Press Release  Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Announces New Commissioner of Division of Occupational Licensure

Boston — Today, Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation Undersecretary Layla D’Emilia announced the appointment of Sarah R. Wilkinson as Commissioner of the Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), which regulates several boards of professional licensure in Massachusetts.  

"Commissioner Wilkinson's deep knowledge of the Division of Occupational Licensure operations and extensive experience in both the public and private sectors make her the ideal candidate to lead the agency," said Undersecretary D’Emilia. "With her leadership, the DOL will continue to play an active role in public safety oversight while fostering the state’s workforce pipeline and economic development strategies.” 

Wilkinson comes to the role after five years at the DOL serving in senior management positions within the agency, including as Assistant Chief of Investigations, Chief of Elevator Inspections and, for the past two years, the dual roles of Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety and Operations and Chief of Elevators. Her appointment follows a career in law, public service, and public safety. She was a certified law enforcement officer in three states, where she served on the front lines as a patrol officer, and an attorney who operated her own successful law office after serving in executive legal and management capacities at national consulting firms. Wilkinson is a graduate of Suffolk University Law School and Dartmouth College. 

"The Division of Occupational Licensure is unique in that it’s a consumer protection agency that plays a role in the state’s economic development efforts by leveling the playing field for businesses and building a pipeline of talented and licensed workers for industries across the economy,” said Commissioner Wilkinson. “I am excited to take on the role of Commissioner and continue the work that this agency does, day in and day out, to ensure public safety and integrity in our licensed professions through sound regulatory oversight.” 

The DOL is an agency within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development’s Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, which is one of the office’s recently announced three pillars of economic development, along with economic foundations and economic strategies. DOL is responsible for the oversight of 26 boards of professional registration and licensure, the Office of Public Safety and Inspections, and the Office of Private Occupational School Education. Collectively, DOL boards, commissions and programs license and regulate more than 500,000 individuals, businesses, and schools that engage in over 100 trades and professions in Massachusetts.  

For more information about DOL, visit www.mass.gov/orgs/division-of-occupational-licensure. 

###