Strengthening Universal Recognition of Occupational Licenses: A Case Study Approach

Abstract

States passing universal recognition subsequent to New Jersey and Arizona have experimented with variations on the original law. We contend that two provisions added to universal recognition in Idaho have strengthened the value proposition of the law for a wider range of professions and should therefore be considered by other states. First, Idaho eliminated the use of state-specific jurisprudence examinations as a requirement to practice in Idaho, though this policy did exclude the Idaho State Bar which licenses attorneys. Second, Idaho established limits on the fees charged to universal licensure candidates to no more than the standard licensing fee to ensure fees are not used as a means of deterring mobility. We illustrate the value of these provisions by using data from Arizona, New Jersey, and Idaho specific to the pharmacy profession. We focus on the pharmacist profession for a couple of reasons. First, pharmacists are licensed in all 50 states. Second, pharmacists are required to pass a jurisprudence exam in nearly all states when seeking initial licensing or looking to transfer to a new state. Finally, the jurisprudence exam is one of the more onerous barriers that pharmacists encounter when looking to more from one state to another.

Keywords: occupational licensing, universal recognition, pharmacists, policy evaulation

JEL Classification: J44, K23