Can I use my Belgian title... 1

[Pipeline1972]

Hello all,
I'm an Industrial Engineer from Belgium, recently moved to the Bay Area.
I understand that one has to pass two exams, in order to be a licensed engineer here. I am preparing for the FE exam in October, but I was wondering about my title. If I mention that it's a Belgian (European) degree, can I use it, for information purposes? Can I write it on my business card? For the purpose of "selling" myself to future employers.
It's not a big deal anyway, I'm not a fan of titles anyway, but I was wondering..

Draftsman - Designer Industrial Piping

 

[IRstuff]

Unless you are actually working under the industrial exemption, I would avoid using that title.

TTFN

 

[greenone]

Here's a section from CA code-you may want to read all of it to see where you fit in.

6704. Defines who may use engineer titles
In order to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare, no person shall practice civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering unless appropriately registered or specifically exempted from registration under this chapter, and only persons registered under this chapter shall be entitled to take and use the titles “consulting engineer,” “professional engineer,” or “registered engineer,” or any combination of those titles, and according to registration with the board the engineering branch titles specified in Section 6732, or the authority titles specified in Sections 6736 and 6736.1, or “engineer-in-training.”
The provisions of this act pertaining to registration of professional engineers other than civil engineers, do not apply to employees in the communication industry; nor to the employees of contractors while engaged in work on communication equipment; however, those employees may not use any of the titles listed in Section 6732 unless registered.
The provisions of this section shall not prevent the use of the title “consulting engineer” by a person who has qualified for and maintained exemption for using that title under the provisions of Section 6732.1, or by a person licensed as a photogrammetric surveyor.

http://www.dca.ca.gov/pels/2006_pe_act.pdf

 

[HgTX]

There's no rule against listing your degrees, as long as they don't happen to have the exact same name as one of the restricted titles listed above.

Hg, P.E., B.S., M.S., but not M.Eng. or Ph.D.

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[Pipeline1972]

Ok, thanks for your input.
I won't use it, but I will mention my degree when I'm asked.
Actually, it's better this way, because I found out that the "American" Ind.Eng. is quite different than the "European" Ind. Eng., so I don't wanna fool anybody..

Draftsman - Designer Industrial Piping

 

[corus]

You would not have Ind. Eng after your name unless you were recognised as such. In the UK the common form of recognition is C.Eng for chartered status or, for instance, MIME, for Member Institute of Mechanical Engineers. In europe you may be a Eur. Ing, which is equivalent to the UK chartered status. It is common for people in the UK or europe in general to include these initials after their names. If you have a degree you may also include those initials after your name, such as BSc, or whatever it is in Belgium.
I don't see why you should not include these types of initials after your name as you are entitled to do so. The 'american' Ind.Eng maybe different but then you're not american. Nobody will be fooled as no doubt your accent may well give you away, unless of course you start talking like 'hey dude, give me cinq'.

corus

 

[DRC1]

I agree with corus. You can certinaly refer to yourself as an engineer, especially to proseptive employers. What you can not do is solicit engineering business or certify a design as an engineer unless you are registered.

 

[Pipeline1972]

Thank you all for your "valuable posts"! ;-)

For your information, the initials for Ind. Eng. in Belgium: ing.
Since recently, we can use the title "Master". (4 years curriculum)

Draftsman - Designer Industrial Piping

 

[corus]

Master is generally used only as a title for children in the UK but not as some recognition of qualifications. At some time after puberty you get promoted to Mister, although there's no pay-rise.
For some reason the proper use of Master to denote a post graduate qualification is never used, whereas the title of Doctor is gleefully adopted by those who get a PhD, even though a doctorate in engineering (for example) has nothing to do with philosophy or curing acne.


corus

 

[EddyC]

Pipeline,

I think that you should refer to yourself in a manner consistent with USA custom. About a year ago on another forum there was an engineer from a Scandinavian country who refered to himself as a "Civil" Engineer. After he descibed his educational/work background, he was an Electrical Engineer as we define it in the USA. You don't want to confuse a prospective employer.