With one in four jobs requiring an occupational license, licensing is one of the central factors that shapes employment opportunities for many workers. AIR has worked with the National Conference for State Legislatures and its partner organizations, the Council of State Governments and the National Governors Association's Center for Best Practices to develop case studies reviewing their licensing practices. This report illustrates each state’s effort and identifies promising practices from these states.

The coronavirus pandemic has affected how we live, work, and thrive—and reminded us of the vast inequities that persist in our culture. Research and evidence can be a path forward through these uncertain times and help us improve the lives of individuals, communities, and society. Here are some highlights of how AIR contributed and used evidence to inform practice during this unprecedented year.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. This virus, also known as COVID-19, has dramatically changed the lives of people around the globe, touching all aspects of life, from health care to education to the economy. In this new world of rapidly changing information about the virus, AIR seeks to be a source of evidence-based information that examines and begins to understand the various complexities of this crisis.

The limited available research suggests that students with a disability are less likely to enroll in and complete college than students without a disability; however, this research draws primarily on surveys with voluntary responses and often with a small sample size. This study offers new evidence to inform policies and research about how to serve students with a disability in postsecondary education.

With the COVID-19 crisis affecting the economy and employment, reducing barriers to work has become increasingly important, and changes to occupational licensing could pave the way for getting people back to work. In this video, AIR's Christina Curnow discusses what AIR has learned about occupational licensing through research and a data-driven approach.