This resource provides a national comparison of state policies and programs related to statewide apprenticeships. It focuses on state-level policies regarding apprenticeships, apprenticeship registration agencies, statewide programs, coordinating entities, and intentional connections between apprenticeships and postsecondary education. This 50-State Comparison does not include information on youth apprenticeships and industry-specific apprenticeships. Click here to view individual state profiles.
50-State Comparison: All data points for all states
- Does the state have statute or regulation on apprenticeships?
- What is the registration agency for apprenticeships in the state?
- Is there a statewide program?
- What entity coordinates the statewide program?
- Is there a required instructional connection between postsecondary education and apprenticeships?
State Statute or Regulation on Apprenticeships
At least 36 states have a state-level policy addressing apprenticeships. The policy ranges from establishing rules for the registration of an apprenticeship to requirements that must be met by businesses and participating apprentices. In states that do not have a state-level policy, it is often the case that apprenticeships are governed through federal policy or industry-specific state-level policy. Where state statute, regulation or a statewide program does not exist, apprenticeship opportunities are available in every state.
Registration Agency
Twenty-five states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have state-level registration; and 25 states use the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeships to register apprenticeships. State registration processes often follow the federal registration guidelines because of the federal process for allowing registration waivers to states.
Statewide Program and Coordinating Entity
For this analysis, statewide programs are centralized apprenticeship programs that are coordinated by a single state entity. All states have apprenticeships; however, at least 24 have coordinated, centralized apprenticeship programs. Often the coordinating agency is a division of the department of labor or an entity within the postsecondary education system. In many instances where a statewide program does not exist, state-level agencies provide an apprenticeship resource website.
Required Instructional Connection Between Postsecondary Education and Apprenticeships
All apprenticeships are required to have an instructional component in addition to on-the-job training. The instructional component can be provided by a range of entities, including community or technical colleges, four-year institutions, and private or industry-based training centers. Despite the option for instruction to take place at a postsecondary institution, there are a limited number of states that require the instruction to take place at a postsecondary institution.
Related Resources
State Information Request: Workforce Development Boards
Summary of Resources: Workforce Development
