Comment: Freedom to work is on the line

What do barbers, medical professionals, taxidermists, school bus drivers and manicurists have in common? They need a professional license from the state to be allowed to do their job in Florida.

Currently, many of these skilled professionals cannot perform their jobs in many other states if they have a professional license in Florida – nor here in Florida if their professional license is from somewhere else. Thankfully, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 1600 this 2024 session, which will be a game changer for young residents to get to work quickly.

Presumably, most of these professionals would perform their job duties in the same way regardless of where they practice their craft. By eliminating barriers for these professionals in other states who want to live here in Florida, the state can more easily welcome them and allow them to contribute to our state’s economy, all while serving our residents.

During Gov. In Ron DeSantis’ campaign for governor, he championed occupational licensing reform, exemplifying in campaign stops that it was currently easier to become a paratrooper in the military than a cosmetologist. In 2020, Florida made major strides when the legislature passed the DeSantis “Job Freedom and Opportunity Act,” which removed barriers to entry in certain occupations licensed by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. SB 1600 will do even more to put people to work and reform our occupational licensing system so we can continue to thrive here in the Sunshine State.

These hard-working Americans don’t have to jump to do the same job in another state. Universal license recognition doesn’t just benefit the individual—it’s positive for the entire state, supporting a thriving Florida economy by driving employment. Universal licensing also lowers costs for businesses because there is no cost to retrain these professionals as they have already been trained to earn a license in the state they came from.

Currently, 20 states have adopted universal recognition for overseas licensees. Florida, the fastest growing state, should become the 21st, promoting the growth of its economy and better serving residents as they come and go. We must not allow unelected bureaucrats and special interests to prevent individuals from getting to work faster.

DeSantis should continue to advocate for universal licensing and sign SB 1600, which will remove more barriers for people to continue working in their profession.

Skylar Zander is the state director of Americans for Prosperity in Florida.