Missouri is becoming a national leader on occupational licensing reforms Over the last few years, Missouri has cleared the way for more people in the state to find work [1] and has also lowered barriers of those moving into its towns and cities to pursue employment. This change was a long time coming. Excessively burdensome occupational licensing laws can be extremely detrimental to small business owners, military spouses, and a community and economy in general. A few sharp elected officials in Missouri — those like Rep. Derek Grier [2] and Gov. Mike Parson — took note of this, and just last year successfully enacted legislation implementing universal licensing recognition in the state.