This article was originally published in Caller-Times.
When it comes to promoting the best possible environment for business to thrive and people to prosper, Texas gets a lot of things right. Unfortunately for residents of the Lone Star state, licensing is not one of them.
Occupational licensing makes it illegal for an individual to begin working in their profession of choice before meeting minimum levels of education and training. At one time licensing was reserved for jobs like doctors and dentists. Today, estimates suggest that nearly 19%—almost one in five—workers is licensed in Texas.
