Occupational licensing is the requirement that a person get special permission from a federal, state or local government department in order to legally work in certain jobs. Obtaining such a license typically requires aspiring workers to pay fees, obtain certain educational credentials, pass an exam and meet other standards or qualifications.
Typically, having any sort of criminal record restricts a person from being eligible for a license. In most states, this is enforced through a requirement that license applicants exhibit “good moral character.” In Michigan, about 160 occupations require a state license, with about 100 including a requirement for good moral character.[1]