In aviation there are similar stories. We are much closer watched than the bike industries, but the scenario is similar. There are 3 of us in my hangar that are unliscenced, but we see it as a formality as long as there is one with a liscnece to sign the forms off. We know our stuff and trust eachother's work, as well as we have all been through the same schooling(but the FAA cert is almost 400 bucks after schooling). I plan to get the liscnece because it adds credentials and 4 bucks/hr to my pay, but it in no way makes me a better wrench.
We have also seen liscneced card carrying mechs cause planes to crash for no other reason than stupidity, so I hold the opinion that skill is more the student than the teacher.
That said, I would go for a USCF cert if I had the opportunity, just to try it. An uncertified shop is in no way frowned on by me, but a cert does raise the bar of expectations. I think the box stores should at least require a trained mech to inspect the work of the lackeys before delivery to the customer.