[unholythree]

Some licensing does require continuing education or regular testing.

I think the argument for some of these licenses is that if the licensee screws up you can report them to a proper government agency who will investigate them. If a cab driver refuses service for a discriminatory reason in my town he can be reported to the the taxi cab bureau, or if my barber has unsanitary practices to health and human services.

[tsotha]

If a cab driver refuses you service take the next one. Why is that a problem?

And the barber example makes my point. When they added licensing for cosmetology in my state existing cosmetologists were grandfathered in. They got licenses because they'd already been doing the work. But if you wanted to enter the field you had to go to cosmetology school.

[marincounty]

Yea, they did roughly the same think with Realestate Brokers in California. When the Lobbiests tried to win over Gov. Scheartzenegger, he saw right through the ploy, and vetoed the bill. Gov. Brown caved in. That day I retired my strict D card! I still astonished we pay Realtors so much money for essentially a smile, and omissions and errors insurance? Eight classes and a cheezy exam, dubious experience and 3% commission? Actually, in this day and age, I thought Realtors would be extinct?

[nhaehnle]

If a cab driver refuses you service take the next one.

While the population in large cities is growing, plenty of people don't live in one. "Take the next one" simply isn't an option for those people (I speak from experience, having lived in the countryside).

[tsotha]

In this day of Uber and mobile phones it's hard to believe you can't get a cab pretty much anywhere.

[nhaehnle]

How about a remote valley in the Andes?

(Somewhat tongue in cheek, but it's good to remember that there's more to life - and perhaps even potential markets.)