Fewer Licensing Laws Would Make Missouri Freer, More Prosperous
By David Stokes, Adam B. Summers
“First in shoes, first in booze, and last in the American League,” people used to say about the St. Louis Browns. Statewide, we might not be first in booze and shoes, but at least there is one category in which Missouri can be proud to rank lowest in the United States: the total number of occupational licensing regulations. According to a 2007 Reason Foundation study , Missouri requires licenses for the least number of occupations, out of all 50 states. This is significant, because fewer licensing regulations means that goods and services are cheaper for consumers, and fewer job seekers have to ask the government’s permission before working in the occupations of their choosing.