I remember writing about Indiana's hypnotist licensing requirement as one silly example of overregulation and too much credentialization. Kevin Carey, who worked for the General Assembly when the law was enacted, recalls an embarrassing side effect:
Then, after the law was enacted, a funny thing started happening: The state began receiving license applications from people who didn't live in Indiana. People who lived in states (i.e. most states) that didn't require hypnotist licensing of any kind. Some were from as far away as California. It turns out they were doing it so they could advertise in the yellow pages and on bus-stop billboards as "state-licensed." They would just neglect to mention which state.
If you'd like to be a licensed and state-recognized hypnotist yourself, you can find handy guidelines at the Indiana Hyponist Committee's page at Indiana's government site. Yes, there is such a committee. Be aware, though, that you are not allowed, under Indiana law, to "use, advocate, teach or condone demoniac rituals or acts, including spirit or demon depossession, while engaged in the practice of hypnotis or advertising hypnotism services." Sorry.
