Six for ’26: Great Occupational Licensing Reforms to Watch in the 2026 Regular Legislative Session
The 2026 regular legislative session brings some welcome news for occupational licensure reform. This year, several legislators are sponsoring bills that will make it easier for Louisianans to work in the lawful profession of their choice. Here are a few worth watching.
Sen. Stewart Cathey is sponsoring SB 54, which moves blow drying hair services to the statute governing the practice of esthetics. Blow dry salons, as the name suggests, typically offer a single service-shampooing and blow dry styling hair-which many people do on their own every day without a permission slip from the government. These salons do not cut, color, or use any chemical processes on hair. Currently, blow dry stylists must obtain a blow dry technician license, which requires 1000 hours of training. SB54 would require blow dry stylists to complete the shorter esthetician program. At 750 hours, this program is still excessive for a license to blow dry hair, but it’s a welcome step towards putting people to work.
HB486 by Rep. Annie Spell would bring Louisiana into the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact (PSYPACT). States in the PSYPACT program may offer telehealth services, meaning patients in Louisiana may seek treatment from a psychologist licensed in another state. Telehealth services expand access to care and shorten waiting times, which lead to better outcomes for patients.
Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) could see more paths to licensure if Rep. Beau Beaullieu’s HB548 is successful. This bill allows CPAs to pursue one of three educational pathways, plus one or two years of experience, to obtain a CPA license. It also makes it easier for CPAs licensed and in good standing in a different state to work in Louisiana.
In response to a shortage of plumbers in the state, Rep. Bryan Fontenot filed HB953. This bill would allow plumbers to be licensed either through the State Plumbing Board or the Louisiana State Licensing Board for Contractors. Rep. Fontenot testified during a House Commerce Committee hearing that the contractors board is a logical choice to bring more plumbers into the workforce because they license several affiliated construction trades. Louisiana is in the minority of states with a specific board that licenses plumbers; HB953 would bring the state in line with most other states.
Of course, we’ve written extensively about Rep. Mike Bayham’s HB266, which would make Louisiana the 38th state to eliminate or reform its laws and regulations related to natural hair braiding.
Last but certainly not least is SB266 by Sen. Thomas Pressly. This bill allows Louisiana courts to review statutory requirements for occupational licenses to ensure they’re narrowly tailored to fulfill legitimate fiduciary, public health, safety, or welfare objectives. This bill is a companion to earlier occupational licensing reform efforts like the Right to Earn a Living Act of 2022, and 2024’s Welcome Home Act, which was also sponsored by Sen. Pressly.
The Pelican Institute applauds these legislators for their efforts to remove barriers to work, increase competition, lower prices for consumers, and improve access to care.
