A legislative oversight subcommittee is pushing ahead with its review of the administration of occupational licensing in North Carolina.
Sen. Andy Wells, R-Catawba, who chairs the occupational licenses subcommittee, said lawmakers want to take a look at what the state is doing compared to other states.
“Are we overregulating?” Wells asked. “That’s the question… How do we make sure that we’re competitive with other states.”
Committee counsel Jeff Hudson told the subcommittee that the staff is looking at all 55 licensing boards in the state.
Representatives of occupational licensing boards that could be targeted for consolidation or closure spoke up for their boards.
Mike Mullis of Mullis Design Group encouraged the state to continue licensing landscape architects.
“As the professional society for our profession, we highly value our licensure,” Mullis said. “We train extensively through college.” He said there’s an experience requirement and a required exam.
Ronda Jones, chairwoman of the N.C. Board of Electrolysis Examiners, said the board has tried to consolidate with other boards but had been unable to do so.
Last month, advocates from the John Locke Foundation urged lawmakers to consider doing away with some state licensing boards. Instead, the advocates urged, replaced professional licensure with voluntary certification.
