Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Executive order will examine Delaware licensing system

Republicans and Democrats alike joined with Gov. Jack Markell (D) Wednesday afternoon when he unveiled an executive order to review the state’s professional licensing system.

 

 

It’s been a significant issue for years now, with Markell kick starting the initiative in 2014 with an overhaul of barber and cosmetology regulations.

 

Now, he says it’s time to look at the rest of the system.

 

“In some cases, [regulations] may be fully appropriate. We want to make sure that we’re protecting public safety. In some cases, people have to have the appropriate training, no question about it. But there may be some others where we’ve gone overboard and that may not serve the public and I think that’s really what we’re trying to dig into,” Markell said.

 

Right now, there are 60 licensed professions listed on the Division of Professional Regulation’s website, with 85,000 active licenses.

 

That’s compared to the roughly 460,000 people in Delaware who had a job in March, according to the state Labor Department.

 

Markell mentioned this initiative in his State of the State Address in January, and Senate Republicans also listed it as a prong of their comprehensive plan to try and reduce Delaware’s poverty rate over the next several years.

 

“I don’t know what the specifics are, but I’ve got to believe there are plenty of these restrictions that have popped up over the years, which may be great for some, but are not great when it comes to like helping more people actually seek the employment of their dreams,” Markell said.

 

The make up of the committee includes a handful of the governor's cabinet officials and state lawmakers who will report their findings in October.

 

Related Content