Professional License Difficulty Rankings (2026)

Not all professional licenses are created equal. Some take weeks to obtain; others require years of education, multiple exams, and thousands of dollars in fees. This page ranks 135 licensed professions in the United States by overall difficulty, based on real data from state licensing boards.

Each profession receives a composite score from 1 (easiest) to 10 (hardest), calculated from five measurable factors: how long it takes to get licensed, how much it costs, the education or training hours required, the number of exams you must pass, and the ongoing continuing-education burden after licensure.

Professions Ranked

135

Hardest

Podiatrist

Score: 6.4

Easiest

Tax Preparer

Score: 1.0

Scoring Methodology

Each profession is scored on five factors, weighted by their impact on difficulty:

Timeline (35%) — Average total time to licensure across states, including education and experience requirements. Longer timelines increase the score.
Cost (25%) — Average initial licensing fees (application, exam, and government fees). Higher costs increase the score.
Education/Training Hours (20%) — Required classroom, clinical, or apprenticeship hours. More hours increase the score.
Number of Exams (10%) — Distinct exam sections or tests required for licensure. More exams increase the score.
CE Burden (10%) — Continuing-education hours required per renewal cycle. Higher ongoing requirements increase the score.

Each factor is normalized across all professions (min-max scaling to 0–10), then combined using the weights above. The final composite score is mapped to a 1–10 scale. Professions missing data for a factor have that weight redistributed among the remaining factors. Only professions with data for at least two factors are included.

All data comes from LicenseMap's verified state board data, BLS occupational statistics, and official exam administrators.

#	Profession	Score	Timeline	Avg. Cost	Education	Exams	CE Hours
1	Podiatrist	6.4	10.2 yr	$437	—	—	—
2	Geologist	5.5	9.3 yr	$230	—	—	21 hrs
3	CPA	5.4	5.6 yr	$195	—	6	74 hrs
4	Naturopathic Doctor	5.3	8.1 yr	$360	—	—	40 hrs
5	Professional Engineer	5.3	8.3 yr	$731	—	—	27 hrs
6	Social Worker	5.2	8.1 yr	$416	—	—	33 hrs
7	Surveyor	5.2	8.1 yr	$935	—	—	25 hrs
8	Anesthesiologist Assistant	5.1	6.7 yr	$274	—	—	63 hrs
9	Crna	5.0	8.2 yr	$1,971	—	1	24 hrs
10	Landscape Architect	4.9	6.3 yr	$2,726	—	—	20 hrs
11	Pilot	4.9	3 mo	$11,075	—	—	—
12	Psychologist	4.9	7 yr	$1,050	—	—	33 hrs
13	School Counselor	4.9	6.5 yr	$96	—	—	58 hrs
14	Optometrist	4.8	4.2 yr	$4,878	—	—	34 hrs
15	Orthotist-Prosthetist	4.8	7.2 yr	$380	—	—	32 hrs
16	Physician	4.8	7.1 yr	$496	—	—	—
17	Architect	4.7	7.7 yr	$1,682	—	1	21 hrs
18	Soil Scientist	4.7	7.3 yr	$196	—	—	25 hrs
19	Nurse Midwife	4.6	7.3 yr	$137	—	—	24 hrs
20	Art Therapist	4.5	6.7 yr	$172	—	—	32 hrs
21	Athletic Trainer	4.5	6.1 yr	$574	—	—	42 hrs
22	Genetic Counselor	4.5	6.2 yr	$318	—	—	42 hrs
23	Behavior Analyst	4.4	6.3 yr	$271	—	—	32 hrs
24	Music Therapist	4.3	4.6 yr	$151	—	—	72 hrs
25	Perfusionist	4.2	6.2 yr	$256	—	—	29 hrs
26	Dentist	4.1	4.2 yr	$2,331	—	—	39 hrs
27	Interior Designer	4.0	6.3 yr	$204	—	—	14 hrs
28	LMFT	3.8	4.6 yr	$704	—	—	34 hrs
29	Nursing Home Administrator	3.8	4.9 yr	$468	—	—	34 hrs
30	Veterinarian	3.8	4.1 yr	$1,941	—	—	26 hrs
31	Counselor	3.7	4.6 yr	$539	—	—	33 hrs
32	Cosmetologist	3.6	1.1 yr	$202	1,538 hrs	2	—
33	Dietitian	3.5	4.6 yr	$401	—	—	—
34	LCSW	3.5	4.2 yr	$442	—	—	32 hrs
35	Pharmacist	3.5	4.1 yr	$1,065	—	—	25 hrs
36	Clinical Laboratory Scientist	3.4	4.2 yr	$128	—	—	33 hrs
37	Chiropractor	3.3	3.8 yr	$527	—	—	29 hrs
38	Audiologist	3.2	4.1 yr	$354	—	—	20 hrs
39	Barber	3.2	12 mo	$193	1,288 hrs	2	—
40	Teacher	3.2	4.2 yr	$134	—	—	—
41	Acupuncturist	3.1	3.6 yr	$327	—	—	27 hrs
42	Medical Assistant	3.1	9 mo	$5,147	—	—	—
43	Electrician	3.0	4.1 yr	$87	—	—	15 hrs
44	Physical Therapist	3.0	3.1 yr	$811	—	—	28 hrs
45	Plumber	3.0	4.2 yr	$122	—	—	8 hrs
46	Fire Sprinkler	2.9	3.9 yr	$445	—	—	10 hrs
47	Physician Assistant	2.9	2.6 yr	$1,784	—	—	—
48	Environmental Scientist	2.8	—	$799	—	—	40 hrs
49	Nurse Practitioner	2.8	2.2 yr	$1,420	—	—	29 hrs
50	Polysomnographic Technologist	2.8	2.2 yr	$187	—	—	46 hrs
51	Speech-Language Pathologist	2.8	3.3 yr	$362	—	—	21 hrs
52	Elevator Mechanic	2.7	3.5 yr	$180	—	—	9 hrs
53	Occupational Therapist	2.7	2.7 yr	$821	—	—	22 hrs
54	Funeral Director	2.6	3.1 yr	$541	—	—	11 hrs
55	Dental Hygienist	2.5	2.2 yr	$460	—	—	26 hrs
56	PTA	2.5	2.2 yr	$674	—	—	25 hrs
57	Real Estate Broker	2.5	2.6 yr	$366	—	—	20 hrs
58	HVAC Technician	2.4	2.8 yr	$254	—	—	9 hrs
59	Midwife	2.4	2.2 yr	$300	—	—	22 hrs
60	OTA	2.4	2.2 yr	$725	—	—	21 hrs
61	Paramedic	2.4	1.1 yr	$291	—	—	48 hrs
62	Radiologic Technologist	2.4	2.2 yr	$352	—	—	23 hrs
63	Respiratory Therapist	2.4	2.2 yr	$651	—	—	20 hrs
64	Nuclear Medicine Technologist	2.3	2.1 yr	$244	—	—	24 hrs
65	Private Investigator	2.3	3.1 yr	$382	31 hrs	—	12 hrs
66	Radiation Therapist	2.3	2.1 yr	$165	—	—	24 hrs
67	Sign Language Interpreter	2.3	2.1 yr	$199	—	—	22 hrs
68	Substance Abuse Counselor	2.3	1.2 yr	$492	—	—	39 hrs
69	Court Reporter	2.2	2.1 yr	$163	—	—	17 hrs
70	Registered Nurse	2.2	2.1 yr	$375	—	1	24 hrs
71	Tow Truck Operator	2.2	2 wk	$3,946	—	—	4 hrs
72	Veterinary Technician	2.2	2.2 yr	$488	—	—	12 hrs
73	Electrologist	2.1	7 mo	$114	594 hrs	—	14 hrs
74	General Contractor	2.1	1.9 yr	$309	—	—	11 hrs
75	Swimming Pool Contractor	2.0	1.8 yr	$328	—	—	9 hrs
76	Medical Coder	1.9	5 mo	$2,089	—	—	—
77	Welder	1.9	6 mo	$2,069	—	—	—
78	LPN	1.8	1.1 yr	$343	—	1	22 hrs
79	Surgical Technologist	1.8	1.1 yr	$72	—	—	23 hrs
80	Fire Alarm Technician	1.7	1.2 yr	$218	—	—	13 hrs
81	Polygraph Examiner	1.7	10 mo	$172	—	—	22 hrs
82	Hearing Aid Specialist	1.6	10 mo	$167	—	—	17 hrs
83	Irrigation Contractor	1.6	12 mo	$416	—	—	10 hrs
84	Massage Therapist	1.6	7 mo	$375	—	—	19 hrs
85	Pharmacy Technician	1.6	7 mo	$214	—	—	18 hrs
86	Real Estate Agent	1.6	1 mo	$296	—	2	20 hrs
87	Water/Wastewater Operator	1.6	7 mo	$127	—	—	21 hrs
88	Auto Mechanic	1.5	1 yr	$112	—	—	—
89	Mold Inspector	1.5	2 wk	$1,539	—	—	—
90	Personal Trainer	1.5	2 mo	$574	—	—	20 hrs
91	Well Driller	1.5	4 mo	$1,124	—	—	9 hrs
92	Freight Broker	1.4	1 mo	$1,199	—	—	—
93	Home Inspector	1.4	1 mo	$363	—	1	24 hrs
94	Insurance Adjuster	1.4	1 mo	$149	—	—	23 hrs
95	Pool Contractor	1.4	1 mo	$596	—	—	14 hrs
96	Solar Installer	1.4	1 mo	$785	—	—	12 hrs
97	Asbestos	1.3	1 wk	$787	—	—	—
98	Bail Bondsman	1.3	1 mo	$273	—	—	14 hrs
99	Collection Agency	1.3	1 mo	$704	—	—	—
100	Dental Assistant	1.3	2 mo	$136	—	—	16 hrs
101	Esthetician	1.3	6 mo	$111	—	—	7 hrs
102	Firefighter	1.3	6 mo	$350	—	—	—
103	Lead Rrp	1.3	1 wk	$773	—	—	—
104	Locksmith	1.3	2 mo	$197	—	—	13 hrs
105	Mold	1.3	2 wk	$743	—	—	11 hrs
106	Optician	1.3	1 mo	$496	—	—	12 hrs
107	Radon	1.3	2 wk	$590	—	—	10 hrs
108	Septic Installer	1.3	1 mo	$928	18 hrs	—	7 hrs
109	Auctioneer	1.2	2 mo	$225	—	—	8 hrs
110	Boiler Operator	1.2	2 wk	$77	—	—	11 hrs
111	Crane Operator	1.2	4 mo	$171	—	—	—
112	Driving Instructor	1.2	2 mo	$97	47 hrs	—	8 hrs
113	Irrigation Technician	1.2	2 wk	$729	—	—	6 hrs
114	Low Voltage Installer	1.2	1 mo	$252	—	—	12 hrs
115	Nail Technician	1.2	5 mo	$153	—	—	6 hrs
116	Painting Contractor	1.2	1 mo	$273	—	—	9 hrs
117	Pawnbroker	1.2	2 mo	$528	—	—	—
118	Phlebotomist	1.2	2 mo	$130	—	—	9 hrs
119	Property Manager	1.2	2 mo	$544	—	—	—
120	Roofing Contractor	1.2	2 wk	$255	—	—	10 hrs
121	Arborist	1.1	1 mo	$283	—	—	—
122	CDL Driver	1.1	1 mo	$35	—	—	—
123	Childcare	1.1	1 mo	$79	—	—	—
124	CNA	1.1	2 mo	$154	—	—	—
125	Drone Pilot	1.1	2 wk	$175	—	—	—
126	EMT	1.1	2 mo	$176	—	—	—
127	Home Health Aide	1.1	1 mo	$250	—	—	—
128	Insurance Agent	1.1	1 mo	$112	—	—	—
129	Pest Control Operator	1.1	1 mo	$113	38 hrs	—	8 hrs
130	Process Server	1.1	1 wk	$134	—	—	6 hrs
131	Security Guard	1.1	1 mo	$99	—	—	6 hrs
132	Tattoo Artist	1.1	2 mo	$50	—	—	7 hrs
133	Food Handler	1.0	3 wk	$81	—	—	—
134	Notary	1.0	1 mo	$41	—	—	—
135	Tax Preparer	1.0	1 mo	$24	—	—	—

Difficulty Tiers

Moderate (4.0 \u2013 6.9) (27 professions)

A meaningful investment of time and money, but achievable within 1\u20134 years for most candidates.

Easy (1.0 \u2013 3.9) (108 professions)

Relatively low barriers to entry \u2014 shorter timelines, lower costs, and fewer exam requirements.

LMFT3.8 Nursing Home Administrator3.8 Veterinarian3.8 Counselor3.7 Cosmetologist3.6 Dietitian3.5 LCSW3.5 Pharmacist3.5 Clinical Laboratory Scientist3.4 Chiropractor3.3 Audiologist3.2 Barber3.2 Teacher3.2 Acupuncturist3.1 Medical Assistant3.1 Electrician3.0 Physical Therapist3.0 Plumber3.0 Fire Sprinkler2.9 Physician Assistant2.9 Environmental Scientist2.8 Nurse Practitioner2.8 Polysomnographic Technologist2.8 Speech-Language Pathologist2.8 Elevator Mechanic2.7 Occupational Therapist2.7 Funeral Director2.6 Dental Hygienist2.5 PTA2.5 Real Estate Broker2.5 HVAC Technician2.4 Midwife2.4 OTA2.4 Paramedic2.4 Radiologic Technologist2.4 Respiratory Therapist2.4 Nuclear Medicine Technologist2.3 Private Investigator2.3 Radiation Therapist2.3 Sign Language Interpreter2.3 Substance Abuse Counselor2.3 Court Reporter2.2 Registered Nurse2.2 Tow Truck Operator2.2 Veterinary Technician2.2 Electrologist2.1 General Contractor2.1 Swimming Pool Contractor2.0 Medical Coder1.9 Welder1.9 LPN1.8 Surgical Technologist1.8 Fire Alarm Technician1.7 Polygraph Examiner1.7 Hearing Aid Specialist1.6 Irrigation Contractor1.6 Massage Therapist1.6 Pharmacy Technician1.6 Real Estate Agent1.6 Water/Wastewater Operator1.6 Auto Mechanic1.5 Mold Inspector1.5 Personal Trainer1.5 Well Driller1.5 Freight Broker1.4 Home Inspector1.4 Insurance Adjuster1.4 Pool Contractor1.4 Solar Installer1.4 Asbestos1.3 Bail Bondsman1.3 Collection Agency1.3 Dental Assistant1.3 Esthetician1.3 Firefighter1.3 Lead Rrp1.3 Locksmith1.3 Mold1.3 Optician1.3 Radon1.3 Septic Installer1.3 Auctioneer1.2 Boiler Operator1.2 Crane Operator1.2 Driving Instructor1.2 Irrigation Technician1.2 Low Voltage Installer1.2 Nail Technician1.2 Painting Contractor1.2 Pawnbroker1.2 Phlebotomist1.2 Property Manager1.2 Roofing Contractor1.2 Arborist1.1 CDL Driver1.1 Childcare1.1 CNA1.1 Drone Pilot1.1 EMT1.1 Home Health Aide1.1 Insurance Agent1.1 Pest Control Operator1.1 Process Server1.1 Security Guard1.1 Tattoo Artist1.1 Food Handler1.0 Notary1.0 Tax Preparer1.0

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Difficulty scores are computed from LicenseMap's database of state licensing requirements. Timeline includes education, experience, and application processing. Cost reflects government fees only (excludes tuition). CE hours are per renewal cycle. Scores are relative comparisons across professions, not absolute measures.