A lobbyist is a professional who works to influence public policy on behalf of one or more organizations.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to become a lobbyist and how you can earn your certification after completing an education program that includes coursework, hands-on experience, and passing a certification exam.
Who Is A Lobbyist?
A lobbyist works to influence government policy on behalf of a special interest or a group of people. Lobbyists are paid by an organization or company to represent their interests in government.
Lobbyists can be found on different sides of the political spectrum: some work for companies and others work for unions, non-profit organizations, and trade associations. They can also serve as consultants or advisers and act as public relations representatives for politicians and other elected officials.
Practical Procedures To Become A Lobbyist
There are practical procedures to become a Lobbyist. These procedures are explained below:
1. Pursue Higher Education
The first step to becoming a lobbyist is to pursue higher education. While you can take many different routes, earning a bachelor’s degree in politics or public administration is the most common route for most people.
This will give you an in-depth understanding of how government works and how different branches interact with one another.
It also helps prepare you for future jobs where you might have to work closely with elected officials or other government officials on issues that affect them directly.
The next step after earning your undergraduate degree is getting a graduate degree in law school, if possible. Otherwise, look into attending law schools that offer lobbying and political strategy classes, like Harvard Law School.
2. Join A Trade Organization Or Professional Group
Joining a professional association is among the best ways to become a lobbyist. Professional associations are groups of people who share similar interests and goals, such as lawyers, doctors, and real estate agents.
If you’re interested in working with other professionals in your field, consider joining an organization that provides education and networking opportunities.
Trade associations represent specific industries or professions (such as the American Chemistry Council). They provide educational courses for members on topics such as lobbying strategy or ethics codes so they can better understand how their industry works.
Trade associations also often have political action committees (PACs) dedicated solely to advocating for legislation at both state and federal levels; these PACs may be able to help fund candidates who support their cause.
Professional societies typically focus more on guiding advocacy; however, valuable information may still be available if it aligns with what you want to get out of life as a lobbyist.
For example, The American Society Of Association Executives offers guidelines on how organizations should operate within their own communities while also taking into account external stakeholders’ needs.
3. Gain Work Experience
After you’ve completed the first two steps, it’s time to start gaining work experience. This can come in many forms:
- Volunteering at an organization that has a relationship with your future client base or industry. If you’re interested in government relations and lobbying, this might be where you’ll want to start looking.
- Taking classes related to your interest area (law school students might want to take some legal writing classes).
- Getting a job as an intern for someone who does similar work in the field (a law firm could hire an intern who wants to become a lawyer).
4. Get Certified By The ALA
Once you’ve completed your state’s registration requirements, it’s time to apply for ALA certification. The American Lobbying Association (ALA) is an organization that certifies lobbyists and provides professional training on lobbying practices.
While it is voluntary to become certified, you will find it helpful if you have a government or public relations background because this course covers many aspects of the industry. There are several ways to earn this credential:
- Complete an online course offered by the ALA;
- Pass an exam administered by ABA or other organizations that offer certifications in lobbying;
- Earn credits through previous work experience related to lobbying (for example, working for a law firm that does government relations).
Job Description Of A Lobbyist
A lobbyist works on behalf of a client to influence legislation, regulation, and policy. Lobbying is an important part of the political process in which individuals and groups use various tactics to build support for their beliefs and positions.
The work of lobbyists can include everything from advocating for legislation and policies, building relationships with government officials, and communicating directly with the public.
The job description of a lobbyist varies depending on the industry but generally includes the following:
- Researching issues that affect their clients’ interests;
- Communicating with decision-makers (i.e., legislators or regulators); and/or
- Providing advice to businesses about how they should approach lawmakers or regulators with regard to proposed regulations affecting those businesses’ industries or practices.
Skills Of A Lobbyist
A good lobbyist can speak effectively and persuasively and communicate with people of different backgrounds, whether they’re in government or the private sector.
Lobbyists also need strong research skills because they often have to find out information about their clients’ issues before they meet with them.
To become a lobbyist you’ll need:
- Communication skills—Lobbyists must have the ability to write clearly and concisely so that their statements make sense to others and don’t sound promotional or sales (naturally). They also need effective speaking techniques so their words come across as authentic rather than deceitful.
- Organizational ability—Many lobbyists work on committees where there may not be enough staff members available for certain tasks; this means that being able to organize all relevant materials into an organized folder makes life easier for everyone involved.
Educational Requirements Of A Lobbyist
When it comes to education, the requirements for becoming a lobbyist vary depending on what kind of Lobbyist you want to be. For example:
- Bachelor’s degree or higher.
- Master’s degree or higher.
- JD or MD (Juris Doctor) or Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) in law, public policy, or another relevant field. If you’re interested in practicing law while lobbying on their behalf, then this may be a suitable option for you.
Lobbyist Certifications
Lobbyist certification is a voluntary program that requires you to complete an educational and practical examination.
The American Lobbying Association (ALA) administers the certification program, which has more than 1,000 members and is open to all professional lobbyists who want to advance their careers in lobbying.
There are no prerequisites or requirements before applying for ALA certification. However, individuals must be at least 18 years old, not currently registered as a lobbyist or law firm associate with any other organization that requires ALA membership (such as ABA), and have at least three years of experience working on Capitol Hill.
Lobbyist Licensing
As a lobbyist, you will need to be licensed. Licensing is the process by which state governments grant access to the profession and protect against fraud and abuse.
The first step in acquiring a license is completing an application form that includes information about your education and experience as well as other factors such as criminal records or credit issues. You can get helpful information on how to get started with this process here: https://www.lobbyistsforamerica.org/getting-a-license/.
Once you’ve completed your application, it’s time for you to wait while they review it before making any decisions about whether or not they’ll issue their approval letter.
This could take anywhere from two weeks up to two years, depending upon how busy they are at any given time! Once approved by state authorities (or denied) comes the fun part.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How Much Do Lobbyists Make The UK?
Lobbying is a well-paid profession with the potential to earn a good salary. The median salary for a lobbyist in the UK is £40,000, but this can vary depending on your experience and the sector you work in.
2. Is It Hard To Get A Job As A Lobbyist?
A lobbyist does not need any certification, and the industry is easy to enter with various lobbyist education options.
3. How Long Does It Take To Become A Lobbyist?
4-6 years.
4. Do You Need A Law Degree To Be A Lobbyist?
No certification requirements exist, but lobbyists must register with the state and federal governments. Most lobbyists have a university degree.
5. What Is The Average Age Of A Lobbyist?
40+ years old.
6. Are Lobbyists Well Educated?
Almost all lobbyists have college degrees, and many have graduate degrees.
7. Are Lobbyists Paid Well?
The average Lobbyist in the US makes $111,980. The average bonus for a Lobbyist is $4,189, which represents 4% of their salary, with 95% of people reporting that they get a bonus each year.
8. Is Lobbying A Good Career?
A career in lobbying is rewarding because lobbyists are individuals who try to influence policy decisions.
9. Do Lobbyist Pay Taxes?
For lobbyists, amounts reported to the public disclosure commission (PDC) on Form L2 as compensation are subject to the B&O tax.
10. What Is Illegal In Lobbying?
Lobbyists and lobbying firms are prevented from giving a gift totaling more than $10 per calendar month to a government, legislative, or agency official if that lobbying firm is registered to lobby a government agency for which the official works.
Conclusion
The world of lobbying is a challenging one, and it can be difficult to navigate. But if you have the right education and experience, you’re on your way to becoming a successful lobbyist.
The first step is finding out what kind of person you are and then pursuing higher education as soon as possible. You can drop your questions in the comments section.