How about it?

Does you State have a license law? Is it a good one that protects consumers (of all types) while supporting legitimate business, or just a tax?

I know of many cities, towns and Fifedoms (real spelling I think is fiefdom - but I'm thinking Barney Fife here) that have taxes called license.

Has anyone recently supported or worked on -or towards- a State license - in your State?

Brandt,
Sad to say, Ohio has very little when it comes to laws. Anyone can be a painter. Nothing required, except WC if you have employees. No Bonding, etc. Everyone who needs to make a quick buck runs a newspaper ad and paints Grandmas house. Why? They are the cheapest and have nothing to gain, except a few side bucks or beer money. It is tough when we see five people working on a house that wasn't there yesterday! They pay their help under the table and use the cheap paint. I have spoken to several legislators and their attitude is we really don't want licensing in Ohio! I could be wrong, but is it possible the GC's don't want licensing for their painters? The price would go up? Any suggestions on exactly who to contact about this? Thank you.

I live in Utah, which has similar license requirements as Cali. Have to take tests, prove experience, pay fees, etc. I see the discipline reports where unlicensed contractors are fined, so they do follow thru. Do they get them all, of course not. There are guys around that operate "under the radar", but not for long. You can't work for reputable GCs or builders without it.
Our state makes it easy for a customer to verify a license and also has a lein recovery fund that HOs and subs can draw from. I use this information in my presentation to customers. of course, if someone is looking only at price, they don't care. I think educating customers is vital!

Happy 4th everybody,
We have state lic in Md but its 50/50 on if it works or not. Running a legal home improvment co is the law but not enforced you must have a homeowner file a complaint to get fined. No painter police in Md! About 50 % of homeowners in Md worry about having a lic. I have learned that its not worth my time to focus on the customers that don't care about anything but price. A state lic only benifits homeowners not contractors it only cost us money and puts us honest people in an uneven playing field. I focus on good customers not cheap tire kickers!!!!!!!!!!!! Where ever you are watch what you wish for it might come true. Everybody has to deal with an uneven playing field but it hurts worse when you have to pay for it.

Keep looking for the good ones. Joe Bowen