Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
1–10 of 309 posts
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#2This is interesting to me because in Ontario where I reside, I cannot call myself an engineer. The professional engineering association is ruthless in enforcing it. But my employer is in Massachusetts, where I can be called an engineer. So I'm not sure if my business cards can get me in trouble here.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#3Previous discussion from 2 years ago when the man was fined $500 for this.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#4Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves a doctor, too?
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#5“Jarlstrom’s interest stemmed from a red-light-running ticket his wife received in 2013. He spent three years analyzing the method for calculating the duration of a yellow light and found that the formula failed to account for drivers who must slow down to make a legal turn.”
Quacks like a duck.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#6Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves a doctor, too?
Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves an alien? a gnome? a horse?
If you can call yourself a horse, then it makes sense that you can also call yourself a doctor.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#7I know in the US you can call yourself a real estate agent, but not a Realtor unless you're part of the National Association of Realtors. This seems just to me: an organization shouldn't be allowed to steal a word from the English language like "engineer." But if you want to create your own brand and maintain its quality, you're more than welcome to invent a novel term and do that. But simply claiming by fiat that you have the legal right to sue someone for not following rules you've decided the rest of the world should follow despite having no moral or legal justification to do so? That's incredibly scummy.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#8Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves a doctor, too?
Why not, Doctor Dre has been doing it for years.
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#9Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves a doctor, too?
Read the article:
"Unlike an 'M.D.' or 'certified public accountant,' there is no fixed meaning to the title 'engineer,' but many different types of engineers, the judge found."
Re: Federal judge finds state law governing who is an engineer violates free speech
#10Does free speech mean anyone can call themselves a doctor, too?
Read the article: "Unlike an 'M.D.' or 'certified public accountant,' there is no fixed meaning to the title 'engineer,' but many different types of engineers, the judge found."
Professional Engineer has a fixed meaning though, and it's possible legislation would be updated to specifically reference PE language in statute.
https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/what-pe
> To become licensed, engineers must complete a four-year college degree, work under a Professional Engineer for at least four years, pass two intensive competency exams and earn a license from their state's licensure board. Then, to retain their licenses, PEs must continually maintain and improve their skills throughout their careers.
> A century ago, anyone could work as an engineer without proof of competency. In order to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, the first engineering licensure law was enacted in 1907 in Wyoming. Now every state regulates the practice of engineering to ensure public safety by granting only Professional Engineers (PEs) the authority to sign and seal engineering plans and offer their services to the public.
To use the PE seal, engineers must complete several steps to ensure their competency.
* Earn a four-year degree in engineering from an accredited engineering program * Pass the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam * Complete four years of progressive engineering experience under a PE * Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) exam