Licensing Racket

Discover the compelling insights of Rebecca Haw Allensworth in her groundbreaking book, Licensing Racket, published by Harvard University Press in 2025. Spanning 304 pages, this hardback edition delves deep into the often opaque operations of professional licensing boards. Allensworth meticulously reveals how these entities create arbitrary barriers to employment, manipulate markets for everyday services like hairdressing, and permit unethical practices in critical fields such as medicine and law. Licensing Racket serves not only as an eye-opening exposé but also as a passionate call for reform and, when necessary, the abolition of these restrictive practices. This essential read is perfect for anyone interested in economics, regulatory policy, and the future of professional standards in the United States.