More Americans than ever need a license to work. But what do occupational licenses actually accomplish? This case study of one such license adds to a growing body of research that suggests this red tape does nothing but create needless barriers to work. It finds that a licensing scheme for tour guides in the District of Columbia had no effect on tour quality—and that customers rated tours just as highly after the District stopped licensing guides as they did before. These results point to a better way to ensure quality: empowering consumers to decide which service providers deserve their business. By eliminating unnecessary licensing, policymakers can put more people to work and give consumers more options—without compromising quality.
For more information, please visit www.ij.org
For more information, please visit www.ij.org
