I won't speak for the original post, but will address points made in Jillaine's interpretation and the implications. IF some are proposing that genealogy create a licensing system (so the government doesn't) and that without such a license a person would be legally prevented from charging fees, and prosecuted if they did, exactly "how" would that work?? The only way a person could be prosecuted was if the government WAS involved and passed legislation making it illegal for someone to charge fees without the required "Genealogy License." Doesn't that defeat the whole purpose of "not wanting the government involved and why genealogy needs to do it"? Or, are those who propose that genealogy needs to create a licensing system want genealogists (which ones???) to write a list of codes/requirements needed to practice genealogy? To have any "teeth" they would need some legislator to sponsor a bill and get Congress to pass a law of "requirements to practice genealogy" as written by genealogists, rather than legislators. Considering the way bills are rewritten, have things added and deleted, could you "reasonably" expect the final version taken to Congress to look remotely like what genealogists originally proposed? I doubt it. I think there are plenty of laws already to address charlatans and that a licensing system (other than a local business license where required) is not needed. In looking back at Mary's original statement: " I hope we who love our profession....will rise to the top of the discussion and take the reins of leadership to self-regulate through the formal establishment of a profession in genealogy." Again, how does anyone propose that establishing a formal "profession in genealogy" to have any weight in governing beyond those who CHOOSE to join that group without bringing in government regulation, which they appear to want to avoid? There are already APG, BCG, ICAPGen, as well as other such bodies outside of the U.S. that have weight among those who CHOOSE to join those groups and complete any requirements. How would creating a "profession in genealogy" group be any different (and supposedly keep the government from getting involved)? Rick Saunders Rick Saunders -----Original Message----- From: transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:transitional-genealogists-forum-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Jillaine Smith Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 6:45 AM To: transitional-genealogists-forum@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [TGF] Who is a Professional? <snip> If I understand her correctly, Mary is saying that if the field of = genealogy does not create a licensing system for those who practice = genealogy services for pay (and we know from her previous posts on this = topic that such licensing would be based on achievement of an academic = degree in Genealogy), then the government will regulate us. I think she = is also saying that by extension, those without such a license would be = legally prevented from charging fees for their services and prosecuted = if they did so.=20 <snip>