In my opinion, this whole licensing business has gotten completely out of hand. It was origanially started as protection for the consumers, but it is now used as protection for existing contractors as much as consumers. Any time you have a high level of government involvement or oversight, it always moves away from the original intent.
Take Rhode Island for example. The state of RI requires a person to hold a RI Journeyman license for 2 years before he can take the Master exam. They will not recognize any other state Journeyman license, such as MA, only a RI Journeyman license. I am licensed in numerous states at the Journeyman, Master, and Contractor level, and have 25 years experience in the electrical industry, but the state of RI will not let me take the Master Exam because I have not held a RI Journeyman license for 2 years. Now I ask you- what makes the RI license so unique?? Basically, I have to take the RI Journeyman exam, sit in my office for 2 years, and then take the Master exam. Am I a better electrician because I have the RI Jorneyman?