Professional and Occupational Licensure in the United States

A sourcebook to be used by policymakers, regulators, licensees, and consumers who wish to gain a better understanding of the regulation of the major professions and occupations within the 50 states. Topics covered include licensing restrictions, board disciplinary activities, and current licensure trends. The limited available literature on the subject of licensure demonstrates that state professional and occupational licensure boards play a critical role in protecting the public from unqualified and unscrupulous practitioners. The primary responsibility of the boards is to protect consumers by ensuring that practitioners meet established criteria for admission, maintain competency, and adhere to ethical and practice standards. Among the major issues explored are the historical development of licensure, licensing restrictions, public participation in licensure board functions, board disciplinary activities, current licensure trends, and other forms of regulation. This book also provides references and brief summaries of other works of interest and identifies the type of regulation the various states employ to monitor members of the major professions and occupations.