Monday, June 13, 2005

Making a living the old fashioned way

"Becoming a certified emergency medical technician in Hennepin County, for example, requires only 142 hours of classroom, skills sessions and clinical time. Similarly, after a six-hour class, one can apply for a license to carry a concealed weapon."

But if you want to perform traditional African hair-braiding in Minnesota (which involves minimal scissors use and no chemicals) you must be licensed. Getting licensed costs nearly $15,000 in tuition and requires at least 1,550 hours (10 months) of schooling and forgone earnings. None of this training includes braiding either.

Luckily the Institute for Justice has filed suit on behalf of three local braiders to get the licensing requirement changed.