California issues over 130 different licenses for a variety of jobs. Those licenses are required by law to perform those functions. The licensing does not actually confirm competency.
Did you know that home improvement sales persons are required to be licensed?
My daughter has a license required for estheticians and her new career, making appointments at a car dealership, she is not a sales person, also required a license. The Department of Consumer Affairs issues or at least monitors all those 130 licenses. Their licensing does not include licenses for those in the legal profession (i.e. lawyers, legal document assistants, and notaries).
Yes, you need to be licensed to set up appointments at a car dealership. Her cost to do that was $55.00 for fingerprinting and $50 at the DMV. No test was required.
How about a cemetery broker or a cemetery sales person? You need a license.
Electronic and appliance repair also requires a license.
There is a State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind. That provides “licensed Guide Dog Instructors and Schools.” “Instructors must have knowledge of the special needs of persons who are blind or visually impaired and be able to teach them, be able to train guide dogs such that blind or visually impaired persons would be safe under various traffic conditions, or be employed by a guide dog school certified by the International Guide Dog Federation or successor entity.”
Then there is the California State Athletic Commission whose mission is posted on-line. “The California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) regulates professional and amateur boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts throughout the State by licensing all participants and supervising the events. “The Commission is dedicated to the health, safety and welfare of the participants in regulated competitive sporting events, through ethical and professional service. California is the premier model for the safety and fairness of regulated sporting events.”
Of course there are legitimate reasons for licensing such as the practice of law and medicine. But do court reporters need to be certified?
The licensed contractor who added a room to my house did not pour a flat floor. I discovered that fact when I sold the house. That was a contractor who was on the bank’s approved list for home improvement loan contractors. So what value was his license?
I view these licensing regulations as an effort to limit private enterprise and an intrusion of government.
Coast Contact 