Stephen Dubner

In many of the occupations that Allensworth looked into, there were English-only written tests that worked to exclude non-native speakers. And while tests and training are designed to improve the quality of services offered by a profession, the evidence is mixed, to put it generously.

In many of the occupations that Allensworth looked into, there were English-only written tests that worked to exclude non-native speakers. And while tests and training are designed to improve the quality of services offered by a profession, the evidence is mixed, to put it generously.

In many of the occupations that Allensworth looked into, there were English-only written tests that worked to exclude non-native speakers. And while tests and training are designed to improve the quality of services offered by a profession, the evidence is mixed, to put it generously.

During her research, Allensworth found that licensing boards put far more energy into enforcing their own requirements than protecting the public. Consider the board in Tennessee that licenses alarm systems contractors. Allensworth found them, quote, 10 times more likely to take action in a case alleging unlicensed practice than one complaining about service quality or safety.

During her research, Allensworth found that licensing boards put far more energy into enforcing their own requirements than protecting the public. Consider the board in Tennessee that licenses alarm systems contractors. Allensworth found them, quote, 10 times more likely to take action in a case alleging unlicensed practice than one complaining about service quality or safety.

During her research, Allensworth found that licensing boards put far more energy into enforcing their own requirements than protecting the public. Consider the board in Tennessee that licenses alarm systems contractors. Allensworth found them, quote, 10 times more likely to take action in a case alleging unlicensed practice than one complaining about service quality or safety.

And then there are the licensing turf wars.

And then there are the licensing turf wars.

And then there are the licensing turf wars.

Let this guy keep his license in part because there just aren't enough doctors to go around.

Let this guy keep his license in part because there just aren't enough doctors to go around.

Let this guy keep his license in part because there just aren't enough doctors to go around.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.