Licensing Reform Opponents Say Unlicensed Barbers Would Be as Dangerous as Unlicensed Chefs. Chefs Aren't Licensed.
Texas barbers and cosmetologists turn to fearmongering.
Occupational Licensing
Bipartisan Bill Would Stop States From Denying Occupational Licenses Due to Student Loan Debt
New proposal from Sen. Marco Rubio and Sen. Elizabeth Warren would stop states from using the dumbest of all reasons to keep someone out of work.
Arizona Could Become the First State to Recognize Occupational Licenses From Other States
Licensing laws tend to lock workers in place, but Gov. Doug Ducey says it's time to stop that foolishness.
'Human Trafficking' Used as Excuse to Try to Destroy Nail Salon Jobs in Connecticut
Occupational licensing programs deprive people of livelihoods and often don't improve public health.
The 7 Most Insane Licensing Proposals of 2019 (So Far)
State lawmakers target pet groomers, drain cleaners, interior designers, pecan buyers, athletic trainers, antler dealers, and....art therapists?
Two Governors Kick Off 2019 With Big Occupational Licensing Reforms
A new law in Ohio and an executive order in Idaho require state lawmakers to take a more active role in overseeing occupational licensing boards.
Judge Confirms: Oregon Engineer Has a First Amendment Right to Call Himself an Engineer
Even if the Oregon Board of Examiners for Engineering and Land Surveying disagrees.
Rejoice, Angelenos! Your Bacon Dogs Will Soon Be Street Legal
After years of conflict and erratic enforcement, Los Angeles finally passes a formal plan to allow street vending.
There Are 200 California Inmates Fighting the Camp Fire. After Prison, They Likely Won't Be Allowed to Become Firefighters
California's licensing laws mean inmates can risk their lives for less than $2 per day, but can't earn a living after they get out of prison.
San Diego Police Creepily Forced Strippers to Pose for Photos. Now the City's Paying $1.5 Million.
A city ordinance let officers harass women as part of a licensing inspection process. A judge ruled it unconstitutional.
Texas Says 'Pickles' Only Come From Cucumbers. So This Couple's Farm Went Out of Business.
Anita and Jim McHaney are suing to overturn "preposterous" regulations on cottage food production.
Florida Lawmakers Deaf to the Needs of Hearing Aid Users
Florida says "hearing aid specialists" must pass multiple tests and be certified to conduct a full audiological exam, essentially quizzing them on skills and tech dating back to the 1950s.
Sex Trafficking in San Diego Massage Parlors Blamed on U.S. Military
But the real problem here isn't human-trafficking troops, it's regulators raising crime panic.
California Finally Legalizes Street Vending
The Trump administration's deportation push finally forced the Golden State to stop criminalizing everything.
New Jersey's Attacks on Unlicensed Movers Hurt Entrepreneurs and Consumers
Once again, government would best serve the public by just getting out of the way.
As Prisoners, They Can Help Fight California's Huge Wildfires. As Free People, They're Banned From Being Firefighters
California's licensing laws make it almost impossible for individuals with criminal records to become professional firefighters.
District Court Strikes Down Licenses for Tour Guides in Charleston
Prospective tour guides won't have to cough up nearly $100 and study for weeks to talk about their city anymore.
N.Y. Fair Vendors Have Nearby 7-Year-Old's Porch Lemonade Stand Shut Down
When life hands you lemons, call the health department to complain.
More and More of What We Do Depends on Government Permission
The granting or withholding of that approval is a powerful lever over our lives.
How Elected Libertarians Are Making the World More Free
From occupational licensing reform to legalizing beer-drinking on stage, elected Libertarians are doing some pretty interesting things
Abolish Mandatory License for Shampooing Hair? California Lawmakers Will Consider It.
Unfortunately, California's Sunset Review process rarely leads to the sunset of anything.
Labor Department Launches New Licensing Tool for Military Spouses
It's no substitute for abolishing unnecessary licenses, but the effort to ease the burden on military families should call attention to this issue.
800 Lactation Consultants Could Lose Jobs Under New Georgia Licensing Law
Lactation consultants are the newest victims of burdensome occupational licensing laws in Georgia. Mary Jackson and the Institute for Justice are fighting back.
Pennsylvania's Governor Calls for Abolishing 13 Occupational Licenses
Does Pennsylvania need to license barbers? How about "campsite membership salespersons"? Gov. Tom Wolf says no.
Marco Rubio Admits 'I Was Wrong' About Occupational Licensing. Now, He's Pushing Reforms.
Rubio and Elizabeth Warren are teaming up to stop states from restricting occupational licenses for people with unpaid student loan debt.
Bureaucrats Shut Down Your Kids' Lemonade Stands? Country Time Will Pay the Fines.
A summer promotion will cover fines and fees when your local code enforcers come calling.
Occupational Licensing Reform Is Bipartisan. California Didn't Get the Message.
The bill would have prohibited licensing boards from denying a license solely because an applicant had unpaid student loans or a criminal record.
Start-Ups Make Cheap Alternative to Braces, Dental Trade Groups Cry for Regulation
"This is a disruptive innovation, which is why you're seeing protectionist policies being put into action."
Florists Just Killed Louisiana's Effort at Eliminating Florist Licenses
It's the only state to require the nonsensical license, and its state senators just voted to keep it that way.
Getting Crony Capitalism Half Right
The solution to government interference isn't more of it.
25 Years of Experience in Child Care? Get a Degree or Lose Your Job, Says D.C.
A new lawsuit challenges a regulation that would take jobs away from capable day care workers, drive up costs, and limit access to early childhood education.
Tennessee Decides It's Not Actually Dangerous for a Cosmetologist to Do House Calls
A salon owner complained about "highly disturbing" competition from an app, and the state cosmetology board threatened fines. That won't happen anymore.
Nebraska Just Passed a Major Occupational Licensing Reform Measure. Here's Why It Matters.
Libertarian state Sen. Laura Ebke's bill triggers a review of state licensing laws, opens more opportunities for individuals with criminal histories.
Michigan Requires More Training for Makeup Artists Than Car Mechanics
And that's just one of many oddities in the state's licensing laws.
Displaced by Hurricane Maria, Fully Trained Massage Therapists Can't Work Because They Lack Licenses
Blocked from jobs because they lack occupational licenses, they're turning to welfare instead.
Worried About Economic Inequality? Get Rid of Occupational Licensing
State licensing laws for low-income professions limit access to jobs and restrict mobility for those who have them. That's a recipe for economic inequality.
Libertarian State Senator Wants to Make it Easier for People With Criminal Records (And Everyone Else) to Work
Laura Ebke's attempt to rationalize Nebraska's occupational licensing laws gets praised in The Wall Street Journal.
Reason Readers and Ajit Pai Helped Memphis Barber Pay His Absurd Licensing Fine
But sadly Elias Zarate is no closer to being a barber, because he still doesn't have a high school diploma. And, yes, that matters for some reason.
Louisiana Is the Only State to License Florists. Gov. Edwards Says It Should Stop.
Justice for Sandy Meadows.
Fearful Frenzy in a World of Unlikely Doom
These days, death lurks behind gas pumps, inside water bottles, and under throw pillows.
Cancer Survivor Fined $2,260 for Providing Rides to Hospital Patients
Hospital describes her services as "invaluable."
Massachusetts Salon Owner Says He Wants to Hire More Workers. Licensing Is the Reason He Can't.
Even entry-level jobs that allow someone to test out the profession have to be filled by licensed professionals.
Even in Health Care, Immigrants Do Jobs Americans Won't
If we want to solve the doctor shortage, we should import more foreign physicians.
Tennessee Bill Would Make It Easier for Ex-Convicts to Get Jobs
Lawmakers are right to seek occupational licensing reform.
