I get the point of the article and the author uses great illustrations of the issue in various fields. Upon closer evaluation, many of those cases expose the fact that those already in the occupation don’t want any more competition so the licenses/training/testing are set up as barriers to entry.
All the above said, there are cases that prove the old railroad saying about the operating rules being “written in blood.” Nearly every administrative rule or licensing test has some root in a bad outcome from a previous practitioner that allowed an authority to determine that it could have been avoided through training and testing and licensing.
I understand your point but will add the power of the state license cuts several ways.
Yes it can be a PITA and prove nothing at times. But it makes those in a business understand if they get complaints and do shoddy work, whether it be barbers, attorneys, fortune tellers or building contractors that they can lose their right to do that business. It is a hammer that is not always perfect but it serves consumers whose only other recourse might be to get shafted or get a lawyer.
The other aspect of this is in the trades. An unseen function that many trade unions provide is ensuring that workers doing a trades job have some competence. If you go to many countries that do not have means of ensuring competent workers on large construction jobs the result is not a positive. Employers want their employees trained and capable, and today many are not willing to spend their time and money to do that.
Why give any more power to the Universities? I’m for more tests, ideally administered by an industry body’s self-regulatory organization, that don’t require some liberal school’s approval.
Sure, I want to be operated on by some affirmative action admission M.D. that’s too stupid to pass his exams.
And if you want to sue me, be sure to hire an affirmative action law school graduate who has flunked the bar exam a half dozen times.
Government projects, like construction and whatnot, should require certain licenses. But you shouldn’t be banned from practicing your craft just because you can;t afford to pay for a bunch of state licensing.
Most professions have professional organizations that have their own certifications. Just like the BBB for businesses, Private organizations are plenty capable of guaranteeing the competency level of certain people. The market will send people who want that guarantee to the licensed people, and there will be plenty of other people who go to an unlicensed shop because they can still do the job, and likely much cheaper.
What can we do to reform that