In this episode, economist Edward Timmons joins host Vitor Melo to discuss the real impact of occupational licensing laws on workers, consumers, and the economy.

🎯 Over 1 in 5 American workers must obtain a government license to do their job—barbers, teachers, massage therapists, even florists. But does licensing actually protect the public? Or is it a barrier that drives up costs and keeps people out of work?

💡 Edward explains how these rules have expanded over time, what their economic consequences are, and how universal recognition policies—a growing reform trend in U.S. states—could reduce friction and benefit both workers and consumers.

🔍 In this episode:

• What occupational licensing is and how it works

• Why some low-risk professions still face strict regulations

• How licensing impacts wages, employment, and mobility

• What research says about the real benefits (or lack thereof) of these laws

• How universal recognition could be the reform we need

  
  

📢 Don’t miss this in-depth conversation about one of the most underappreciated labor market policies—and how it affects us all.

🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and all major platforms.

📢 Watch the full episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BxfJ9gzIlLQ

📢 Follow for more content on economics and public policy:

🌐 Vitor Melo’s website: https://melovitor.com

🌐 Edward Timmons’s website: https://sites.google.com/view/edwardtimmons/home?authuser=0