We live in a time of dissonance between the two attitudes of "university is for learning how to learn first principles; if you want practical industry-relevant knowledge then go to a community college, you vocational student" and "businesses need to be fast and agile so we're not going to provide training; schools should be pumping out employees ready to be interviewed."

This is essentially what TripleByte is doing. It doesn't have a certification, but they put you through a general software engineering interview (with multiple parts). If you pass it, then they work with their partner companies to by-pass the initial screens and straight to the on-site.

Whilst I appreciate the tongue in cheek nature of this post, if merely having a degree was the answer, these types of application would not exist.

If a degree isn't sufficient, then what is sufficient?

A Lawyer needs to pass a BAR exam in the state in which they expect to work, then maintain that certification (annual training requirements, etc).

Software throws around the term "engineer" a bit willy nilly, but if you look to other engineering disciplines there is a distinct certification meaning to Engineer as a title:

1. You have graduated with an ABET-accredited degree

2. You have passed the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam

3. You have apprenticed for the necessary Engineer-In-Training period

4. You have passed your discipline's NCEES Professional Engineer exam

5. You maintain your Professional Engineer certification (annual training requirements, etc)

That certainly sounds like a good baseline. NCEES has a Software Engineering Professional Engineering exam today and can certify Professional Engineers in Software. If I never again had to do another whiteboard interview or take home programming assignment, I'd start working on my PE tomorrow.

What stops the Software Industry from recognizing distinctions such as a accredited degrees and PE certifications?

The software industry doesn't want to stop talented software developers from entering the market without a need for degrees and certifications, because that drives down labor costs. But that doesn't have to stop the industry from at least acknowledging the existence of degreed and/or certified engineers and eliminating some of the BS.