State Licenses Bolster Job Security Amid AI Advances in 2025
In 2025, state licensing boards have come under scrutiny for alleged overreach, sparking efforts to limit their power. However, state licenses continue to offer strong job security in the age of artificial intelligence, providing workers with credibility, higher pay, and opportunities to start their own businesses.
Such licenses, which are government-issued, typically require completion of educational programs, passing exams, and fulfilling ongoing continuing education requirements, distinguishing them from casual certificates. Licensed professions include beauticians, pharmacists, engineers, cosmetologists, nurses, landscapers, and trades in construction areas like electrical, plumbing, home improvement, and fire inspection.
Trade-school enrollment has risen by over 35% since 2020, reflecting growing interest in licensed trades. Additionally, the number of state licenses has increased by as much as 30% over recent decades. Private-equity firms have begun acquiring home-service contractors specializing in HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work, transforming these businesses into large, profitable enterprises, further demonstrating the value of licensed professionals.
While AI is expected to automate many tasks performed by certified public accountants, licensed professionals will continue to provide advisory services, interpretative expertise, and client relations, using AI as a tool rather than a replacement. The author anticipates a forthcoming technology boom that will drive demand for both skilled hands and intellectual work, making state licensure an increasingly important credential for career stability and growth.
