Licensing Rankings by State

Compare licensing costs, training requirements, and renewal fees across all 50 US states + DC. Choose a profession below to see state-by-state rankings.

Difficulty Rankings State Scorecards

Real Estate Agent

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours Fewest Training Hours

Notary Public

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Cosmetologist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest Training Hours

Insurance Agent

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

CDL

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Teacher

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Barber

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest Training Hours

Home Inspector

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Fewest CE Hours

Massage Therapist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Mortgage Loan Originator

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Pharmacy Technician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Plumber

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours Fewest Apprenticeship Hours

Esthetician

Fewest CE Hours

CNA

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Electrician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours Fewest Apprenticeship Hours

HVAC Technician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Dental Hygienist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

EMT / Paramedic

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

General Contractor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Vet Tech

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Social Worker

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Security Guard

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Pest Control

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Land Surveyor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Respiratory Therapist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Private Investigator

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Dietitian

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

CPA

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Architect

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

PTA

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Chiropractor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

LPN

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Professional Engineer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

OTA

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Optician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Dental Assistant

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Counselor (LPC)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Tattoo Artist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Physical Therapist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Nail Technician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Speech-Language Pathologist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Funeral Director

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours Fewest Apprenticeship Hours

Audiologist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Occupational Therapist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Radiologic Technologist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Acupuncturist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Optometrist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Athletic Trainer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Psychologist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Landscape Architect

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Pharmacist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Physician Assistant

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Registered Nurse

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Veterinarian

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Dentist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Nurse Practitioner

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

LMFT

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Substance Abuse Counselor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Paramedic

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Real Estate Broker

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

LCSW

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Insurance Adjuster

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Physician (MD/DO)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Nurse Midwife (CNM)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Podiatrist (DPM)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Genetic Counselor (CGC)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Geologist (PG)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Soil Scientist (CSS/PSS)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Court Reporter (CVR/RPR)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Fewest CE Hours

Interior Designer (CID/RID)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Bail Bondsman (BB/SBA)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Auctioneer (AUC/CAI)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Fewest CE Hours

Sign Language Interpreter

Fewest CE Hours

Midwife (CPM/LM)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Hearing Aid Specialist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Environmental Scientist (QEP)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

School Counselor (SC/NCC)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Polygraph Examiner (PE/CPE)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Music Therapist (MT-BC)

Fewest CE Hours

Nursing Home Administrator (NHA)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Radiation Therapist (RTT/CMD)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Electrologist (CPE/CCE)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Perfusionist (CCP/LP)

Fewest CE Hours

Crane Operator (CCO/NCCCO)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Clinical Laboratory Scientist (MLS/CLS)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Polysomnographic Technologist (RPSGT)

Fewest CE Hours

Water/Wastewater Operator (OIT/ORC)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Driving Instructor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Nuclear Medicine Technologist (CNMT/ARRT(N))

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Fire Alarm Technician (NICET)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Phlebotomist (CPT/PBT)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Freight Broker

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Tax Preparer / Enrolled Agent

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Alcohol Server

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Food Handler

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Tow Truck Operator

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Lead Paint / RRP

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Asbestos Professional

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Radon Professional

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Well Driller

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Process Server

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Childcare / Daycare

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Painting Contractor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Arborist

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Boiler Operator

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Collection Agency

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Welder

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Drone Pilot (Part 107)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Property Manager

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Medical Coder

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Auto Mechanic / ASE

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Personal Trainer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Medical Assistant

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Firefighter

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Solar Panel Installer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Pilot (PPL/CPL/ATP)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Low Voltage / Alarm Installer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Roofing Contractor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Septic System Installer

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost Fewest CE Hours

Mold Inspector / Remediator

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Pool / Spa Contractor

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Home Health Aide (HHA)

Cheapest States Most Expensive States Lowest Renewal Cost

Irrigation Technician

Cheapest States Most Expensive States

Rankings are based on verified data from official state licensing boards. Fee rankings use the lower bound where ranges are listed.124 professions with ranking data available.