Institute For Justice On The Scam Of Occupational Licensing
IJ is a wonderful civil liberties-defending organization -- one of two, with theFIRE.org, that is near and dear to me.
They have just gone after occupational licensing -- requiring a person to have the government's permission to pursue their chosen occupation.
Now, I don't want hospitals hiring doctors who haven't been tested and certified in some way, but are you somehow imperiled if your interior decorator doesn't have the government's blessing?
There's a post about this up at Cato by Trevor Burns, about the IJ's 200-page, comprehensive study on occupational licensing in the USA. Click on the IJ link -- you can skim the thing and be easily outraged. I was.
Burns writes:
There are significant real-world effects to these laws. In a world of nine percent unemployment, barriers to work should be the last thing we want, particularly if those barriers do not make us safer or better off. The study found that the average license forces would-be workers to pay an average of $209 in fees, take one exam, and complete nine months of training. In the four places in which they are licensed (three states and DC), interior designers have the highest barriers to entry, apparently to save us from shag carpeting and misuses of the Pottery Barn. In the face of such requirements, particularly the months of training, it's easy to see how someone can be discouraged from even looking for a job.
The IJ's video:
OK... a massage therapist can seriously fuck you up if they don't know what they're doing.
But makes sense in other cases, like shampooers.
NicoleK at May 10, 2012 2:45 AM
Some of the cases on the IJ website are astounding in their blatant nepotism.
* You can't sell caskets in Louisiana unless you are a licensed funeral director.
* You can't repair a computer (even for free) in Texas unless you have a Private Investigator's license. Oh, and the person whose computer you fixed (without said license) is also liable.
Perhaps we should push to require occupational licenses for politicians and lawmakers.
DrCos at May 10, 2012 3:48 AM
Phooie!
It's all about the local governments grabbing fee money. They're so strapped, you know!
davnel at May 10, 2012 4:49 AM
I don't think it was mentioned: Louisiana requires you have to go through months of training and an exam to arrange flowers. WTF?
How hard is it to stick flowers in a vase, throw in some crushed aspirin and water?
I can see requiring some training required for barbers and hair dressers -- but that could be OJT or a several week course. The chemicals, etc. can cause damage to the hair and scalp and lead to embarrassment for the customer. But even the requirements should limited.
Jim P. at May 10, 2012 5:45 AM
Interior design also requires knowledge of construction and architecture. So, yes, they need to have a degree. Says the girl who strongly considered the career at some point.
deathbysnoosnoo at May 10, 2012 8:36 AM
Some are ridiculous, some are not.
From talking with my barber years ago, the license requirement is alot about showing you know what to do when something goes wrong. Chemicals start to burn, you hit a major artery while shaving the guy etc. Oh, and keeping stuff sanitary.
As DeathBySnooSnoo said, Interior Design requires knowledge beyond just placing furniture in a pleasing way. Knowing how things will react in an earthquake (do those shelves need to be hooked to the wall). There is another job where you only advise people on what you think would look good. May friend's wife tried her hand at that and found people weren't willing to pay much.
The Former Banker at May 10, 2012 9:12 AM
Amy Alkon
http://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2012/05/10/ij.html#comment-3183583">comment from The Former BankerChemicals start to burn, you hit a major artery while shaving the guy etc.
People used to learn about these things on the job. Why can't they still.
Amy Alkon
at May 10, 2012 10:17 AM
"People used to learn about these things on the job. Why can't they still."
Because the customers can't always carry insurance, especially from Colt: News at ~4:10
Radwaste at May 10, 2012 6:17 PM
People used to learn about these things on the job. Why can't they still.
From what I understand, they basically do. Basically one works under the supervision of a licensed barber for so long. Then you take a state test which (according to my barber) has little to do with cutting hair...it is all about keeping your equipment clean, what to do in various emergencies.
I just did a little bit of googling and it appears like the licensing requirements started about the same time lots more chemicals started being used...though nothing says that out right.
The Former Banker at May 10, 2012 7:16 PM
Licensing and certification are no guarantee you'll get the right work performed.
I shoe horses for the ladies at the riding stables. I'm not required to have any certification. It's available through the trade orgs, but nobody has turned me down for not being certified.
I've seen jobs done by many trade-certified horseshoers, and I wouldn't let those guys shoe my horse if they paid me!
jefe at May 11, 2012 5:00 PM
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