Occupational licensure review bill passes Ohio House

State Representative Mark Hiner (R-Howard) announced that the Ohio House of Representatives last week passed House Bill 59, legislation he jointly sponsored with State Representative Sarah Fowler Arthur (R-Ashtabula) to review and modernize Ohio’s occupational licenses.

Under current law, the General Assembly must review one-third of all state-issued occupational licenses every biennium. The purpose is to remove unnecessary barriers to entering the workforce, ensure each board or agency is fulfilling its statutory mission, encourage professional development and job creation, and verify that Ohio’s licensing standards align with those of other states.

For this review cycle, Chair Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth) and the House General Government Committee held hearings with 10 boards and agencies to evaluate more than 100 licenses. Representatives Fowler Arthur and Hiner then led the legislative effort incorporating the recommendations from the committee into H.B. 59. 

This bill lowers nine license fees and streamlines licensing processes and continuing education for several other licenses. 

“We believe this cycle’s review accomplishes exactly what we set out to do,” said Representative Hiner. “It reduces red tape, improves efficiency in state government, and helps make it more affordable for Ohioans to enter and remain in the workforce.”

Boards and agencies reviewed in this cycle include the Ohio Athletic Commission, four divisions within the Department of Commerce (Ohio Construction Industry Licensing Board, Historical Boilers Licensing Board, Ohio Home Inspector Licensing Board, and the Division of Securities), the State Board of Education, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Health, the State Medical Board, and the Department of Natural Resources. 

“I commend every member of the House General Government Committee for the substantial time devoted to the review process and for thoroughness of the review,” said Rep. Ray. 

H.B. 59 is the result of a good government measure to streamline occupational licensure requirements, decrease barriers to entry, and lower license fees for everyday Ohioans. 

House Bill 59 now advances to the Ohio Senate for consideration.