The Foreign Labor Certification Program provides assistance to U.S. businesses that must file for labor certification for foreign workers hired on a seasonal, peak load, intermittent, or permanent basis. This program determines, through a recruitment coordinated with the State Job Service, the availability of U.S. workers and the potential adverse effect on wages and working conditions that the admission of foreign workers might have on similarly employed U.S. workers. This process must be completed before businesses can obtain labor certification and apply to Immigration and Naturalization for foreign workers. Additional information and forms can be obtained by calling 410-767-2060 or visiting
http://dllr.state.md.us/employment/foreignlabor.htm . Employers who need to file temporary or seasonal applications for farm workers (H-2A visas) should contact the Maryland Job Service Rural Services Coordinator at 301-393-8218.
The Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing
The Department of Labor Licensing & Regulation’s Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing is responsible for licensing and regulating the activities of more than 175,000 individuals, corporations and partnerships. Twenty-three occupations and professions require licensing by the respective Board, including:
- architects
- the athletic commission
- barbers
- cosmetologists
- master electricians
- examining engineers
- professional engineers
- foresters
- heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration contractors
- home improvement
- certified interior designers
- landscape architects
- professional land surveyors
- pilots
- plumbers
- public accountants
- real estate
- secondhand precious metals objects dealers and pawnbrokers
- sports agents
- cemetery oversight
- health professions
For more information, visit http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/occprof/lawindex.htm or call 410-230-6601.
