Montemayer, The following are excerpts from Texas Law. Suggest you read it carefully or have your lawyer explain it you.
Nobody disagrees as to what you want to call yourself. The point is that it is illegal to practice or hold yourself out to be an engineer if you do not have a license:
"§ 1001.552. Criminal Penalty
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) engages in the practice of engineering without being licensed or exempted from the licensing requirement under this chapter;"
Here is the definition of "engineer" in texas law:
"§ 1001.002. Definitions
In this chapter:
(2) “Engineer” means a person licensed to engage in the practice of engineering in this state.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, § 1, eff. June 1, 2003."
The practice of engineering is specifically spelled out as well:
"c) The practice of engineering includes:
(1) consultation, investigation, evaluation, analysis, planning, engineering for program management, providing an expert engineering opinion or testimony, engineering for testing or evaluating materials for construction or other engineering use, and mapping;
(2) design, conceptual design, or conceptual design coordination of engineering works or systems;
(3) development or optimization of plans and specifications for engineering works or systems;
(4) planning the use or alteration of land or water or the design or analysis of works or systems for the use or alteration of land or water;
(5) responsible charge of engineering teaching or the teaching of engineering;
(6) performing an engineering survey or study;
(7) engineering for construction, alteration, or repair of real property;
(8) engineering for preparation of an operating or maintenance manual;
(9) engineering for review of the construction or installation of engineered works to monitor compliance with drawings or specifications;
(10) a service, design, analysis, or other work performed for a public or private entity in connection with a utility, structure, building, machine, equipment, process, system, work, project, or industrial or consumer product or equipment of a mechanical, electrical, electronic, chemical, hydraulic, pneumatic, geotechnical, or thermal nature; or
(11) any other professional service necessary for the planning, progress, or completion of an engineering service."
In regards to your brother the "train engineer", there is a specific exemption in Texas law:
"§ 1001.055. Mechanical, Electrical, or Other Equipment
(a) A person is exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter if the person is installing, operating, repairing, or servicing a
locomotive or stationary engine, steam boiler, diesel engine, internal combustion engine, refrigeration compressor or system, hoisting
engine, electrical engine, air conditioning equipment or system, or mechanical, electrical, electronic, or communications equipment or
apparatus.
(b) This exemption does not permit a person to:
(1) sign an engineering plan or specification if the person is not an engineer; or
(2) use the term “engineer” or “engineering” in any manner prohibited by this chapter."
AggieCHEN04 is free to call himself a "graduate engineer", not "engineer", "process engineer", or anything other type of "engineer" if he complies with the following section of texas law:
"§ 1001.406. Graduate Engineers
(a) A graduate of a university recognized by the American Association of Colleges and Universities who has a degree from an engineering program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has the right to:
(1) disclose any college degree received by the person; and
(2) use the term “graduate engineer” on the person’s stationery or business cards or in personal communications of any character.
(b) A graduate engineer who is employed in a firm registered under this chapter and who is working under the direct supervision of a licensed professional engineer may use the term “engineer” on the person’s stationery or business cards or in personal communications of any character.
Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1421, § 1, eff. June 1, 2003.Amended 78th Leg, SB 277, eff. September 1, 2003."
Otherwise, if an unlicensed person wants to avoid the "potential" for a problem with the licensing board, it is recommended to use the words "associate" or "technician".