This would be welcome news, for reasons I’ve made explicit in newsletters and reports. Per NC Capitol Connection:
A state legislative subcommittee approved draft legislation Thursday that would dissolve 15 occupational licensing boards in the state.
Included for dissolution are the boards currently licensing electrologists and laser hair practitioners, fee-based practicing pastoral counselors, interpreters and transliterators, irrigation contractors, recreational therapists and recreational therapy assistants, acupuncturists, athletic trainers, foresters, locksmiths, podiatrists, alarm systems businesses, continuing education for fire and casualty insurance licensees and life and health insurance licensees, employee assistance professionals, perfusionists and also public librarians.
Along with the dissolution of the boards would be the current licensing requirements the independent boards have laid on those wishing to join the field.
The legislation would be set to go into effect May 1, 2017, giving the boards a year if the legislation is passed early on in the session, set to begin next month.
The move by the Occupational Licensing Board Oversight subcommittee of the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee is being floated with the intention of de-regulating the state to remove barriers to entry for newcomers to the affected occupations.
The measure will go to the full Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee.
