RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - A push to pare back the job categories that require a license from state government has been delayed.

Critics of occupational licensing had hoped a legislative committee would make recommendations to be considered during the upcoming short session, but this week the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee voted to continue gathering information rather making an immediate recommendation.

North Carolina licenses 154 job categories. By comparison, South Carolina licenses only 49.

On Tuesday, the committee heard from licensing board representatives who advocated for keeping rules in place.

State Sen. Andy Wells (R-Catawba) is championing the reform effort.