State regulation of occupational licensing is becoming the subject of nationwide debate. The issues being questioned and suggestions for their solutions include the following: (1) Is it necessary to regulate occupations, and, if it is, to what extent? Regulation is required only if its need is well-documented, and it should be kept to the minimum amount necessary to do the job. (2) Should the purpose of regulation be to permit all qualified applicants to practice, or should it be to control and limit the number of practitioners? Licensure requirements should be job-related, not discriminatory. (3) Should reciprocity be granted to qualified nonresidents of a state? Fair and reasonable access to licensing should be provided to nonresidents. (4) What group should be responsible for administering the regulations, how should its accountability be insured, and how much autonomy should it have? Boards should be instituted only if absolutely necessary, their membership should include lay persons to protect consumer interests, and their decisions should be subject to review. (5) How should the economic interests of the public be protected? Legislation should be enacted to permit professions to advertise and engage in competitive bidding, and the use of paraprofessionals and new technology should be reviewed by legislators. (6) How should continued competency be demonstrated by practitioners? Boards should vigorously enforce disciplinary and competency standards and employ internalized self-controls. (ELG)