Final answer:
Occupational licenses are required for various professions and indicate that the worker has completed specific education or tests. They are used to establish credibility in the labor market and are typically issued by government agencies. Around 29% of U.S. workers have jobs that necessitate occupational licenses.
Step-by-step explanation:
Occupational licenses are used in the labor market to establish quality and credibility. These licenses are typically issued by government agencies and indicate that a worker has completed a specific type of education or passed certain tests. For example, doctors, teachers, nurses, engineers, accountants, and lawyers are among the professionals who are required to hold a license.
In addition to these professions, many other jobs also require a license, such as barbers, embalmers, dietitians, massage therapists, hearing aid dealers, counselors, insurance agents, and real estate brokers. Some jobs may require a license in only one state, while others may require it in multiple states. For instance, in Minnesota, a state license is required to be a field archaeologist, while North Dakota has a state license for bait retailers. Louisiana requires a state license to work as a 'stress analyst', and California requires a state license to be a furniture upholsterer.
According to a 2013 study from the University of Chicago, approximately 29% of U.S. workers have jobs that require occupational licenses.