I have a question for y'all concerning engineers. If we ignore the engineers for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and their brethren, what exactly is an engineer? I have always assumed that in order to hold oneself out to the public as an engineer, one must be licensed by their state or government in civil, mechanical, electrical, structural engineering and receive a stamp. Other related fields like land surveying, geology, petroleum, chemical have other requirements, but may not have stamps or other official certifications. Or do they?
I ask this question because California forbids anyone to hold himself out to the public as an accountant unless they are a licensed CPA or PA. I am licensed, so I can have "accountant" on my door, stationery and anything else I wish. Unlicensed accountants can only use the term accountant as a job title or description when they are in the employ of another company. We also have continuing education requirements, conduct requirements and other requirements to renew and maintain our licenses. Failure to comply with these requirements results in license suspension, probation or revocation.
So, is it OK with the engineering field for anyone to claim that they are an engineer even though they have no education, no training and no understanding of all the science inherent in these fields? Can the plaintiff in this case open an office and call herself an engineer?