The March 2026 monthly data and the January 2026 data that were recently re-released by the Census Bureau are now available via IPUMS CPS. October 2025 data were not collected during the U.S. federal government shutdown.
- Codes
- Description
- Comparability
- Universe
- Availability
- Flags
- Questionnaire Text
- UnHarmonized Variables
Codes and Frequencies
Description
JOBCERT indicates whether a respondent's government-issued professional, state, or industry license was required for their job. Employed persons were asked about their current job or their main job if they had multiple jobs. Unemployed respondents who had worked in the past were asked about the job from which they were on layoff or the job at which they last worked.
Comparability
In 2015, this question was asked to respondents 16 and over who had a license or certificate that was required by their job in every interview (MISH 1-8). Beginning in 2016, these questions are asked only in the first and fifth interview (MISH 1 and 5).
This variable is comparable across available samples.
Universe
- Respondents age 16+ who have a professional certification or state or industry license and who are employed or who are unemployed but have previously worked
Availability
| Years | Jan | Feb | ASEC | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 – 2024 | X | X | - | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | X |
| 2025 | X | X | - | X | X | X | X | X | X | X | - | X | X |
| 2026 | X | X | - | X | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
