The Role of Professional Licensing Boards

Professional licensing boards are regulatory bodies that determine who can enter various professions, but they are often composed of active professionals in those fields. This setup creates a conflict of interest as board members may prioritize the interests of their profession over public safety and consumer protection. Rebecca Allensworth, a researcher on this topic, describes licensing boards as resembling professional associations more than governmental agencies, leading to a failure in accountability and oversight. The imbalance allows dangerous professionals to continue practicing while keeping qualified candidates out of certain professions due to stringent licensure requirements.