Want job security in the age of AI? Get a state license—any state will do.
When I was in college and unsure about my path, my dad offered straightforward career guidance: become a certified public accountant. Why? Because people will always need tax preparation and financial advice. With a CPA license, you can hang out a shingle and reliably put food on the table.
That advice aged well, and it’s the same counsel I gave my kids when they faced the same crossroads. They don’t all have to become CPAs (one did), but they should pursue a state‑issued professional license. It’s one of the strongest forms of job security available.
This year, state licensing boards have faced scrutiny. A Cato Institute briefing argues that these boards may wield excessive power, and there are ongoing efforts to curb their influence. Some critiques are valid, and the system can certainly be refined. Yet my stance remains unchanged: obtain a license. Despite the criticisms, state licensing remains a powerful safeguard for employment.
Consider becoming a licensed beautician, pharmacist, engineer, cosmetologist, nurse, or landscaper. Tap into the data‑driven construction boom by getting licensed in a trade such as electrical work, plumbing, home improvement, or fire inspection.
These roles aren’t likely to be supplanted by technology. AI and robotics will boost productivity and handle more dangerous tasks, but they will still require human operators who hold professional licenses.
Crucially, the license must be government‑issued, not merely a certificate from a small college or a private company earned through paying a fee. A state license signifies that you completed a recognized educational program and, typically, passed an exam that validates your competence. Many professions also require ongoing education to maintain licensure. Associations and professional organizations further support licensees with education, resources, mentoring, job opportunities, and even healthcare.
Holding a professional license often translates to higher earnings compared to non‑licensed applicants. It lends credibility, signals commitment, and serves as a verifiable indicator of competence and discipline. It doesn’t guarantee a job, but it enhances your profile and acts as a strong professional reference.
In the past, apprenticeships were the primary route to learning a trade. Today, the state often serves that function, and sometimes with even tougher requirements. For example, earning a CPA license in Pennsylvania required not only a college degree but also passing a rigorous exam and two years of public accounting experience. This trend helps explain rising trade school enrollments and growing numbers of state licenses over the past few decades, driven by consumer demand for vetted professionals as well as revenue from licensing fees.
A state license not only improves your chances of landing a job but also makes it easier to start your own business if you choose. It’s one reason why the Wall Street Journal has highlighted private‑equity interest in home‑service contractors like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work.
I’m wary of people who work for companies yet aren’t licensed professionals—customer service reps, software developers, marketers, and others—many of whom could be replaced by AI in the near future.
In the coming years, much of the work that CPAs perform may be automated or augmented by AI. Software can handle research, tax prep, financial analysis, and planning recommendations. But these capabilities will augment the best professionals, not replace them. Like any skilled trade, there are elements a bot cannot replicate: giving advice, offering reassurance, evaluating nuanced situations, and communicating with clients. The most effective professionals will embrace AI tools to work more efficiently, while clients expect their experts to stay current with technology.
Clients will assume that professionals leverage technology to perform their jobs more effectively, just as contractors use the latest tools to work faster and better—and they’ll be right. The upcoming tech wave is likely to unleash a boom in hands‑on, mind‑driven work. State licensing will only become more valuable.
My dad didn’t always get everything right, but his take on licensing remains as relevant as ever.
