Authored by Jon England, Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute
Government-mandated degrees restrict qualified professionals from entering the workforce. Historically, a college degree indicated essential skills and preparedness for jobs, but today, such degree requirements often arbitrarily exclude capable individuals from meaningful employment. Research shows these mandates contribute to labor shortages, reduce economic mobility, and inflate consumer costs without measurably improving service quality.
Utah is well-positioned to lead national licensing reform by shifting toward market-driven competency evaluations and alternative credentials. Reforms such as removing unnecessary degree requirements and recognizing competency-based pathways will significantly reduce barriers, increase economic opportunity, and maintain professional standards through demonstrated performance rather than formal degrees alone.
