[dwoot]

1. RNs have people's lives in their hands 2. CPAs have a fiduciary responsibility to their clients, especially in tax services

I think it is generally accepted that licenses don't signify "quality".

What are you hoping to gain with a license? Some badge that somebody can show to a prospective employer, so that they don't quiz you on capabilities?

I think we can agree that the field and knowledge required to perform as an RN doesn't change that often and the same goes for CPAs. However, the world of software is changing constantly. How could a licensing process ever stay up to date? Sure we could just test CS fundamentals and give people a stamp -- essentially what a degree is supposed to do. But if you're a software developer, like myself, that has interviewed many people and been subjected to many interviews, I know it's not a perfect process, but I've come across people that have exaggerated their abilities on resumés. One of the great things about software is GitHub, Bitbucket, etc. Why? Because it sometimes provides a window into the work of a developer before they make it on-site. I'd be happy if the industry as a whole just accepted this as the resumé and leaving the in-person interview as one that's non-technical, save for maybe something like FizzBuzz.

From my perspective, I think the idea of licensing is just an okay process for other fields. Without an interval of re-testing, how can we ensure that service providers can still deliver? I have friends that work at medical centers with doctors that have been there for decades that seem to have forgotten a thing or two, but refuse to accept the answer to a symptom or problem that is fresh in a new or recent grad's mind that's had fatal consequences. It's sad.

[southern_cross]

On the other hand, as a nurse my wife can relay stories going back to her earliest working days where more experienced medical personnel often had to step in to prevent a newly minted doctor from harming or potentially even killing a patient. I remember that giving oxygen was often the issue here, where the new doctors seemed to think that giving more oxygen was always better, but the nurses knew that giving too much oxygen can put a patient into crisis. (I forget why.) She hasn't mentioned this particular issue in ages now, though, so I guess these days medical schools are doing a better job here.