Texans Bound by Occupational Licensing Rules

Despite its reputation, the state ranks among the more control-freaky when it comes to licensing

Texas has earned a reputation nationwide as a state with a low regulatory climate where any business can flourish, but don't tell that to Tod Pendergrass and Dana McMichael of Austin.

They have waged a fight for seven years against the Texas Supreme Court for its regulation of the industry of about 3,500 people in Texas who serve court papers. Texas is one of nine states that require state regulation, and the only one that did so by state Supreme Court edict, according to the National Association of Professional Process Servers.