Studies from think tanks across the political spectrum have expressed concerns. The libertarian Institute for Justice has compiled a list of the occupations requiring licenses; it includes massage therapists, bartenders, funeral attendants, and shampooers. The Hamilton Project at the Brookings Institution likewise has called attention to the growing cost of these requirements.

To be sure, licensing some professionals-doctors, dentists, lawyers, architects, and accountants, for example-is an appropriate way to protect the public against potential physical and financial dangers from scammers or incompetents.

But this is surely not the case with every profession now subject to license.

Accordingly, the money proposed by the administration would be spent (assuming Congress agrees) by states to assess the costs and benefits of existing and new licenses, with a view toward eliminating licensing where it doesn't make sense.