Unfortunately, there is very little paper trail to separate the herd in most of the USA. I like that you did what you needed to, for your benefit. In Florida, any idiot with a lean-to and a tool box can get a tax ID number and call themselves a technician. Outside of manufacturer training, ASE testing and certificates are the only other thing they can do for themselves to make a paper trail
Dade County has an occupational license... which amounts to simply another A$$hole Tax... everyone who works within their borders is required to pay annually, with no testing or other regulations.
Nick, how are you liking the Delco training? I have not done any of it myself... but hear lots of belly-aching from those that have over small (and maybe not so small) technical errors, mostly in the test questions.