The people we hire should know what they are doing. But the government creating redundant requirements of those applying for licenses is an inefficiency.
Requiring an accredited bachelor’s degree and a licensing exam is unnecessary. In the case of architecture, it was incredibly difficult because no university offered an accredited bachelor’s degree. Instead, the universities accredited their master’s degrees, requiring students to spend even more money at the school.
Luckily, Representative Stephanie Gricius and Senator Chris Wilson reduced unnecessary requirements on those applying for architecture, environmental health science, land surveyors, substance abuse counselors, and geologists.
This bill removed the accreditation requirement from these occupations, or created pathways outside of the college environment.
The most exciting development from this bill was the creation of a non-bachelor’s degree license for architects. Prior to this bill, architects had a legal path to licensure that did not require a bachelor’s degree, but it was little used or understood. Rep. Gricius added this pathway to law, preserving it for future architects.
Government oversight of licensure often creates inefficiencies for applicants. Removing requirements allows motivated individuals to pursue their careers faster.
Education Policy Analyst
Jon is the Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He previously taught fifth and sixth grade and served as an elementary principal in Weber School District for 14 years.