
Episode 121: Peter Blair on occupational licenses as information about criminal records
From Probable Causation by Jennifer Doleac
November 18, 2025 · 44 min · Episode 163
About this episode
Peter Blair discusses the role of occupational licenses as indicators of criminal records in the job market.
Peter Blair talks about occupational licenses as information about criminal records. “Job Market Signaling through Occupational Licensing” by Peter Q. Blair and Bobby W. Chung. OTHER RESEARCH WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: “The Prevalence and Effects of Occupational Licensing" by Morris M. Kleiner and Alan B. Krueger. “Analyzing the Extent and Influence of Occupational Licensing on the Labor Market" by Morris M. Kleiner and Alan B. Krueger. “A Welfare Analysis of Occupational Licensing in U.S. States" by Morris M. Kleiner and Evan J. Soltas. “How Much of Barrier to Entry is Occupational Licensing?” by Peter Q. Blair and Bobby W. Chung. “The unintended consequences of 'ban the box': Statistical discrimination and employment outcomes when criminal histories are hidden" by Jennifer L. Doleac and Benjamin Hansen. “Does Job Testing Harm Minority Workers? Evidence from Retail Establishments" by David H. Autor and David Scarborough. “Job Market Signaling" by Michael Spence.
People in this episode
Guest: Peter Blair
Topics covered
- occupational licenses
- criminal records
- job market signaling
- labor market
- employment outcomes
Keywords
- job market
- signaling theory
- licensing effects
- discrimination
- employment
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Job Market Signaling through Occupational Licensing, The Prevalence and Effects of Occupational Licensing, Analyzing the Extent and Influence of Occupational Licensing on the Labor Market, A Welfare Analysis of Occupational Licensing in U.S. States, How Much of Barrier to Entry is Occupational Licensing?, The unintended consequences of 'ban the box', Does Job Testing Harm Minority Workers?, Job Market Signaling
Books & works: “Job Market Signaling through Occupational Licensing, “The Prevalence and Effects of Occupational Licensing, Analyzing the Extent and Influence of Occupational Licensing on the Labor Market, A Welfare Analysis of Occupational Licensing in U.S. States
More episodes of Probable Causation
- Episode 126: Juan Vargas on the unintended consequences of an anti-drug policy in Colombia · June 2, 2026 · 1h 13m
- Episode 125: David Phillips on the effects of free public transit · May 5, 2026 · 56 min
- Bonus episode 16: Jennifer Doleac and Kathryn Paige Harden in conversation about their new books · April 7, 2026 · 1h 10m
- Episode 124: Steeve Marchand on the effects of prison programs · March 10, 2026 · 1h 2m
- Episode 123: Ezra Golberstein on school-based mental health services · February 10, 2026 · 1h 14m
- Episode 104: Oeindrila Dube on cognitive behavioral training for police (REBROADCAST) · January 13, 2026 · 51 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Probable Causation podcast page.