The Crosby Chronicles: Do pet groomers really need to be certified?

Have you heard about the state bill that would request pet groomers to get certification in order to practice?

Now I’m all for ensuring that people are trained in their respected vocations. However, what about those who have had their own pet salons for years? Why do they need to pay money and go through 900 hours of useless training for a job that they’ve done successfully for years?

We don’t need the state to affirm if Fido is getting a proper shampoo and cut. Isn’t that what the Better Business Bureau’s job is? Can’t people already peruse Yelp and Annie’s List to see what customers have to say about a business?

This appears to be another example of government adding more requirements for hard working small business owners.

By the way, if passed, the law would not actually be required. In other words, it would be completely voluntary if a pet groomer wanted to get the license. What a dog of a law (sorry for the pun).

BRIAN CROSBY is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of "Smart Kids, Bad Schools and The $100,000 Teacher." He can be reached at brian-crosby.com.