Which Professional License Is the Hardest to Earn?

When you hear the phrase hardest license, you might picture long study nights, sky‑high fees, or a never‑ending series of practical exams. But not all licenses are created equal - some require years of schooling, grueling physical tests, and pass‑rates that hover in the single digits. This article breaks down the toughest professional licenses on the market, explains why they’re so demanding, and gives you a realistic roadmap if you ever decide to chase one.

TL;DR - Quick Take

• Medical license - ≥ 7 years of education, ~95hours of exam, pass rate ~4‑5% on first try.
• Airline pilot license (ATPL) - 1500+ flight hours, dozens of written exams, strict medical standards.
• Bar exam (law license) - 2‑year JD, two‑day multi‑state exam, pass rate 55‑65% in most states.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license - 150 credit hours, four-part exam, pass rate ~50%.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation - three levels, 300+ study hours per level, cumulative pass rate ~44%.

Why Some Licenses Feel Impossible

At the heart of any tough license are three common factors: depth of knowledge required, intensity of practical testing, and the cost of both time and money. For example, a Medical license combines eight years of university, a multi‑step board exam, and a residency that can stretch another seven years. Contrast that with a basic Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), which may take a few weeks of classroom time and a single skills test.

Each hard license also carries a high attrition rate. The United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step1 alone sees only about 4% of first‑time takers scoring in the top 1% needed for competitive residencies. The pilot world faces a similar attrition curve: the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) notes that only roughly 10% of candidates who start the Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL) track actually finish.

Top Five Hardest Licenses - Deep Dive

1. Medical License (MD/DO)

The pathway to a medical license in North America looks like this:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree (typically 4years) with 90‑120 pre‑medical credits.
2. Pass the MCAT and gain admission to medical school (4years).
3. Complete the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step1, Step2 CK, and Step2 CS.
4. Finish a residency program (3‑7years depending on specialty).
5. Pass USMLE Step3 and obtain state medical board certification.

Key stats: average total cost $250,000‑$300,000, average study time for the three USMLE steps 1,500hours, and a first‑time pass rate of 4‑5% for Step1. The sheer volume of memorization, coupled with high‑stakes clinical skill assessments, makes this license a clear contender for the hardest.

2. Airline Transport Pilot License (ATPL)

Becoming an airline‑captain isn’t just about logging flight hours; you must also clear a rigorous written and practical battery set by the FAA (or equivalent global authority). The typical ATPL roadmap includes:

• Private Pilot License (PPL) - minimum 40 flight hours.
• Instrument Rating - ~40‑50 simulated instrument hours.
• Commercial Pilot License (CPL) - 250 total flight hours.
• Multi‑Engine Rating - 20‑30 hours.
• Accumulating 1500 total flight hours (including 500 cross‑country, 100 night, and 75 instrument hours).
• Pass the FAA ATP Knowledge Test (100 multiple‑choice questions) and the ATP Practical Test (check‑ride).

Physical fitness is non‑negotiable: a Class1 medical certificate must be renewed every six months for pilots over 40. The cost to reach ATPL can exceed $120,000, and the failure rate for the knowledge test hovers around 30%.

3. Bar Exam (Law License)

In the United States, a law license is granted after passing a state’s bar exam, which typically consists of:

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree (4years).
2. Complete a Juris Doctor (JD) program at an ABA‑accredited law school (3years).
3. Pass the Multistate Bar Examination (MBE) - 200 multiple‑choice questions.
4. Complete state‑specific essays, performance tests, and a professional responsibility section.
5. Undergo a character and fitness review.

The exam spans two days and is notorious for its breadth. National average pass rates fluctuate between 55% and 75% depending on the state, with New York and California often reporting lower rates due to high applicant volume. Tuition for a JD averages $30,000‑$55,000 per year, making the total financial commitment upwards of $150,000.

4. Certified Public Accountant (CPA) License

Accountants need a CPA to offer audit and attestation services. The licensing journey includes:

• 150 semester hours of college education (often a master’s degree).
• Pass the Uniform CPA Examination - four sections (Auditing & Attestation, Business Environment & Concepts, Financial Accounting & Reporting, Regulation).
• Obtain a specific amount of work experience (generally 1‑2years under a licensed CPA).
• Meet the state’s ethics requirement.

Each exam section lasts four hours; candidates typically need 300‑350 total study hours. First‑time pass rates average 45‑55% per section, and the cumulative cost (education + exam fees) can top $12,000.

5. Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Designation

Although not a government‑issued license, the CFA charter is widely viewed as a professional credential requiring exceptional dedication. The program consists of three levels, each with its own six‑hour exam. Candidates must also have four years of qualified work experience.

• LevelI - focuses on ethics, quantitative methods, and financial reporting.
• LevelII - dives into asset valuation.
• LevelIII - emphasizes portfolio management and wealth planning.

The average candidate spends 300+ hours preparing for each level, and the cumulative pass rate for all three levels is roughly 44%. Fees for all three exams, plus enrollment, exceed $4,000.

Comparing Difficulty: A Quick Reference Table

How to Tackle a Hard License If You’re Determined

Even the toughest credentials are not impossible if you break them down into manageable steps. Here’s a proven framework that works across the board:

1. Map the entire pathway. Write down every education requirement, exam, and practical hour count. Visual timelines help you see bottlenecks early.
2. Budget time and money upfront. Use the cost columns in the table above to create a realistic financial plan. Many candidates rely on scholarships, employer sponsorships, or income‑share agreements.
3. Adopt a spaced‑repetition study system. Tools like Anki or Quizlet boost retention, especially for fact‑heavy exams like the USMLE or CFA.
4. Find a mentor. Someone who’s already cleared the hurdle can offer shortcuts, study resources, and emotional support.
5. Simulate the exam environment. Full‑length practice tests under timed conditions reduce anxiety and highlight weak spots.
6. Prioritize health. Sleep, nutrition, and regular exercise are proven performance enhancers. Burnout is a leading cause of failure in long‑term tracks like medical school.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Procrastination due to “big picture” overwhelm. Chunk the timeline into 3‑month blocks and celebrate each milestone.
• Relying on a single study source. Mix textbooks, video lectures, and question banks to cover different learning styles.
• Neglecting practical skills. For pilots and doctors, hands‑on practice beats theory. Schedule simulation or clinical rotations early.
• Skipping the ethics component. Both the bar exam and CFA heavily weight professional conduct. Weak ethics scores instantly lower your overall result.
• Underestimating costs. Hidden expenses-flight simulator rentals, board exam fees, or mandatory background checks-can derail budgets.

Resources to Get Started

Below is a short list of reputable resources for each license type. All are free or low‑cost and widely used by candidates worldwide.

• Medical: USMLE‑World (question bank), Khan Academy Medicine, NBME practice exams.
• Pilot: FAA Airman Certification Standards, Gleim Aviation, FlightTraining.com simulator reviews.
• Bar: Barbri, Themis, National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) sample questions.
• CPA: Becker CPA Review, Wiley CPAexcel, AICPA’s sample tests.
• CFA: CFA Institute curriculum, SchweserNotes, AnalystPrep question bank.

Bottom Line

If you measure difficulty by years of schooling, cost, and pass‑rate, the medical license takes the top spot, closely followed by the airline pilot ATPL and the bar exam. Yet every “hardest license” shares a common thread: disciplined preparation, strategic planning, and a willingness to invest heavily in yourself. Decide which path aligns with your passion, then apply the framework above, and you’ll turn even the steepest climb into a reachable summit.