The advisory boards, lobbyists, industry insiders that advise the regulatory agencies are all vested in keeping the apprentice, journeyman, master licensing sch

The advisory boards, lobbyists, industry insiders that advise the regulatory agencies are all vested in keeping the apprentice, journeyman, master licensing scheme going as it gate keeps entry into the field. If someone proposed that it should be a skills based test with oral, practical, written portions where you simply had to prove your knowledge instead of spend years and hours in the trade then they would come up with tons of reasons around safety, etc that it would be a bad idea just so they could retain their titles and keep more people out of the field. Similar to any regulated field like Doctors that have a vested interest in keeping residency spots competitive.