Licensure: Not So Bad?

I happened to stumble upon this site today and I found the interview with Clark Neily simply ridiculous. I can't help but lose patience and become quite upset about the applicants who cannot pass the Louisiana Florist License Exam. These people choose to blame their failure on others because they cannot pass a simple exam. If you are not able to admit your inability when it comes to floral design, the exam judges will and although it may upset or hurt someone this does not make it unfair. It is still possible to hold a position in the floral industry without a Retail Florist License.

I was amazed by how many statements in this clip were untrue. Let's begin with the fact that these people who took the licensing exam and failed ARE still able to arrange fresh, dried or artificial flowers for a flower shop and also to own a flower shop. The law states that a business which arranges and sells floral designs must have at least one regular employee (minimum of 32 hours per week) at each place of business who is a licensed florist. When applicants take the design portion of the test, you should be able to finish the four designs in less than the four hours allowed and the designs assigned to us were the same as many used in floral shops all over Louisiana and those shops are still in business. Also, we are not expected to use steel picks for flower placement; it is an option offered to the applicants along with wet floral foam. The statement that florists are making 18k is very hard for me to believe considering I have only been in the business for 3 years and I am making 26k.

The statement about the law being in place to offer protection to "competing florists" is ridiculous! I am going through the motions now to open a flower shop in New Orleans and I believe the Licensing Law should remain for the simple fact that it gives me at least a clue as to how knowledgeable a floral designer is when he/she walks in to apply for a position. Also, lots of flower shop owners ask applicants to design a few occasional arrangements during the interview… should this be considered a "no-no"?

I started working in a flower shop 3 years ago with absolutely NO prior experience (the owner of this shop did not have a florist license and this was completely legal because a full time designer employed with her held a florist license). One year after working there I took the Floral Exam and passed (on the first time). -It was fairly easy- I will admit the test is fairly outdated but it teaches you the basics which at times you are forced to resort to.

As for those who could not pass the design portion of the exam, I can understand that because when I finished the exam with time to spare it gave me a minute to look around the room and more than half the room was filled with absolutely hideous designs. There are some florists that are not very good at what they do, as with any other form of art, I find it reassuring to know that at least one person in each floral shop in licensed and can attempt to monitor the designs that are sent out the door.

I do understand that you most probably did not know enough about the Louisiana laws regarding this subject to realize many of the statements were completely false. I'm sorry if this email comes of very rude and angry as this was not my intention.

Thank you for your time.
Janey