A while ago I pointed out some funky permits that the City of Wauwatosa requires. I thought it might be interesting to go to the State of Wisconsin Dept. of Regulation & Licensing and do the same. Here are some stupid licenses that the state requires, along with some sarcastic comments.

Time-Share Salesperson:

The purpose of this credential is to register persons who negotiate the initial sale or purchase of a time share or campground space.

And here I thought they only had to worry about this in Florida.

Peddler:

A peddler is an individual who travels about selling wares.

The peddler's license applies to any ex-soldier of the United States in any war, who has a 25% or greater disability or has a cardiac disability recognized by the U.S. Veterans Administration, and any person disabled to the extent of the loss of one arm or one leg or more or who has been declared legally blind.

That's right... the state of Wisconsin requires a disabled veteran who tries to make money by "selling wares" to get a license. Is there a homeless license too?

Interior Designer:

"Interior design" means the design of interior spaces in conformity with public health, safety and welfare requirements, including the preparation of documents relating to space planning, finish materials, furnishings, fixtures and equipment and the preparation of documents relating to interior construction that does not substantially affect the mechanical or structural systems of a building. "Interior design" does not include services that constitute the practice of architecture or the practice of professional engineering.

I didn't realize that feng shui required so much schooling as to be dangerous if not properly licensed. I know. Maybe someone died because a picture got hung incorrectly over someone's bed, and it fell on them during the night.

Aesthetician:

An aesthetician is a person who practices aesthetics. Aesthetics means practicing the care and beautification of the skin of the human body for compensation, including but not limited to cleaning, applying cosmetics, oils lotions, clay, creams, antiseptics, powders, tonics to or massaging, stimulating, wrapping or exercising the skin of the body.

Call me crazy... but doesn't pretty much every woman over the age of... let's say 16... have the skills necessary to perform this job? I've seen a woman get ready for a party... it takes skill (and time... a lot of time... too much time), but not a license.

Manicurist:

A manicurist is a person who practices manicuring . Manicuring means, for compensation, cleansing, cutting, shaping, beautifying or massaging limited to the hands, feet or nails of the human body.

Same sarcastic comments apply here as above. Hell, even I cut my own nails... I didn't need a license to make sure I knew how. Does the fact that you make money doing it mean it takes more skill as it require licensing? Whatever happened to word of mouth recommendations?

It's amazing what kind of protectionist laws you can get passed in a legislature with the right campaign donation isn't it? There are many more silly licensing requirements beyond just these, but I just don't have the energy to document them all here. I'll be sure to come back later with another edition.