Semicha on Mishnah Brurah? What kind of thing is that? The only thing in Mishnah Brurah relevant to 'semichah' is hagalat kelim in hilchot pesah. And sofrim get a 'kabalah' (notice it is not called a 'semicha' by the Hatam Sofer, Keset Hasofer, and others) in the relevant laws which are mostly in hilchot tefilin.

This is just more of the semichah inflation that diminishes and cheapens the concept. I'm all for providing tests and even a little certificate that says 'proficient in Shulhan Aruch Orah Hayim with Mishnah Brurah'; but why 'semichah'?

If we can invent a 'semichah' for learning mishnah brurah, then why can't the heterodox religions like 'Renewal' invent semichas for all sorts of things?

With genuine respect to Ner Yisrael et al, this is unnecessary and another symptom of semicha inflation. Mind you, I also think far too many guys get semicha in Yoreh Deah. (Ever see the wild range of semicha standards in Chabad, all because there's a policy of sorts that all guys who can, should get semicha in Yorah Deah?)

A good knowledge of Orah Haim should be expected of any of us. And the example in the Rabbanut of including a requirement of Orah Haim for guys getting Yoreh Yoreh makes good sense. A 'semicha' because someone learned Mishnah Brurah well is ridiculous, and detracts from a notion which already suffers from becoming far too common, and less and less meaningful.

Just because something "can be done", doesn't make it a good idea.