The Immorality of Contractor Licensing

The topic of licensing painting contractors can provoke intense debate. Many contractors view licensing as a way to raise the standards of the industry, while others view it as ineffective and simply a money grab by the government.

While I agree with the latter, my opposition to licensing goes way beyond that argument. At its very core, licensing is a violation of individual freedom.

Freedom means the right to pursue one’s values without intervention from others. It means that, so long as one does not impose force upon another individual (or threaten to use force) one may act as one chooses. It means the right to think independently and act accordingly.

Licensing removes this freedom. An individual who seeks to enter a licensed profession must seek government permission before doing so. At the same time the consumer is denied the right to hire the professional of his choice. Licensing violates the rights of both the professional and the consumer. In essence licensing requirements turn individuals into criminals simply because they did not secure government permission.

Licensing breeds a false sense of security. Consumers falsely believe that licensed professionals are competent and trustworthy. But the legal and medical professions—both of which have rigidly enforced licensing requirements—are routinely plagued by reports of incompetent and unscrupulous conduct.

Individuals—both professionals and consumers—must take responsibility for their decisions and actions. Consumers must educate themselves regarding the appropriate standards for selecting a professional. Relying on licensing to accomplish this is a repudiation of their responsibility.

Professional contractors must educate their customers regarding the proper criteria for selecting a contractor, as well as why those criteria are important. To rely on licensing to accomplish this is a repudiation of their responsibility.

Licensing does not and will not prevent consumers from making poor decisions. Directing the government’s guns at contractors will make criminals of those who do not follow the prescribed edicts. It is ineffective, and more importantly, immoral to use force to impose one’s values and standards on others.

© BEP Enterprises Incorporated 2008