How Utah Just Made Licensing Easier for Professionals

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 reduced unnecessary requirements on those applying for architecture, environmental health science, land surveyors, substance abuse counselors, and geologists. 

Her 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. 

Author Profile Image
About the author

Jon England

Jon is the Senior Education Policy Analyst at Libertas Institute. He is a fourteen-year veteran of public schools. He taught both fifth and sixth grades, receiving Weber District’s E+ Team Award. He proudly homeschools his children with his wife. Jon received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Western Governors University. He spent time in the Marine Corps and separated as a sergeant in 2006. During his time in public schools, Jon increasingly understood the importance of parental empowerment in education. This increased understanding led him to join Libertas to provide educational freedom for families. Jon enjoys spending time with his wife and five children traveling, skiing, and playing games.

Share Post:

Fighting for a Future Where Individuals Are Fully Liberated to Pursue Their Dreams, Free from Coercion and Control.

You Might Also Like

Public disorder concerns are real, and residents deserve effective responses. But overcriminalization is at its most counterproductive reaches people not causing harm while leaving the underlying disorder untouched.
Utah's top 25% most-arrested homeless individuals cost Salt Lake City $51 million annually in shelter, police, court, and medical expenses. As lawmakers pour another $45.6 million into the system, organizations like The Other Side Village are already breaking the cycle through sobriety, accountability, and employment, without taxpayer funding. The data makes the case: expanding a broken system isn't the answer.
No, rent control doesn't work as supporters believe. Rather it treat symptoms while suppressing the signals that prompt more building, and lower costs.

Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control

Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom across the country.