Source: Bluegrass Institute
by Ed Timmons
“Kentucky’s labor market continues to struggle compared to neighboring states and the national average with an unemployment rate of 4.7% – significantly higher than the national average of 4.3%. In contrast, states like Indiana and Virginia boast unemployment rates of 3.6%; Arkansas and West Virginia stand at 3.8%. A significant factor holding Kentucky back is its occupational licensing system – one of the nation’s most restrictive – which creates unnecessary barriers to employment. Occupational licensing requires individuals to meet state-mandated requirements, including education, training, exams and fees, before they can legally work in certain professions. While licensing is universal for some occupations like physicians and lawyers, Kentucky goes further, licensing 177 of the 254 occupations studied in a national report I coauthored for the Archbridge Institute.” (10/22/25)
https://www.bluegrassinstitute.org/boost-kentuckys-labor-market-reform-occupational-licensing/