Will you need to be licensed to be a graphic designer?

Answer 1

Technically, no. There isn't a graphic design license like there is, say, a medical license. However, you will have a really hard time getting a job without a degree, whether it is an Associate's degree or a B.A., unless you are incredibly creative and awesome. You need to learn the things that are taught in classes at college for graphic design to understand the business and technical aspects better, rather than just the creative aspect of graphic design. Anybody can be creative.

Of course, having a B.A. may look better than having an Associate's degree. A lot of training will also occur on the job. Lots of agencies and in-house agencies will spend quite a bit of time training new employees, not necessarily on how to design, but how to do things the way they are done at that particular agency.

It also helps a lot if you are Adobe certified. Adobe offers training specific to their products and you can take individual classes on a single product or a combination. You will have to study, demonstrate your knowledge, and complete an exam in order to be certified. It's not necessary but it certainly looks good on a resume.

You could always just be a freelance graphic designer. It is sometimes more difficult to get your name out there without a prestigious agency (or a company of an in-house agency) backing you. Doing freelance doesn't require any certification, but like was mentioned before, it will be a lot more difficult for you without the educational background. Have worked as a Graphic Designer for 20 years both in Europe and the USA and have never heard of anybody needing a license to work as a Graphic Designer. To get specific jobs you might need to have certain degrees or diplomas both there is no licensing involved.

Answer 2

None. If you want to get a job at a Madison Avenue ad agency you'll need a degree in graphic design, but if you want to work at a small agency or freelance you don't need anything but just to know how to do it.