Reason.com - Free Minds and Free Markets
Reason logo Reason logo
  • Latest
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Subscribe
    • Crossword
  • Video
    • Reason TV
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • Free Media
    • The Reason Interview
  • Podcasts
    • All Shows
    • The Reason Roundtable
    • The Reason Interview With Nick Gillespie
    • Freed Up
    • The Soho Forum Debates
  • Volokh
  • Newsletters
  • Donate
    • Donate Online
    • Ways To Give To Reason Foundation
    • Torchbearer Society
    • Planned Giving
  • Subscribe
    • Reason Plus Subscription
    • Print Subscription
    • Gift Subscriptions
    • Subscriber Support

Log In

Create new account

Occupational Licensing

Why Do So Many Jobs Require a License?

Becoming a taxidermist or hair braider shouldn't involve costly hurdles.

Andrew Heaton | 8.22.2025 10:00 AM

Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests
HD Download

Around 20 percent of American workers must hold a professional license to do their job. Why? 

Andrew Heaton has an answer. And it's infuriating.

NEXT: Why Does the Government Run Air Traffic Control?

Andrew Heaton is a producer at Reason. He is the author of, most recently, Tribalism Is Dumb: Where It Came From, How It Got so Bad, and What To Do About It.

Occupational LicensingComedyProtectionismJobsCompetitionRegulationGovernment
Share on FacebookShare on XShare on RedditShare by emailPrint friendly versionCopy page URL Add Reason to Google
Media Contact & Reprint Requests

Show Comments (33)

Latest

NYC Law Could Force Uber and Lyft to Keep Dangerous Drivers on the Road

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 9.5.2026 7:00 AM

The Iraq War Cheerleaders Were Wrong. They're Wrong About Iran Too.

Matthew Petti | From the October 2026 issue

A Federal Indictment Charges an ICE Officer With Lying About a Shooting That DHS Eagerly Defended

Jacob Sullum | 9.4.2026 5:00 PM

Texas Terrorism Law Chills Speech for Muslim Group

Ryan Curtis | 9.4.2026 4:25 PM

The Right to Trial is Vanishing. Could Bolder Juries Save It?

C.J. Ciaramella | 9.4.2026 4:10 PM

Recommended

  • About
  • Browse Topics
  • Events
  • Staff
  • Jobs
  • Donate
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • Media
  • Amazon
Reason Facebook@reason on XReason InstagramReason TikTokReason YoutubeApple PodcastsReason on FlipboardReason RSS Add Reason to Google

© 2026 Reason Foundation | Accessibility | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Reason's July 4 Special!

For America's 250th, Get 2 Years of Reason for $17.76

Celebrate your independence with a subscription to Reason magazine, your most trusted source of honest, insightful news and analysis.

Subscribe to Reason