March/April 2020

PE Report
Public Supports Rigorous Licensure System for Professionals, Survey Reveals

The NSPE-led Alliance for Responsible Professional Licensing is getting the message out to the public and lawmakers about the responsibility of design professionals and what that really entails. But what does the public really think about professional licensure and occupational licensing reform? According to a recent ARPL study, the public—particularly voters—heavily leans on the side of maintaining licensure standards that promote safety.

Here are some key findings:

The public overwhelmingly supports licensing regulations for complex, highly technical professions that have a direct impact on public health, safety, and welfare. The research found that 75% of voters believe that it is important to ensure qualifications for professionals in certain industries. And many voters believe current professional licensing requirements protect the public and should not be reformed.

However, the public is not entirely opposed to deregulating licensing standards for trades and occupations. Members of the public acknowledge that such reform initiatives may be warranted in some instances, but they are largely opposed to legislation that is not narrowly tailored to those ends. They are deeply concerned by overbroad licensing reform that would jeopardize licensing standards for highly complex, technical professions. The public expects regulation of professions tasked with safeguarding their physical and financial wellbeing. More than 70% of voters believe that regulating professionals in accounting, engineering, architecture, and related fields with high impact on public safety and welfare is important.

Licensing standards are the public’s preferred default position. More than 70% of voters believe professional licensing should be required unless it can be proven that eliminating licensing will not have a negative impact on public health and safety. The public is wary of the alternative approach: requiring licensing only when it is proven necessary for health and safety.

Professional licensing boards are also viewed favorably and are seen as critical regulatory entities. Sixty-seven percent of voters believe that consumers are best protected by a system that regulates education, examination, and experience standards—all of which are overseen by a professional licensing board. And the public intuitively understands what roles the boards play and why those roles are important. Much of the public believes that it is “very important” that the boards oversee qualifications to enter a profession and regulate continuing education and certification standards.