Lest there be any confusion, becoming a board certified attorney or physician in a particular state is not equivalent to joining a union.

A State Bar Association or Medical Association may be run by fellow attorneys and physicians, but they are governed by their respective state laws as enacted by their respective state legislatures. In other words, admission to the "association" is government regulated, just like aviation.

The government has a compelling interest in regulating admission to these industries to protect the welfare of the public. As for aviation, unless airplanes start falling out of the sky because the commercial pilot/multi-engine pilot/ATP standards are too low, the government will not change the rules. Public safety, so far, is not proven to be in jeopardy with the current commercial aviation standards.

- J.D. Flyer