Governor Sanford Signs Historic "Right to Shampoo" Legislation

In what is a victory for common sense and free enterprise alike, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford signed into law today a bill that removes a state regulation that requires any person or business that offers shampooing as a service (salons, barber shops, spas, etc.) must complete state mandated training.

While it may seem laughable that training is required in order to do something as simple as shampooing, this onerous licensing requirement has been on the books in SC for quite some time. More shocking is that the state requires an astounding 1,500 hours of such training, over 62 whole days of non-stop shampoo training.

There are countless other unnecessary occupational licensing requirements all over the country. Supporters of these nonsensical requirements claim that they protect consumers and ensure public safety. Actually it has been consistently proven that these claims are simply false.

Furthermore, the vast majority of these requirements only serve to impede free enterprise, discourage entrepreneurship, decrease competition, and increase prices for consumers.

The Reason Foundation produced a study last year detailing the laundry list of occupational requirements in all 50 states, nearly all of which are completely arbitrary. Go here for the complete report.

Keep in mind that Reason’s study is based on Department of Labor data (http://www.acinet.org/licensedoccupations/) that, while being the most comprehensive source out there, is not perfect. Thus, there may be even more licenses required than the ones listed.

Click here to read the press release issued by ATR in support of this measure.