Includes states with universal licensing reform already in effect from 2016 to 2022. Reforms are included only if they include all or almost all occupations, e.g., the reform is included if it excludes a subset of occupations but not if the bill only passes recognition for a single occupation or subset of occupations. This dataset also does not include legislation that is not primarily oriented around licensing recognition, e.g., if a state includes a clause for recognition or voluntary endorsement in a bill on a separate subject, the bill is not included in the sample. Reforms are included as recognition if the content of the legislation fits the criteria of recognition, even if the bill describes the reform as endorsement or as reciprocity.
