The Truth About Barber Licensing: Protectionism in Disguise

This article was co-authored by Mark Cunningham, Vice President of Communications at Libertas Institute.

A recent Salt Lake Tribune article highlights concerns from Utah barbers over potential changes to licensing requirements. Their argument? That cutting hair requires “precision and technical knowledge” and should remain tightly regulated by the state. But this is nothing more than protectionism dressed up as consumer advocacy.

The reality is that barber licensing rules have little to do with public safety and everything to do with keeping out competition. Yes, proper sanitation and hygiene training matter—but requiring hundreds of hours of schooling and costly licenses just to cut hair is excessive. Many states have begun to roll back similar laws after recognizing that they create unnecessary barriers to entry, particularly for low-income entrepreneurs and minority communities.

 

A bad haircut isn’t a public health crisis. Customers already regulate the industry by choosing not to return to barbers who do poor work. The free market handles quality control far better than government bureaucracy ever could. Yet, established barbers—who have already invested time and money into the current system—now want to use state power to make it harder for newcomers to enter the field.

Licensing should be limited to legitimate health and safety concerns, not used as a weapon to stifle competition. If lawmakers truly care about economic opportunity and consumer choice, they should rethink these outdated regulations.

Author Profile Image
About the author

Mark Cunningham

Mark is the Vice President of Communications. Prior to joining Libertas, Mark worked at the Beacon Center of Tennessee for 11 years, where his final role was Vice President for Strategy and Communications. He acted as the chief spokesperson and head of media relations for the organization, helping to make Beacon the most heard and seen organization in the state of Tennessee, and was the founder of the Beacon Poll, a statewide poll which has garnered thousands of major national and statewide media hits, leading to over $100 million in earned media. Mark received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Share Post:

Fighting for a Future Where Individuals Are Fully Liberated to Pursue Their Dreams, Free from Coercion and Control.

You Might Also Like

Broadband isn’t just Netflix and email anymore; it's becoming as critical as roads or power lines.
As the federal government again faces a partial “shutdown," take it as a reminder to focus more on your local and state governments.
Could Ted Cruz’s SANDBOX Act be the key to keeping America ahead of China in the AI race?

Help us Nail and Scale Policies to Reduce Government Control

Your tax-deductible contributions to Libertas Institute increase freedom across the country.