Occupational licensing undermines consumer sovereignty and restricts occupational freedom in Alabama. Professional groups use the goal of protecting consumers from unqualified practitioners as cover to restrict access into the profession and artificially raise wages. Alabama currently licenses over 140 different occupations, affecting over 1/4th of the state’s workforce. The costs of occupational licensing fall disproportionately on lowincome and minority Alabamians. Policy-makers can better protect consumer interest and economic growth in Alabama by transitioning from occupation licensing to occupational certification.
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