In Louisiana, computer technicians hit with fee for home entertainment television repair license
Date: August 6, 2004
Computer technicians running small computer consulting companies may need to consider being licensed by the state’s Louisiana Radio and Television Technicians Board. Because of the convergence of computers and home entertainment, the Board asserts that computer technicians are also technically television repairmen, falling under the Board’s review responsibilities.
Home computers have now become integrated with home theater and other entertainment devices, the Board asserts, and consumers must be protected from unqualified individuals performing repair work. To that end, the Board wants to charge every computer technician $55 and an affidavit from an employer, customer or computer school attesting that the person is a computer consultant, for a license.
According to the Board, the licensing requirement is designed to protect consumers who have hired computer technicians to install or repair new entertainment systems that employ computers. For example, some high definition television monitors are designed to be driven by computers and in such instances the work should be done by a certified television and radio technician to ensure that the expensive equipment is not damaged.
Apparently, the licensing requirement would only apply to those computer technicians who set up home entertainment systems and not to those whose work does not involve televisions and radio products.
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