>> anybody off the street can build an application No they can't. The closest is they can steal(copy/paste) portions of other people's applications, change som

>> anybody off the street can build an application No they can't. The closest is they can steal(copy/paste) portions of other people's applications, change some text, and attempt to take credit for them. Also, we do have agency(private) that you suggested. Developer certification programs exist for nearly every language and platform. They aren't very popular. Red Hat will certify you as a java developer for JBoss, Oracle will certify you as a java developer as well. If you can't write code, but still want to feel geeky and have a career as a waiter, you can go get certified as an "ethical hacker" too. There is no shortage of agency - employers and consumers simply do not care, and by that, I mean they do not want to pay(higher prices) for it. PS: You can go be an amateur electrician or plumber today, without breaking any laws. However, if you'd like to touch private/public power or water/waste infrastructure, then you need endorsement. It's not illegal for you to hire me(a total amateur at those 2 trades) to both wire and plumb the new house you are building. The awkward moment will be when the water and power company refuse to connect your house, because the work I did was not the work of a licensed electrician or plumber. I understand the spirit of your analogy, but it doesn't translate as well with IT. For that analogy to work, then private/public internet infrastructure would have to refuse to inter-operate with your software if you didn't meet their licensing/certification standard.