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Licensing Computer Techs As TV Repairmen

Posted by timothy on from the mendacity-mendacity-mendacity dept.

An anonymous reader writes "According to a story in yesterday's New Orleans paper, the Louisiana Radio and Television Technicians Board has sent letters to computer techs demanding fees to license them as radio and TV repairmen. Apparently, as computers drive more home theater applications, the board is trying to classify them as 'playback and recording device equipment,' which the law gives the board power to regulate. It looks more like a money grab, though, since no test is required, just $55 and an affidavit." It seems to me the better question is not whether computers can be defined in many circumstances as playback and recording equipment (hard to get around), but whether this kind of forced classification makes sense in the first place. Disingenuous quote of the day: "We're not trying to swing our arm around a whole bunch of people to get new revenue."

12 of 408 comments (clear)

  1. I can't fix most TVs by Lord+Kano · · Score: 5, Interesting

    and most TV repairmen can't fix computers.

    It's obviously a way to try to grap money.

    LK

    --
    "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
    1. Re:I can't fix most TVs by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I would imagine that TV repairmen were originally regulated because they had to know how to safely work on open TV cabinets containing dangerous high voltages, operate test equipment on those high voltage circuits, and install suitable replacement parts that wouldn't catch on fire.

      I doubt that most computer repair techs have ever opened a monitor (or even a power supply). The entire thing is treated as a disposable unit. Most servicable computer components are relatively idiot-proof, only fit into the appropriate sockets, and operate at no more than 12V.

      If they weren't just going for a money grab, they'd exempt all computer techs who don't open up monitors or power supplies.

    2. Re:I can't fix most TVs by Lord+Kano · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Which is all of them.

      I disagree.

      I've been fixing computers for people for a long while, and have never had to open a CRT or power supply. They're just not the sorts of things that break, especially since 90% of repair requests involve cleaning up after Microsoft and are software-only.

      I don't know about the work you do, but I've had to open a few monitors. Especially when I was doing repair work for Apple. I couldn't tell you how many analog/power boards I replaced in Summer 2000 iMacs. I have a Gateway monitor on my desk right now that was declared junk. I opened it up, fixed it and have been using it for nearly 5 years. Not a bad lifespan for a free piece of hardware.

      I open every dead power supply that I come across to grab the fans. You never know when a 12V fan will come in handy.

      LK

      --
      "Hi. This is my friend, Jack Shit, and you don't know him." - Lord Kano
    3. Re:I can't fix most TVs by pla · · Score: 5, Interesting

      I would imagine that TV repairmen were originally regulated because they had to know how to safely work on open TV cabinets containing dangerous high voltages, operate test equipment on those high voltage circuits, and install suitable replacement parts that wouldn't catch on fire.

      I worry about this particular money grab for exactly that reason...

      Everyone so far has complained that PC techs have very little in common with TV repairmen, and should not need licensure under the same rules.

      I would point out the flip side to that - Under this wonderful scheme, Lousiana would suddenly have a lot of "licensed" TV repairmen who had no clue how to safely (or successfully, for that matter) repair an actual TV.

      My suggestion for all the geeks annoyed by getting such a letter? Send in your $55, add "TV Repair" to your shingle, and assuming you survive your first electrocution, sue the hell out of the state for making you think you had the skills needed to safely do that job... "Well, they said I could, and in fact, they even said I had to!"

  2. Already required in CA by BrynM · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Technically, in California you have to be a licensed appliance and electronics repair person already. It's just not enforced (that wouldn't go over well in San Jose). I wish I had time to find a better link to source, but here's a link.

    --
    US Democracy:The best person for the job (among These pre-selected choices...)
  3. Whats next? by DBA_01123 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Whats next automechanics having to get licenses as ferriers to change tires?

  4. Re:I don't see it as such a bad thing. by cmallinson · · Score: 5, Funny
    For $55, you get to say that you are a licensed computer repairperson.
    It would make one stand out amongst competition.
    That seems like a good deal to me.

    In that case, send me $75, and you can be a preferred licenced computer repairperson

  5. Louisiana = Alabama by Zaranne · · Score: 5, Informative

    This is same sort of stupid stuff that Alabama pulls. They charge a licensing fee to sell calculators in the state. This is from a law made in the 1800's when cash registers were introduced. I think politicians thought "if it takes money, we should get some of it." They threw "them thar' cal-u-lating machines" in since they can be used to calculate money.

    --
    So when is the Hawkeye movie coming out?
  6. Re:In other news . . . by serutan · · Score: 5, Funny

    In other news: "Louisiana state government needs more money, thinks up new way to get it."

    I can visualize the meeting. "Hey, there's lots of people fixin' computers in Looziana and we aint making a dime off'em. Say we charge $55 a pop. I'll get started mailing out the threat letters!"

  7. Not a first for Louisiana by DrLudicrous · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Apparently, Louisiana is well-known for this kind of crap. In order to be a florist in Louisiana, you have to be licensed. Achieving this requires taking a $150 exam before a committee. Of course, the committee is composed of other local florists, to whom you represent competition. For a quick blurb on this, and the effort to eradicate (which has already failed), check out:

    http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/071504/opi_edi 2001.shtml

  8. This is great.!!!!!!!!! by YankeeInExile · · Score: 5, Informative

    I have always heard rumors of Marijuana Tax Stamps and the like, so I did a little googling. Here's a random sample from Kansas:

    Drug dealers, as defined above, are required by law to purchase tax stamps from the Department of Revenue's Business Tax Bureau (K.S.A. 79-5204). In order to protect against any possible violation of the self-incrimination constitutional protection, a dealer is not required to give his/her name or address when purchasing stamps and the Business Tax Bureau is prohibited from sharing any information relating to the purchase of drug tax stamps with law enforcement or anyone else
    There is other text http://www.ksrevenue.org/faqs-abcdrugtax.htm for your amusement.
    --
    How does the Slashdot Effect happen given that no slashdotters ever RTFA?
  9. What's a "repair"? by YouHaveSnail · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What specific actions constitute a "repair"?

    Backing up a hard drive?
    Swapping one hard drive for another?
    Swapping one hard drive for another because the first had failed?
    Re-installing Windows?
    Replacing Windows with Linux?
    Modifying the Windows registry?
    Unplugging one mouse and plugging in another?
    Brushing dirt from the lens of a (optical) mouse?
    Moving files around?

    There are so many ways that a computer can "break" that don't require getting out your soldering iron... I'd think it'd be difficult to differentiate between someone who "repairs" computers and someone who "supports" computers.