R Sheet on Georgia Suspension of Occupational Licenses for Student Loan Defaults

Thousands of Georgians struggle with student-loan debt.

Georgia law permits boards to strip individuals of their professional licenses for falling behind on student loans.

This power creates poverty, harms families, hinders workers’ abilities to repay debts and fails to reliably deter defaults.

Moreover, licensure suspensions are unnecessary because other, less harmful debt-collection tools are available.

Georgia should repeal this power like other states have already done.