On Sat, 21 Aug 2010 10:58:28 -0400, J. Clarke wrote:

> On 8/21/2010 7:22 AM, George wrote:
>>
>> But that is completely incorrect as usual. A good friend and a relative
>> own businesses that hire licensed staff. Both extensive training and an
>> extensive exam are the norm. Here are the requirements in PA just to be
>> able to take the comprehensive exam:
>>
>>
>> § 7.32d. Requirements for cosmetologist examination.

<snip>
>
> You have to remember that these things vary by state. Wasn't too long
> ago that in one state one could become a lawyer by deciding one day "I
> want to be a lawyer", walking in off the street the day of the bar exam,
> and passing the exam.

that's said to be abe lincoln's path to becoming a lawyer:

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Early_career_and_military_service>

'reading the law' and then taking the bar exam used to be quite common.
judging from some of the numbskulls emerging from law schools today, i'm
not so sure it was a bad system.

your pal,
blake