10 Licensed Careers You Can Start in Under 6 Months

Not everyone has 4 years and $100K to start a new career. Some of the most in-demand licensed professions in the country can be started in weeks, not years. We pulled real licensing data from all 50 states to rank the fastest paths from zero experience to licensed and earning.

Requirements vary by state, so we included ranges. Click through to any profession to see exactly what your state requires.

1. Food Handler / Food Safety

Time to licensed: 1 day to 1 week

Most states require a short food safety course and passing a basic exam. California is just 2 hours of training and a $7 to $15 fee. Many states let you complete everything online in a single sitting.

• Training: 2 to 8 hours depending on state.
• Exam: Food handler exam, typically 40 to 80 questions, 70 to 80% to pass.
• Total cost: $7 to $205 depending on handler vs manager certification.
• Average salary: $27,000 to $35,000 (entry level, varies significantly by role and location).

Best states to start: California ($7 to $15, 2 hours), Texas ($7 to $15, 2 hours), Florida (no state requirement, employer handles it).

Preparing for the food safety exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full Food Handler requirements by state →

2. Notary Public

Time to licensed: 1 to 4 weeks

Becoming a notary is one of the fastest professional licenses you can get. Some states require a short course and exam while others just need an application and bond. California requires 6 hours of education and a 45-question exam.

• Training: 0 to 6 hours depending on state.
• Exam: Required in about half of states, typically 30 to 50 questions.
• Total cost: $50 to $400 including bond, supplies, and filing fees.
• Average salary: $30,000 to $45,000 (full-time notary signing agents can earn significantly more).

Best states to start: Florida (no exam, no course, just apply), Colorado (no course required, 4-year term), California (6-hour course, straightforward exam).

See full Notary Public requirements by state →

3. Security Guard

Time to licensed: 1 to 3 weeks

Most states require a short training course and background check. No prior experience needed. California requires 40 hours of phased training (8 hours to start, then additional hours within first 6 months on the job).

• Training: 8 to 40 hours depending on state.
• Exam: Some states require a written test, many don't.
• Total cost: $50 to $479 including fingerprints and background check.
• Average salary: $33,000 to $45,000.

Best states to start: Texas (no training required, just register), Florida (40-hour Class D course, widely available), Arizona (no state license required for unarmed).

See full Security Guard requirements by state →

4. CDL (Commercial Driver's License)

Time to licensed: 3 to 7 weeks

A CDL gets you behind the wheel of commercial trucks and buses. Federal ELDT training is required but has no minimum hour requirement. Most training programs run 3 to 6 weeks. Some carriers will train you for free in exchange for a contract.

• Training: ELDT required, most programs 120 to 200 hours.
• Exam: CDL knowledge test + skills test (pre-trip, basic controls, road test).
• Total cost: $60 to $100 for the license itself, $3,000 to $7,000 for training (free if carrier-sponsored).
• Average salary: $49,000 to $65,000 first year, experienced drivers $70,000 to $90,000+.

Best states to start: Texas ($60 license fee, abundant carrier-sponsored training), Indiana (low cost, fast processing), Ohio (affordable training programs).

Preparing for the CDL exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full CDL requirements by state →

5. CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant)

Time to licensed: 4 to 12 weeks

CNAs provide direct patient care in hospitals, nursing homes, and home health settings. Training programs are widely available at community colleges, vocational schools, and even some employers who train and pay you simultaneously.

• Training: 75 to 180 hours depending on state (federal minimum is 75 hours).
• Exam: Written exam (typically 60 to 100 questions) + skills evaluation.
• Total cost: $115 to $300 for testing and certification, $500 to $2,000 for training (some employers offer free training).
• Average salary: $33,000 to $42,000.

Best states to start: California ($115 to $180 fees, many employer-sponsored programs), Florida (120 hours training, widely available), Texas (75 hours minimum, fast processing).

Preparing for the CNA exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full CNA requirements by state →

6. Phlebotomist

Time to licensed: 2 to 4 months

Phlebotomists draw blood for testing, donations, and medical procedures. Training programs are short and widely available. Not all states require a license but getting certified makes you way more employable.

• Training: 40 to 80 hours classroom + 40 to 100 hours clinical depending on state.
• Exam: ASCP PBT, NHA CPT, or AMT RPT (all nationally recognized).
• Total cost: $150 to $500 for certification and testing, $700 to $3,000 for training.
• Average salary: $37,000 to $42,000.

Best states to start: California ($235 total fees, 80-hour programs widely available), Texas (no state license required, just get certified), Florida (no state license required).

Preparing for the phlebotomy exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full Phlebotomist requirements by state →

7. EMT (Emergency Medical Technician)

Time to licensed: 3 to 6 months

EMTs respond to emergencies and provide pre-hospital medical care. Training programs are offered at community colleges, fire departments, and private schools. Expect hands-on patient contact starting early in the program.

• Training: 120 to 170 hours depending on state.
• Exam: NREMT cognitive exam (70 to 120 questions, computer adaptive) + psychomotor exam.
• Total cost: $80 to $200 for NREMT and state certification, $1,000 to $3,700 for training.
• Average salary: $36,000 to $42,000.

Best states to start: Texas (affordable programs, high demand), Ohio (short programs, fast state certification), Georgia (competitive training costs).

Preparing for the NREMT exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full EMT requirements by state →

8. Pharmacy Technician

Time to licensed: 1 to 6 months (varies significantly by state)

Pharmacy techs help pharmacists dispense medications, manage inventory, and handle insurance billing. Some states let you start working immediately while you complete training on the job. Others require formal education first.

• Training: Varies wildly by state. Some states accept on-the-job training, others require formal programs.
• Exam: PTCE or ExCPT (not required in all states but most employers want it).
• Total cost: $100 to $300 for registration and testing.
• Average salary: $36,000 to $42,000.

Best states to start: California ($170 to $200 fees, multiple pathways), Texas (can begin work while pursuing certification), Florida (fast registration process).

Preparing for the pharmacy technician exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full Pharmacy Technician requirements by state →

9. Massage Therapist

Time to licensed: 3 to 6 months (some states faster)

Licensed massage therapists work in spas, clinics, chiropractic offices, and private practice. Hour requirements range dramatically by state. Some states require just 200 hours while others want 1,000+.

• Training: 200 to 1,000 hours depending on state (California is 500, some states much lower).
• Exam: MBLEx (Massage & Bodywork Licensing Exam) required in most states.
• Total cost: $200 to $500 for licensing fees, $3,000 to $10,000 for training.
• Average salary: $46,000 to $55,000.

Best states to start: Vermont (no state license required), Kansas (no state license required), Wyoming (no state license required). For licensed states, Virginia (200 hours) and Georgia (500 hours) are on the lower end.

Preparing for the MBLEx? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full Massage Therapist requirements by state →

10. Barber

Time to licensed: 4 to 6 months (fastest states)

Barbering can be a six-figure career with the right clientele. Training hours vary a lot by state. A handful of states require under 1,000 hours which means you can get through a program in about 6 months full time.

• Training: 600 to 2,100 hours depending on state (California is 1,000, New York is 800).
• Exam: Written exam + practical/skills exam in most states.
• Total cost: $100 to $300 for licensing fees, $5,000 to $20,000 for barber school tuition.
• Average salary: $35,000 to $45,000 (tips and booth rental income not captured in BLS data, actual earnings often much higher).

Best states to start: New York (800 hours), Massachusetts (1,000 hours), Florida (600 hours for restricted barber).

Preparing for the barber licensing exam? Practice tests are available from Exam Edge →

See full Barber requirements by state →

How We Ranked These

Rankings are based on verified licensing data from all 50 states plus DC, pulled directly from official state licensing board websites. We looked at required training hours, experience requirements, exam complexity, and total time from day one to holding a license in your hand. Only professions where most states allow completion in under 6 months made the list.

Requirements change. Always check your specific state's requirements before starting a program.

Find which of these fits YOUR situation →

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