I think that, as a coworker of mine has suggested, the situation will improve as programming matures as a field of work. Something like a professional's association could work wonders if well executed. I'm not looking forward to all of the associated crap, but you win some, you lose some.

There is too much growth and change in the industry at the moment. One might argue that growth and change are inherent to ICT, but maybe that's just us hyping our own field.

In any case, the market is moving way to fast for professional licensing. Both when it comes to total demand of coders, and when it comes to the churn in required knowledge. A licensed coder that thinks jQuery is the best way to write a web-app is not going to be hired over an unlicensed coder with experience in angular/react.

Great way of putting it.