State Authorities

Authority Network America maintains a dedicated reference site for each of the 50 U.S. states. Each state authority domain provides comprehensive coverage of that state's government structure, licensing boards, regulatory agencies, county governments, and state-specific services.

The 50 state authority sites collectively cover more than 3,143 counties and thousands of municipal jurisdictions. Each site addresses the specific licensing requirements, regulatory frameworks, and government services relevant to residents and professionals operating in that state.

Northeast

The nine northeastern states span from Maine to Pennsylvania, encompassing some of the oldest state governments in the nation. State regulatory frameworks in this region tend toward stricter licensing requirements, particularly in construction trades and professional services.

• Connecticut State Authority — 8 counties, Hartford capital
• Maine State Authority — 16 counties, Augusta capital
• Massachusetts State Authority — 14 counties, Boston capital
• New Hampshire State Authority — 10 counties, Concord capital
• New Jersey State Authority — 21 counties, Trenton capital
• New York State Authority — 62 counties, Albany capital
• Pennsylvania State Authority — 67 counties, Harrisburg capital
• Rhode Island State Authority — 5 counties, Providence capital
• Vermont State Authority — 14 counties, Montpelier capital

Southeast

The twelve southeastern states cover a region with significant variation in regulatory approaches. Some states in this region operate under strong home-rule provisions, while others maintain more centralized state oversight of local government functions.

• Alabama State Authority — 67 counties, Montgomery capital
• Arkansas State Authority — 75 counties, Little Rock capital
• Florida State Authority — 67 counties, Tallahassee capital
• Georgia State Authority — 159 counties, Atlanta capital
• Kentucky State Authority — 120 counties, Frankfort capital
• Louisiana State Authority — 64 parishes, Baton Rouge capital
• Mississippi State Authority — 82 counties, Jackson capital
• North Carolina State Authority — 100 counties, Raleigh capital
• South Carolina State Authority — 46 counties, Columbia capital
• Tennessee State Authority — 95 counties, Nashville capital
• Virginia State Authority — 95 counties plus 38 independent cities, Richmond capital
• West Virginia State Authority — 55 counties, Charleston capital

Midwest

The twelve midwestern states cover the geographic and agricultural heartland of the country. State governments in this region often share reciprocal licensing agreements, particularly for trade professions.

• Illinois State Authority — 102 counties, Springfield capital
• Indiana State Authority — 92 counties, Indianapolis capital
• Iowa State Authority — 99 counties, Des Moines capital
• Kansas State Authority — 105 counties, Topeka capital
• Michigan State Authority — 83 counties, Lansing capital
• Minnesota State Authority — 87 counties, Saint Paul capital
• Missouri State Authority — 114 counties plus the City of St. Louis, Jefferson City capital
• Nebraska State Authority — 93 counties, Lincoln capital
• North Dakota State Authority — 53 counties, Bismarck capital
• Ohio State Authority — 88 counties, Columbus capital
• South Dakota State Authority — 66 counties, Pierre capital
• Wisconsin State Authority — 72 counties, Madison capital

Southwest

The four southwestern states share characteristics including rapid population growth, significant federal land holdings, and regulatory frameworks shaped by arid-climate considerations.

• Arizona State Authority — 15 counties, Phoenix capital
• New Mexico State Authority — 33 counties, Santa Fe capital
• Oklahoma State Authority — 77 counties, Oklahoma City capital
• Texas State Authority — 254 counties, Austin capital

West

The six western states encompass vast geographic areas with relatively sparse populations outside metropolitan centers. Federal land management plays an outsized role in governance, with agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service administering large portions of these states.

• Colorado State Authority — 64 counties, Denver capital
• Idaho State Authority — 44 counties, Boise capital
• Montana State Authority — 56 counties, Helena capital
• Nevada State Authority — 16 counties plus Carson City, Carson City capital
• Utah State Authority — 29 counties, Salt Lake City capital
• Wyoming State Authority — 23 counties, Cheyenne capital

Pacific

The five Pacific states include the nation's most populous state (California) and two non-contiguous states (Alaska and Hawaii). Regulatory frameworks in this region, particularly in California, frequently set precedents that influence national standards.

• Alaska State Authority — 30 boroughs and census areas, Juneau capital
• California State Authority — 58 counties, Sacramento capital
• Hawaii State Authority — 5 counties, Honolulu capital
• Oregon State Authority — 36 counties, Salem capital
• Washington State Authority — 39 counties, Olympia capital

County and Local Coverage

Each state authority site includes coverage of county-level government operations, including:

For states with strong home-rule provisions, individual municipalities may maintain additional regulatory requirements beyond those set at the state level. Each state authority site documents these variations where applicable.

References

• U.S. Census Bureau — State Government Directory — https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/gus.html
• National Association of Counties — County Explorer — https://www.naco.org/resources/counties-explorer
• National Conference of State Legislatures — https://www.ncsl.org/
• Council of State Governments — https://www.csg.org/
• National Association of Secretaries of State — https://www.nass.org/
• U.S. Census Bureau — 2020 Census of Governments — https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/cog.html