New Mexico relaxes occupational license requirements, fees

New Mexico’s Republican governor is ordering state agencies and boards to reduce requirements for occupational licenses in dozens of fields.

Gov. Susana Martinez signed an executive order Wednesday aimed at making it easier for people to enter the workforce by reducing educational and testing requirements for entry-level positions.

Martinez said in a news release that licensure fees are being reduced or even waived entirely for poor and low-income residents who receive food stamps or subsidized health care under Medicaid.

The order applies to boards overseeing licensing for acupuncture, oriental medicine, architecture, barbers, cosmetologists, tattoo artists, funeral services, massage therapy, public accounting and real estate, social work, sign language interpreting and more.

Occupational licensing can address concerns of public safety and consumer protection but also is criticized for limiting work opportunities.