and considering the reduction of education and training requirements, ARPL Executive Director Marta Zaniewski explains the importance of upholding rigorous licensing standards for high-impact professions in this Wharton Business Daily podcast episode.
Workforce shortages, talent pipelines at a trickle and expensive labor are all-too-familiar challenges facing businesses and the public sector. In an attempt to tackle these problems, there is a growing trend of exploring the weakening or elimination of certain key job requirements. These proposals include getting rid of college degree requirements without equivalency alternatives, doing away with […]
The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing commissioned Benenson Strategy Group to survey 600 decision-makers for small- and mid-size businesses about the impact of professional licensing on their businesses. The results were clear: businesses overwhelmingly support responsible licensing standards. Click here to download the research summary.
U.S. BUSINESSES IN AGREEMENT: LOWERING LICENSING STANDARDS RAISES BUSINESS RISK 92% of business decision-makers emphasize importance of responsible professional licensing standards for complex, technical professions Washington, D.C. – The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL)—a national coalition of responsible licensing advocates—today released new research findings that show businesses are concerned about the weakening of licensing […]
Experts weigh in on the concept of universal licensing, which proposes that a license obtained in one jurisdiction should be valid in any other jurisdiction. While it may seem like a good idea on the surface, the implementation of this policy is complicated and could compromise public protection. State lawmakers should carefully consider the impact […]
Interstate practice refers to the ability of professionals to practice across state lines. In this video, licensing experts share examples of how states can responsibly accomplish flexibility and mobility. Lawmakers should consider this guidance as they work to achieve interstate practice for a broader mix of professions and occupations.
The Three E’s – Education, Experience, and Examination – form the bedrock of professional licensing in the United States. These three essential components ensure practitioners possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to protect the public and the environment.
Anti-licensing is a misguided effort that undermines the vital role of licensing in safeguarding public welfare. This explainer video covers the misconceptions, risks, and potential harm associated with anti-licensing.
Michael J. Armstrong, CEO of NCARB, joins the Art of Construction podcast: Why Contractors Should Care About Licensing. Listen as Michael explains why contractors should care about the licensing of the architects and engineers they work with, the unintended consequences for the construction industry if architects’ license was weakened or eliminated, the relationship between licensing […]
Let’s start by saying the quiet part out loud: There are differences between us. We represent different political parties in the Illinois House of Representatives. We live in different parts of our state. But in these polarized times, we think it is important to look deeper and notice our similarities. As legislators, we both seek […]
Louisiana Voters Concerned About Anti-Licensing Effort New Survey Finds Strong Bipartisan Support for Maintaining Rigorous Professional Licensing Standards BATON ROUGE – The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) today announced the results of a survey of Louisiana voters showing they are deeply concerned about anti-licensing proposals being discussed in Baton Rouge during this legislative session. The results also showed […]
In March 2022, legislation was filed in Louisiana to significantly weaken licensing standards for professionals working in the state. Proponents of this legislation vastly overestimate the effect anti-licensing would have on jobs and the economy and dangerously underestimate the effect it would have on consumers and the public at large. What has been completely lost […]
Time and again, calls for anti-licensing return to a handful of myths and purported problems that can only be solved by drastically weakening or outright eliminating licensing. Let’s take a closer look at those myths and set the record straight. Download FACT CHECK: The Myths of Anti-licensing.
As governors and state legislators work to boost the economy in the face of inflation, supply-chain disruptions and lingering challenges from the coronavirus pandemic, the issue of licensing reform is once again coming to the fore. It is disappointing but not surprising that a small but vocal group of hardliners, backed by wealthy and powerful […]
As West Virginia prepares to spend billions of dollars in new federal infrastructure funds, citizens of our state must have faith in the integrity of these new construction projects. The best way to ensure this important public confidence is to make sure the people behind the projects have rigorous training and qualifications. The truth is, […]
With the recent enactment of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, engineers and surveyors will be called upon to work with similar professionals to improve the physical infrastructure in our country. They will work to improve the safety of the roads we drive, the bridges we cross, the water we drink, and countless other areas […]
Making it easier for professionals to practice across state lines is appealing, but if it isn’t done right, it can endanger the public’s health and safety. As states move toward reopening and more Americans are vaccinated, policymakers across the country are prioritizing a quick economic recovery. The latest trend among state lawmakers looking to […]
A new report, from the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing and the international research firm Oxford Economics, found that licensing is associated with 6.5% higher wages, on average, for all professions and occupations in the United States. Moreover, the research found that, for women and minorities in technical fields requiring significant education and training, a […]
2/2/2021 Professional Licensing Associated with 6.5% Average Wage Increase Across All Professions and Occupations: National Report New research methodology shows that weakening licensing negatively impacts an important tool that helps fight pay inequity WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL)—a national coalition of responsible licensing advocates—today released Valuing Professional Licensing in […]
The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing commissioned Oxford Economics to produce a first-of-its-kind quantitative research study, Valuing Professional Licensing in the U.S., which explores the impacts of professional licensing in highly complex, technical fields. Click here to download the full report. Click here to download the executive summary. Click here to download the key […]
As the United States works to reverse the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, state legislatures will once again consider occupational licensing reform as a way to jumpstart the economy and get Americans back to work. However, there is no silver bullet to this complex set of challenges. Lately, anti-licensing groups have set their sights on so-called “universal licensing” (proposals from lawmakers […]
The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) supports policies and legislative initiatives that seek to build pathways to interstate practice for professionals in highly technical professions. ARPL represents professions and licensing boards that have more than 100 years of combined experience in creating greater flexibility for professionals and is uniquely positioned to offer best practices […]
Point of View: Be Careful with broad-brush approach to occupational licensing reform By: Tricia H. Hatley, President, National Society of Professional Engineers The Oklahoman “States need to cut licensing red tape permanently” (Point of View, Sept. 9) describes a push to weaken occupational licensing nationally. However, proponents failed to acknowledge the daily and invaluable […]
Licensing for landscape architects By: Ryan R. Binkowski, Landscape Architect, Bonita Springs, FL The News-Press I was surprised to read a recent column in the Naples Daily News arguing for the elimination of licensing for landscape architects. As a licensed landscape architect for 17 years and as a partner and chief operating officer of Waldrop Engineering, […]
“You know, I always wanted to pretend to be an architect,” George Costanza told Jerry Seinfeld. But you wouldn’t want Art Vandelay as your architect. Why? Because Vandelay — the sometimes alter ego of Seinfeld’s George Costanza — is not really an architect. That’s where licensing comes into play: establishing, verifying, and enforcing the necessary […]
Professional licensing must be protected in economy recovery By: Roger Grabman, PE, NSPE The Newman Times-Herald The predicted medical shortages led Georgia to relax certain healthcare worker licensing requirements. The author of a recent Newnan Times Herald column wrote, “Georgia’s decision to temporarily relax licensing requirements for healthcare workers during the pandemic shows, it would certainly […]
From Juneau to Tallahassee, the issue of licensing reform is once again coming to the fore in statehouses across America as lawmakers weigh a range of measures to reverse the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. While licensing reform is predominately a state issue, the Trump administration has issued federal reports to guide state legislators on […]
Skip Braziel, Vice President – State Regulation and Legislation with AICPA and Veronica Meadows, Senior Director of Strategy with CLARB discuss the ongoing fight to ensure responsible licensing standards for professions that protect the public interest, new public opinion results on the importance of professional licensing, and how coronavirus has affected this issue. CPA Conversations […]
Chad Danos, licensed landscape architect, explains the unique impact of his work on protecting the public and bettering communities — and why deregulating the profession would result in dangerous unintended consequences.
Floridians Right to Demand Rigorous Professional Licensing By: Christopher Sharek, President, ASCE Florida Section Tallahassee Democrat A recent article in the Democrat, Deregulate it? Florida lawmakers aim to boost employment by cutting licensing requirements (Feb. 7, 2020), described efforts by some state legislators to weaken or eliminate licensing requirements for Florida professions. While lowering barriers […]
Skip Braziel, Vice President – State Regulation and Legislation with AICPA and David Cox, CEO of NCEES introduce listeners to the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing. It’s about our duty to protect the public, and where we see that threatened is where ARPL will become involved.
Skip Braziel, ARPL, speaks with Cronkite News, Arizona PBS about the importance of responsible licensing for professions with high public impact. We are very specific, unique professions that have a high public impact. If something goes wrong, the public suffers a great deal. So we want to make sure that the standards remain high […]
2/5/2020 New Survey: Consumers Concerned About Rush to Eliminate Professional Licensing Clear Support for Rigorous Professional Licensing to Protect the Public Exists Findings Come as State Legislatures Weigh Weakening or Eliminating Licensing WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) today announced the results of a national survey that indicated widespread public support for maintaining rigorous professional licensing […]
A recent national survey was conducted to understand public opinion toward professional licensing standards. Click here to download an executive summary of the research findings.
American Institute of CPAs president and CEO Barry Melancon talked about the need for CPAs to learn new skills as hiring of accounting graduates has slowed and the CPA licensing model has come under threat in some states… It’s not just targeted to CPAs, but it’s targeted to all licensing. Now that doesn’t mean it’s […]
1/16/20 ASLA Joins New Coalition to Protect Professional Licensing American Society of Landscape Architects and Others Unite as Public Put at Risk by Calls to Eliminate or Weaken Licensing Washington DC – The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) has joined the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) — a coalition of advanced professions focused on educating […]
Lawmakers must protect Ohio’s engineer’s license By: David Martini The Columbus Dispatch As lawmakers in Columbus consider revising state workforce laws in 2020, they would do well to remember that professional licensing for advanced professions like engineers is rigorous for a reason. While unnecessary barriers to entry exist for some occupations in Ohio, policymakers should […]
Kerry Cooley Bruggemann, Professional Engineer, goes behind the scenes at the Minneapolis airport to discuss the role engineers play in designing electrical, fire protection, and HVAC systems that safeguard the public — and how professional licensing ensures high engineering standards.
Professional licensing boards set and enforce standards for highly complex, technical professions that have a high impact on public safety and welfare. Learn more: responsiblelicensing.org.
Carlos Barrera, CPA, discusses various functions within public accounting, how CPAs protect the public from harm, and why removing the CPA designation would put the public at risk.
I am concerned that the desire to lower barriers for some occupations may inadvertently also lower standards for professions that carry high public impact. As a certified public accountant for 42 years and as the immediate past chair of the Arkansas Society of CPAs, I have learned that Arkansans depend on CPAs as trusted financial […]
While we understand Gov. DeSantis’ desire to lower barriers for Floridians entering occupations by eliminating unnecessary requirements, we ask Florida leaders to be mindful of potential unintended consequences for professions — and the professionals in them — that oversee systems vital to Floridians’ safety, health, and financial interests. Engineers, surveyors, architects, landscape architects, and certified […]
Temi Fasusi, licensed architect, describes her early fascination with architecture, the necessary rigor of architecture education and training, and the importance of professional licensing on public safety.
Iowans need professional engineers to be licensed at the highest level because we are responsible for designing facilities and systems such as roads, bridges, buildings, autonomous vehicles, and biotechnology. Because of this tremendous responsibility, an engineer’s license is rigorous for good reason. Iowans would be put at needless risk if the state professional engineers’ license […]
ASCE, NCEES and NSPE will collaborate with other ARPL members to inform lawmakers of the need to maintain standards for highly complex, technical professions like engineering that have a clear impact on public health, safety and welfare. The coalition was formed to ensure the voices and concerns of the advanced professions are heard by lawmakers […]
8/12/2019 CLARB Helps Launch New Coalition to Protect Professional Licensing Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards and Others Unite as Standards Put at Risk by Calls to Eliminate or Weaken Licensing Washington, DC – The Council of Landscape Architectural Registration Boards (CLARB) has helped found the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL) – a new coalition of […]
8/12/2019 AIA, NCARB Help Launch New Coalition to Represent Complex Professions and Licensing Boards Architects, Registration Boards, and Others join effort to ensure a unified voice for professions in growing debate around licensure, regulation, and public safety Washington, DC – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) are […]
8/12/2019 AICPA, NASBA Help Launch New Coalition to Protect Professional Licensing CPAs, Boards of Accountancy and Others Unite to Maintain Public Protection as Licensing Standards Put at Risk Washington, DC – The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) and the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) have helped found the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing […]
8/12/2019 ASCE, NCEES, NSPE Launch New Coalition to Protect Professional Licensing Civil Engineers, Professional Engineers, Licensing Boards and Others Unite as Standards Put at Risk by Calls to Eliminate or Weaken Licensing Washington, DC – The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) and the […]
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB) are among several organizations who have helped found the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing (ARPL)—a new coalition of technical professions focused on educating policymakers and the public about the importance of rigorous professional licensing standards. “NCARB and AIA may approach the […]
The AICPA and NASBA introduced on Monday the Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing, a coalition of advanced professions — including accountants, architects and engineers — that’s focusing on educating policymakers and the public about the importance of rigorous professional licensing standards. “Weakening professional licensing standards on a state-by-state basis will destroy the confidence in qualifications […]