Occupational Licensing
How to Make Bar Exams Great Again
Bar exams should be abolished. But if that's not feasible, this modest proposal for exam reform should help restore them to their former glory!
Pennsylvania Opens Up to Workers From Other States
Gov. Tom Wolf just signed a bill to recognize occupational licenses obtained in different parts of the country.
How Oppressive Will Connecticut's New Nail Salon Occupational Licensing Be? Stay Tuned.
To state Rep. Jillian Gilchrest, “Raising women up” apparently means depriving them of employment opportunities.
New York Might License Elevator Mechanics to Solve a Public Safety Problem That Doesn't Exist
Those claiming that elevators are a public safety risk likely have ulterior motives.
Colorado's Jared Polis Is the Latest Governor to Embrace Licensing Reform
Polis vetoed licensing requirements for HOA managers, sports agents, and genetic counselors. That's not sitting well with some members of his own party.
The First Amendment Protects the Right to Work as a Tour Guide, Says Federal Judge
A Savannah, Georgia, law that required testing and licensing of tour guides is found unconstitutional.
Making It Easier for Military Spouses To Get Occupational Licenses Could Help All Workers
State-level licensing laws can make it nearly impossible for workers to move from place to place, and that's a particular problem for military spouses. This bipartisan proposal could be a step towards fixing it.
Oklahoma Just Passed A Major Licensing Reform for Individuals With Criminal Records
Gov. Kevin Stitt is expected to sign a bill removing so-called "good character" provisions from all Oklahoma's occupational licensing laws.
N.Y. Food Police Shut Down a 7-Year-Old's Lemonade Stand. This Bill Makes Sure They Can't Do It Again.
"Kids like Brendan Mulvaney are trying to give people sweet lemonade and learn some important business skills but the overzealous state bureaucrats just keep giving taxpayers lemons."
Arizona Is Close to Abolishing an Absurd Licensing Law Requiring 1,000 Hours of Training to Blow-Dry Hair
Another victory for licensing reform in the Grand Canyon State.
Joe Biden Is Right: Occupational Licensing Laws for Hairdressers Are 'Not Helping Workers'
If anything, he's understating how ridiculous they are.
Arizona Will Be First State to Recognize Out-of-State Occupational Licenses
"Arizonans who have recently moved here will be able to put their skills to work faster and without all the red tape," says Gov. Doug Ducey.
Why Do You Need a License To Blow Dry Hair? Arizona Gov. Ducey Fights the 'Bullies' in His State
When "somebody packs up that moving van in Chicago, Illinois, they don't lose their skills on the way to the state of Arizona," says Gov. Doug Ducey.
RIP Economist Alan Krueger, Whose Work Spurred Calls for Occupational Licensing Reform
Krueger's work included highlighting the breadth of licensing in American labor markers, and the economic costs of mandatory government permission slips.
Licensing Reform Opponents Say Unlicensed Barbers Would Be as Dangerous as Unlicensed Chefs. Chefs Aren't Licensed.
Texas barbers and cosmetologists turn to fearmongering.
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.