Professional Licensing is Important
 | Author:
Victor Sample
Vic Sample: MT43 News Treasurer |
Professional Licensing is Important
Victor Sample
Gov. Greg Gianforte wants to explore making the path into the state’s 50 licensed professions easier for Montanans by streamlining licensing standards and has assembled a "Licensing Reform Task Force".
No one likes bureaucracy and red tape. I wrote an article about my ridiculous experience with government bureaucracy and obtaining an ID to file some IRS forms. But I have serious concerns about "streamlining" the licensing standards.
There are certainly areas that could be improved. Reciprocity (recognizing licenses from other states) could certainly be imoroved. Currently, many, if not all, professions requiring licensing require professionals licensed in other states to go through a lengthy licensing procedure in Montana.
Instead of requiring licensed professionals from another state to go through a lengthy procees, Montana could review the licensing requirements of other states. Licensed professionals would only have to go through the lengthy license process if Montana determined the other state's licensing to be less stringent.
When I go to a dentist or need eye surgery, I want to know that the licensed professional actually knows what they are doing. I don't want to have someone who "studied up on it" by Googling or asking AI how it's done! My eyes are pretty important to me - I want an actual ophthalmologist performing procedures.
I have a friend whose house burned down. The Fire Marshall determined the cause was faulty home wiring done by the previous homeowner, who was NOT a licensed electrician. I do not do electrical work on my own home because I explicitly do not want to burn my house down because I made an error in the wiring. If I need electrical work done, I want to know the person has actual qualifications.
If you have concerns about "streamlining" the licensing, let the governor's office know; let your state representatives know.
Governor's office:
Phone: 406-444-3111
Email: governor@mt.gov
Online Form: https://governor.mt.gov/Contact/ShareYourOpinion
Wylie Galt (State senator):
Phone: (406) 444-4800
Email:Wylie.Galt@legmt.gov
Jane Gillette (State Representative):
Phone: (406) 868-1549
Email: Jane.Gillette@legmt.gov
