
<a href="https://reason.com/video/2025/08/22/why-do-so-many-jobs-require-a-license/" target="_blank">View original image source</a>.
Ever wondered why a whopping 20 percent of American workers have to jump through hoops to keep their jobs? That’s right! Andrew Heaton takes a deep dive into the tangled web of professional licensing in his latest musings. He raises some eyebrows while pointing out that so many jobs require licenses that make you scratch your head in confusion. Why do you need a license for certain professions and not for others? It’s a puzzling endeavor that leaves plenty of people frustrated.
Heaton’s take is a refreshing mix of humor and insight, exposing how some licensing rules feel absolutely ludicrous. It’s like saying you need a license just to breathe—overtly excessive! He questions whether these regulations really protect us or if they just keep people stuck without a way to work. Spoiler alert: his conclusion isn’t in favor of the status quo, and it may just make you laugh at the absurdity of it all.
As we sift through these licensing requirements, one has to wonder: are we protecting the public, or are we just adding unnecessary barriers for people trying to earn a living? It’s a thought-provoking issue that might inspire some heated debates. What do you think? Are licenses standing in the way of potential job seekers who could offer great services without a bureaucratic stamp of approval?
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