Reserved State Powers:

Some powers belong to the states.

These are things that the federal government cannot do. The states can do these things because the Constitution does not say they cannot.

For example, states can give out marriage licenses and driver's licenses.

Prohibited State Powers:
States also have prohibited powers.

Prohibited powers are specific powers, listed in the Constitution, that are denied at the state level and can only occur at the federal level.

An example of a prohibited power is declaring war. States cannot declare war on another country. The power to declare war is listed in the Constitution as a power only the federal government has.

Concurrent Powers:
States also have concurrent powers.

Concurrent powers are the powers shared between the federal and the state governments.

An example of a concurrent power is establishing highways. The power to establish highways is shared between the federal and state levels.