We were told the same thing about Taxis -- or at least that part of that red tape was to ensure the safety of riders.

Yet this company comes along that very aggressively flies in the face of this licensing and the world flocks to it.

We can't equate the inexistence of mandated licensing to there not being feedback mechanism for quality, competence, etc. If we did not mandate licensing, don't you think those would emerge? And perhaps even be better?

I think you need to think of a better example. The stadium would be built by a major contractor, and they would be responsible for hiring capable people. In general, having a university degree in structural engineering means a person can design structures that don't fall down. In this instance, having a license would be just like an extra stamp on the university degree.

The contractor would be hired to build what the engineer designed. The contractor does not check the designs.

The university degree is only the first step toward becoming an engineer. In the US, to be a licensed engineer one must have a degree, pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, work a cumulative 4 years under another professional engineer, and then pass the Professional Engineering exam for the discipline they wish to pursue. After that, continuing education credits are require to maintain the license. Additional testing may be needed depending on field and location. To say that the license is just a stamp on the degree is not correct.

A person with just a degree is not qualified to design large structures. Licensure requires several years of experience under the supervision and mentorship of a professional. Schools teach the theory, but there's lots of practical details that require experience to learn and understand. You're just required to work with others who know what they're doing for a while. Then you're allowed to do things alone.