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Blogger Giving Advice Resists State’s: Get a License

Good for him. I hope he sticks to his guns and tells the state where it can go.

"In the statement, the board said it had not harassed Mr. Cooksey or threatened to shut down his site. It said that it had never rendered a formal decision, and that its complaint was closed."

In other words, the state board was all muscle and testosterone until this guy fought back and filed suit. Typical ridiculous antics of government.

I sum, his lawyer is on the right path, state licensing does nothing more than restrict supply and increase costs to consumers.
 
I dont understand the issue. If someone is taking medical advice from a blog rather than a dr for a serious medical condition chances are they too stupid to make good choices whether this blog exists or not.
 
Good for him. I hope he sticks to his guns and tells the state where it can go.

"In the statement, the board said it had not harassed Mr. Cooksey or threatened to shut down his site. It said that it had never rendered a formal decision, and that its complaint was closed."

In other words, the state board was all muscle and testosterone until this guy fought back and filed suit. Typical ridiculous antics of government.

I sum, his lawyer is on the right path, state licensing does nothing more than restrict supply and increase costs to consumers.

In some areas that is true, yet do you REALLY want "Homey the Handyman" to be able to tie into the power grid after wiring your new addition with recycled lamp cord? I agree that certification of the person doing the work is a LAZY way out for the gov't, and much prefer gov't inspection (for a reasonable fee) to ensure code compliance. Using only words may still cause harm if the advice given is dangerous or useless (if a fee is charged for it). Example: I advertise on the web a "guaranteed cure for stuttering" in exchange for $50, in return I then Email you the suggested cure as "keep your mouth shut and never talk". ;-)
 
In some areas that is true, yet do you REALLY want "Homey the Handyman" to be able to tie into the power grid after wiring your new addition with recycled lamp cord? I agree that certification of the person doing the work is a LAZY way out for the gov't, and much prefer gov't inspection (for a reasonable fee) to ensure code compliance. Using only words may still cause harm if the advice given is dangerous or useless (if a fee is charged for it). Example: I advertise on the web a "guaranteed cure for stuttering" in exchange for $50, in return I then Email you the suggested cure as "keep your mouth shut and never talk". ;-)

I saw a small claims court case on TV some time ago where the EBay seller photoed the brochure of an Android phone also showing photos of several pages in the manual depicting the accessories. The ad read something like, "What you see is that you get. Pristine condition."

The woman was being sued by the eventual purchaser because what was delivered was the brochure. For a couple hundred dollars. Fortunately, she lost.
 
Man, we need a strict bit of law like NC has at the federal level... that whole "You can't give nutritional/medical advice without a license"... that would shut down a lot of the stupidity government does 'for your own good.' ;)
 
muciti said:
I dont understand the issue. If someone is taking medical advice from a blog rather than a dr for a serious medical condition chances are they too stupid to make good choices whether this blog exists or not.

Because people are susceptible to bribes and misinformation from suppliers of products and doctors are not people, right?

ttwtt78640 said:
In some areas that is true, yet do you REALLY want "Homey the Handyman" to be able to tie into the power grid after wiring your new addition with recycled lamp cord?

That would be an awesome business name. I would totally hire Homey the Handyman.

I am not suggesting an end to certifications. How many hundreds (if not thousands) of certificates are available in the computer industry? Tons. How many of them are government certificates? Virtually none. This mean that Homey the Computer Programmer can write programs to his heart's delight so long as someone is willing to hire him (assuming a lack of certification). The same goes for any other type of job. I completely rewired a house I was working on even though I have never taken a single "course" and have no government licensure. The inspector later was impressed by the orderliness of the wiring and found nothing dangerous.

In other words, it does not take a license to have knowledge. The opposite is also true, I know of many people who hold various government licenses who are mediocre at best in their particular trades. Do hairstylists really need to be licensed? Seriously. Take a look at this list of occupations which are licensed by many states in the U.S. and tell me it's not ridiculous:

Accountants and Auditors
Actuaries
Administrative Service Managers
Adult Literacy, Remedial Education, and GED Teachers and Instructors
Advertising Sales Agents
Aerospace Engineers
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
Agricultural Engineers
Agricultural Inspectors
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary
Agricultural Workers, All Other
Aircraft Pilots and Instructors (in addition to FAA)
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians
Amusement and Recreation Attendants
Anesthesiologists
Animal Breeders
Animal Control Workers
Animal Scientists
Animal Trainers
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
Arborists, Tree Surgeons, and Tree Service Specialty Contractors
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary
Athletes and Sports Competitors
Athletic Trainers and Valets
Atmospheric and Space Scientists
Audiologists
Auditors, Energy
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers
Automotive Master Mechanics
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
Barbers
Bartenders
Bill and Account Collectors
Biochemists
Biological Scientists, All Other
Biological Technicians
Biomedical Engineers
Boiler Operators and Tenders, Low Pressure
Boilermakers
Bus Drivers, School
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity
Business Operations Specialists, All Other
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
Calibration and Instrumentation Technicians
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians
Cargo and Freight Agents
Carpenters
Carpet Installers
Cashiers, Parimutuel (Horse Racing)
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
Chemical Engineers
Chemical Plant and System Operators
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary
Chemists
Child Care Workers
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Chiropractors
Civil Engineers
Clinical and School Psychologists
Coaches and Instructors, Athletics
Coin, Vending, and Slot Machine Servicers and Repairers
Collections Agency Managers
Commercial Pilots, Aerial Pesticide Applicators
Computer Hardware Engineers
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Construction Managers and Contractors
Construction and Building Inspectors
Construction and Related Workers, All Other
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door
Conveyor Operators and Tenders
Coroners
Correctional Officers and Jailers
Cosmetologists, Hairdressers, and Hairstylists
Counselors, All Other
Counter and Rental Clerks
Court Clerks
Court Reporters
Crane and Tower Operators
Credit Analysts
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary
Dental Assistants
Dental Hygienists
Dental Laboratory Technicians
Dentists, All Other Specialists
Dentists, General
Dietetic Technicians
Dieticians and Nutritionists
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
Door-to-Door Sales Workers, News and Street Vendors, and Related Workers
Driver/Sales Workers
Drywall Installers
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas
Education Administrators, All Other
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary
Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program
Education Administrators, School Superintendents
Education, Training, and Library Workers, All Others
Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors
Electrical Engineers
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
Electricians
Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers
Electronics Engineering Technicians
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
Elementary (Public) School Teachers, Except Special Education
Elevator Installers and Repairers
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics
Employment Interviewers, Private or Public Employment Service
Employment, Recruitment, and Placement Specialists
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
Engineering Managers
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary
Engineers, All Other
Entertainers and Performers, Sports and Related Workers, All Others
Environmental Compliance Inspectors
Environmental Engineers
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
Excavating and Loading Machine Operators
Executive Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters
Extraction Workers, All Other
Farm Labor Contractors
Farm and Home Management Advisors
Farmers and Ranchers
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse
Farmworkers, Farm and Ranch Animals
Fence Erectors
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators
Financial Specialists, All Other
Fire Fighters
Fire Inspectors
Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors - Construction Trades Workers
First-Line Supervisors and Manager/Supervisors - Extractive Workers
First-Line Supervisors, Customer Service
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Non-Retail Sales Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Personal Service Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Production and Operating Workers
First-Line Supervisors/Managers, Protective Service Workers, All Other
Fish and Game Wardens
Fishers and Related Fishing Workers
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles
Floor Sanders and Finishers
Food Batchmakers
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders
Food Science Technicians
Food Service Managers
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary
Forensic Science Technicians, Polygraph Examiner
Forest and Conservation Workers
Foresters
Funeral Directors/Embalmers/Morticians
Gaming Cage Workers, Change Persons, and Booth Cashiers
Gaming Computer Systems Operators or Repairers
Gaming Dealers
Gaming - Horse Racing Vendors
Gaming Managers
Gaming - Race Horse Owners
Gaming - Restaurant Managers
Gaming Service Workers, All Other
Gaming Supervisors
Gaming Surveillance Officers, Security Officers, and Gaming Investigators
Gas Appliance Repairers
General and Operations Managers
Geological and Petroleum Technicians
Geologists and Hydrologists
Glaziers
Government Service Executives, Superintendents of Schools
Grader, Bulldozer, and Scraper Operators
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
Hazardous Material Removal Workers
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other, including Acupuncturists
Health Educators
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other, including Hearing Aid Dispensers
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other
Hearing Aid Dispensers and Fitters
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Hoist and Winch Operators
Home Appliance Installers
Home Health Aides
Human Resources, Training, and Labor Relations Specialists, All Other
Hunters and Trappers, Commercial
Industrial Engineers
Industrial Production Managers
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other
Instructional Coordinators
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Insurance Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
Insurance Appraisers, Auto Damage
Insurance Sales Agents
Insurance Underwriters
Interior Designers
Internists, General
Interpreters and Translators
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners - Chimney Sweepers
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education
Land Surveyors
Landscape Architects
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers
Lawyers
Legal Support Workers, All Other
Librarians
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Library Technicians
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
Loan Officers
Lobbyists
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers
Lodging Managers
Log Graders and Scalers
Maintenance Workers, Machinery
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General
Managers, All Other
Manicurists and Pedicurists
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers
Marine Architects
Marine Engineers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Massage Therapists
Material Moving Workers, All Other
Materials Engineers
Materials Inspectors
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary
Mechanical Door Repairers
Mechanical Engineers
Mechanical Inspectors
Medical Assistants
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists
Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
Medical and Health Services Managers, including Nursing Home Administrators
Medical and Public Health Social Workers
Mental Health Counselors
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Metal Workers and Plastic Workers, All Other
Microbiologists
Middle (Public) School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
Millwrights
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Motion Picture Projectionists
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other
Municipal Fire Fighters
Municipal Fire Fighting and Prevention Supervisors
-- Continued --
 
-- Continued --
Nonfarm Animal Caretakers
Nuclear Engineers
Nuclear Medicine Technologists
Nuclear Power Reactor Operators
Nursery Workers
Nursery and Greenhouse Managers
Nurses, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational
Nursing Aides, Orderlies, and Attendants
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary
Obstetricians and Gynecologists
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians and Specialists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Occupational Therapists
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other - Notaries Public
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Opticians, Dispensing
Optometrists
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
Ordinary Seamen and Marine Oilers
Orthodontists
Orthotists and Prosthetists
Packers and Packagers, Hand
Painters, Construction and Maintenance
Paperhangers
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other, including Tattoo Artists
Personal Finance Advisors
Personal and Home Care Aides
Personnel Recruiters
Pest Control Workers/Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, Applicators, and Dealers
Petroleum Engineers
Pharmacists
Pharmacy Technicians
Physical Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physician Assistants
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary
Pile-Driver Operators
Pilots, Ship
Pipelayers and Pipelaying Fitters
Plant Scientists
Plant and System Operators, All Other
Plumbers, Pipefitters, Gas Fitters, and Steamfitters
Podiatrists
Police Detectives
Police Identification and Records Officers
Police and Sheriffs Patrol Officers
Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other
Precision Devices Inspectors and Testers
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education
Pressure Vessel/Boiler Inspectors
Private Detectives and Investigators
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Product Safety Engineers
Production Workers, All Other
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
Prosthodontists
Protective Service Workers, All Other
Psychiatric Technicians
Psychiatrists
Psychologists, All Other
Public Address System and Other Announcers - Boxing Ring Announcers
Purchasing Agents and Buyers (Dealers), Agricultural/Farm Products
Purchasing Agents, Except Wholesale, Retail, and Farm Products
Radiologic Technicians, Technologists, and Therapists
Range Mangers, Certified Wetlands Scientists
Real Estate Sales Agents and Brokers
Recreation Guides and Other Recreation Workers
Recreational Therapists
Refrigeration Mechanics
Registered Nurses
Rehabilitation Counselors
Repossessor Agency Manager
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapy Technicians
Retail Salespersons
Roofers
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas
Sales Representatives, Agricultural - Lobster Sellers
Sales Representatives, Chemical and Pharmaceutical
Sales Representatives, Instruments
Sales Representatives, Mechanical Equipment and Supplies - Aircraft Dealers
Sales Representatives, Services, All Other
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products
Sales and Related Workers, All Other, including Auctioneers
Secondary (Public) School Teachers, Except Special and Vocational Education
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents
Security Guards
Security and Fire Alarm System Installers
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners
Sheet Metal Workers
Ship and Boat Captains and Pilots
Skin Care Specialists and Aestheticians
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other
Social Workers, All Other
Soil Scientists and Classifiers
Special Education Teachers, Middle School
Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten, and Elementary School
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School
Speech-Language Pathologists
Station Installers and Repairers, Telephone
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators
Storage and Distribution Managers
Structural Iron and Steel Workers
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Surgeon Assistants
Tax Preparers
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Taxidermist
Teacher Assistants
Teachers and Instructors, All Other
Telemarketers
Tile, Marble, and Terrazzo Contractors
Title Examiners and Abstractors
Truck Drivers, Commercial
Transportation Managers
Transportation Workers, All Other - Elevator Operators
Travel Agents
Truck Drivers, Heavy and Tractor-Trailer
Truck Drivers, Light or Delivery Services
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials
Upholsterers
Urban and Regional Planners
Veterinarians
Veterinary Assistants, Technicians, and Wildlife Rehabilitators
Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary
Vocational Education Teachers, Middle School
Vocational Education Teachers, Secondary School
Water and Wastewater Laboratory, Treatment Plant, and System Operators
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers
Welders
Well Drillers and Pump Installers
Wholesale and Retail Buyers, Except Farm Products
 
I read the list... there are very few jobs in that list where I think it's ridiculous to try and regulate it. Mostly telemarketers. Pretty much everything else? Yeah, I'd like my pilots and engineers to be licensed before they get a job.
 
I read the list... there are very few jobs in that list where I think it's ridiculous to try and regulate it. Mostly telemarketers. Pretty much everything else? Yeah, I'd like my pilots and engineers to be licensed before they get a job.

Why shouldn't I be allowed to fly an airplane unless THE GOVERNMENT says I can? Why do I have to comply with all these recurrent training procedures just so I can carry paying passengers? Who is THE GOVERNMENT to tell me that I can't work a duty day of 18 hours?
 
Hatuey said:
I read the list... there are very few jobs in that list where I think it's ridiculous to try and regulate it. Mostly telemarketers. Pretty much everything else? Yeah, I'd like my pilots and engineers to be licensed before they get a job.

Again, I'm not suggesting an end to occupational licensing. I simply allege that government licensing is generally counterproductive and arbitrary. Pilots get a commercial license with only 250 hours of flight experience. As far as the government is concerned, these pilots are qualified to fly people around for compensation. No company in its right mind would hire a pilot with only 250 hours experience and put him in a command position. It is the industry which self-regulates.
 
Licensing should be a signal to consumers. In the IT industry, having an A+ says you know how to fix and set up computers. But it's not a legal requirement to have one, it's just something that gives more information to employers and homeowners who just want someone to fix their computer.

Where the lack of licensing poses a real danger to consumers, I can see it being required, but if you have to think of really improbable what if scenarios to justify licensing, then it's just not necessary. Like barbers, whenever someone objects to not requiring licensing for barbers they bring up scissors in the head type scenarios. but Britain has endured the scourge of unlicensed barbers and the worst that can be said is that Brits have weird hair sometimes.

You'll also notice that licensing laws tend to grandfather existing incumbents in the industry. Florida's interior designer licensing requirements are extremely steep. And supposedly necessary for public safety. Yet 90% of interior designers in Florida do not meet the requirements becuase they were grandfathered in. So there's obviously no real public safety interest here.
 
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Licensing should be a signal to consumers. In the IT industry, having an A+ says you know how to fix and set up computers. But it's not a legal requirement to have one, it's just something that gives more information to employers and homeowners who just want someone to fix their computer.

Where the lack of licensing poses a real danger to consumers, I can see it being required, but if you have to think of really improbable what if scenarios to justify licensing, then it's just not necessary. Like barbers, whenever someone objects to not requiring licensing for barbers they bring up scissors in the head type scenarios. but Britain has endured the scourge of unlicensed barbers and the worst that can be said is that Brits have weird hair sometimes.

You'll also notice that licensing laws tend to grandfather existing incumbents in the industry. Florida's interior designer licensing requirements are extremely steep. And supposedly necessary for public safety. Yet 90% of interior designers in Florida do not meet the requirements becuase they were grandfathered in. So there's obviously no real public safety interest here.
Excellent post.

A relatively little-known fact is that many industry advocacy groups actually support and endorse licensing, precisely because it stifles competition, and with less competition comes artificially higher prices, which translates into artificially higher profits for those already "in".

Engineers, architects, pilots, etc., should be licensed. Interior decorators and hair braiders? No.
 
Licensing should be a signal to consumers. In the IT industry, having an A+ says you know how to fix and set up computers. But it's not a legal requirement to have one, it's just something that gives more information to employers and homeowners who just want someone to fix their computer.

Where the lack of licensing poses a real danger to consumers, I can see it being required, but if you have to think of really improbable what if scenarios to justify licensing, then it's just not necessary. Like barbers, whenever someone objects to not requiring licensing for barbers they bring up scissors in the head type scenarios. but Britain has endured the scourge of unlicensed barbers and the worst that can be said is that Brits have weird hair sometimes.

You'll also notice that licensing laws tend to grandfather existing incumbents in the industry. Florida's interior designer licensing requirements are extremely steep. And supposedly necessary for public safety. Yet 90% of interior designers in Florida do not meet the requirements becuase they were grandfathered in. So there's obviously no real public safety interest here.

Good post. You make some very good points, concerning keeping an "'in" group or industry excusive club; much the same can be said for CCW permit laws, as they require private "NRA" classes rather than simply publishing the required material and letting the state give the "certification" test. Taxi cab licenses are another "club" type of deal, as are teacher certificates that require "special" classes given only by "special" teachers, rather than a simple test of knowedge or skills given by the state. A good "test" for whether the law is designed for REAL public safety is simply who gives the test/establishes the test material - the trade group or the gov't.
 
Just got to say, the licensing of barbers and beautitians (? not sure what to call them) is due to more than a bad haircut. Scalps can be permanently damaged, not to mention beauticians works with some highly corrosive and deadly chemicals that when used improperly can cause all sorts of problems.
 
Again, I'm not suggesting an end to occupational licensing. I simply allege that government licensing is generally counterproductive and arbitrary. Pilots get a commercial license with only 250 hours of flight experience. As far as the government is concerned, these pilots are qualified to fly people around for compensation. No company in its right mind would hire a pilot with only 250 hours experience and put him in a command position. It is the industry which self-regulates.

I would rather have the gov't do the regulating than a "private" industry group, since the gov't is (in theory) under the control of the people, rather than only their CHOSEN members, but still prefer gov't inspectors rather than up front certification where possible. The reason to have a licensed "professional" is often simply to keep the total number "in the club" limitted by the club itself, thereby guaranteeing a VERY profitable supply/demand ratio REMAINS in place or to REQUIRE paying extremely high "dues" (to the club, of course) to get into and stay in the club.
 
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Just got to say, the licensing of barbers and beautitians (? not sure what to call them) is due to more than a bad haircut. Scalps can be permanently damaged, not to mention beauticians works with some highly corrosive and deadly chemicals that when used improperly can cause all sorts of problems.

That can happen, but does it? Barbers do not require licenses everywhere, before restrictions are put in place there should be studies done on whether the lack of licensing increases the likelihood of harm to consumers.

British barbers really want licensing bad, but is there anyone else who thinks there's a major problem with scalp damage in Britain?

British Barbers' Association

In the US, all states except Alabama require licensing of barbers. Which means that if this is a vital thing to do, we should be able to observe an issue in Alabama.
 
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ttwtt78640 said:
I would rather have the gov't do the regulating than a "private" industry group, since the gov't is (in theory) under the control of the people, rather than only their CHOSEN members, but still prefer gov't inspectors rather than up front certification where possible. The reason to have a licensed "professional" is often simply to keep the total number "in the club" limitted by the club itself, thereby guaranteeing a VERY profitable supply/demand ratio REMAINS in place or to REQUIRE paying extremely high "dues" (to the club, of course) to get into and stay in the club.

This certainly makes sense if taken at face value and I don't blame you for believing this. My favorite example of private oversight is the electronics industry. Have you ever heard of Underwriter's Laboratory or Consumer Electronics? If you pick up a random electronic gizmo from around the house, you will likely see a UL and/or CE stamped on the bottom where all of the manufacturing information is located. These are private companies which have established various standards for electronics manufacturers. UL has been around since the late 19th century and is active in almost 100 nations! Manufacturers voluntarily comply with the standards established by companies such as these and are then allowed to place these emblems on their products. These labels allow consumers to know that a particular product is safe according to an established standard.

This is done in many industries and is fully capable of being applied to all industries. Doctors, pilots, barbers, and engineers included.
 
This certainly makes sense if taken at face value and I don't blame you for believing this. My favorite example of private oversight is the electronics industry. Have you ever heard of Underwriter's Laboratory or Consumer Electronics? If you pick up a random electronic gizmo from around the house, you will likely see a UL and/or CE stamped on the bottom where all of the manufacturing information is located. These are private companies which have established various standards for electronics manufacturers. UL has been around since the late 19th century and is active in almost 100 nations! Manufacturers voluntarily comply with the standards established by companies such as these and are then allowed to place these emblems on their products. These labels allow consumers to know that a particular product is safe according to an established standard.

This is done in many industries and is fully capable of being applied to all industries. Doctors, pilots, barbers, and engineers included.
These are for tangible end-products, not the labor and/or skill that a human must possess to manufacture them. Licensing of the individuals who make the products may or may not require licensing, but it's not automatic. In fact, the fact that many do not require licensing, and still get these coveted seals of approval, backs up the point that licensing is not always necessary... though I would stop short at not requiring licensing where direct physical harm is likely in the event of a failure, i.e.; doctors, engineers, etc.
 
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For many sectors I like the idea of having licenses in place, that way people who wish to use a licensed individual should have the reasonable expectation of competence, and the ability to sue for a job done poorly

But, people should be allowed to do the same jobs as unlicensed individuals as long as it is made clear they are unlicensed. Inspections and the like should be performed for both licensed and un licensed
 
For many sectors I like the idea of having licenses in place, that way people who wish to use a licensed individual should have the reasonable expectation of competence, and the ability to sue for a job done poorly

I like this idea, if it would be applied to politicians. Imagine all the great lawsuits for incompetence. A good way to finally get some accountability in them.
 
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