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The state of Pennsylvania, where I live, does require a license. You have to apply for an "Apprentice License" and receive 100 hours of training from a licensed projectionist. (Cost $15 US) During that time you are only allowed to operate projectors if there is another fully licensed person on duty.

Then you have to take an exam, which is absurdly simple. Here is an ACTUAL question from the exam I took:

Q - Name TWO types of film transport.

A - Elevator & Dumb-Waiter.
B - UPS & Federal Express.
C - Small Car & Large Truck.
D - Platter & Reel-to-Reel.

If you miss that question I will personally come to wherever you are and bodily throw you out of the booth!

There are 25 multiple-guess questions. You have to score 80% or better. You pay a $10 exam fee and another $10 license fee. You have to supply a mug shot type picture of yourself to put on your license. (My Film-Tech picture is my license mug shot. ) When you pass the test you receive your license in the mail. If you don't pass you can retake the test after 30 days. (And another $10 exam fee!)

Everybody who works in a booth must have their license/apprentice card with them and must be able to produce it on demand. (The inspector ACTUALLY DOES make at least one surprise visit to each theatre every 6 months to a year!) Photo copies of licenses must also be posted in a conspicuous place in each booth.

I have an 8X10 glossy of Alfredo in a frame. I keep the copy in there and hang it on the wall in my booth. (To this day nobody has ever figured out the significance.)

Licenses must be renewed each year. (Another $10 and another mug shot.) Last year I didn't renew mine because I was living out of state. This year I just sent the application in and wrote in the serial number of my past license. I got my new license without any questions.

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Here's an exerpt from the Mass. General Law chapter 143 section 75:
Section 75.
" No person shall operate such apparatus in any public building until he has received a license so to do from an inspector. No such license shall be granted until the applicant has passed an examination proving him to be thoroughly skilled in the working of the mechanical and electrical apparatus or devices used therein or connected therewith, nor unless he has submitted evidence as to his responsibility in regard to the safety of the public, and no person under eighteen shall be eligible for such examination. A fee shall accompany the application for a license. Licenses shall be valid throughout the commonwealth but shall not be assignable or transferable. A license shall continue in force until the date of birth of the licensee occurring more than twelve months but not more than twenty-four months after the date of such license unless suspended or revoked for incompetence or untrustworthiness of the licensee. "

"unless suspended or revoked for incompetence or untrustworthiness of the licensee" Up until about a decade ago the Office of public saftly and the state police were one and the same. But now they have gone their seperate ways. If you call the office of public safetly to report an unlisenced booth or an incopetent operator they will tell you that enforcement is the responsibility of the State Police. If you call the State Police they will first laugh at you and then tell you to call the office of public safety.

If you would like to read the State of Massachusetts law regarding "CINEMATOGRAPHS" go Here
and scroll down to section 72-100 (at the very bottom of the page)
(The only reason I know this is that I used to work in Massachusetts and Maine a lot. Maine does not have much current law regarding Projection booths (outside of fire regulations) but Massachusetts does.)
Jonathan

<quote> and then take their "absurdly simple" (thanks Randy) multiple guess test. 50 questions, you need 80% to pass.</quote>
It is actually a true/false test, some of which can be answered either way. But anybody who can read will pass easily.