> The reasoning goes: the reasons why we need degrees are certification and reputation. By certification I mean that we only let people who we all trust practic

> The reasoning goes: the reasons why we need degrees are certification and reputation. By certification I mean that we only let people who we all trust practice medicine, as that kills people directly otherwise. So we restrict the people who can to those with the appropriate degrees. That is why in Germany such degree programs (medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, food chemistry, law, pharmacy, teacher's training certificate, forestry) end with Staatsexamen (state examination), which is a special kind of degree that is much more tightly controlled by the state.