Job Title ? 1

[handler1981]

Hi All,

I work in HVAC consulting with a bit under 4 years of relevant experience. I've completed a BSME and recently obtained my PE license in California. Does that make me an Engineer? My job title is HVAC Designer and my employer insist I stay with it. Correct me if I'm wrong but I've thought Designer is someone who does not have an engineering degree and Engineer is someone who does regardless of experience?

I appreciate any input. Thank you.

-Jordan

 

[willard3]

If you have passed the Engineer's test (PE certification), you are an Engineer.....if not, you are something beside an Engineer.

State law will lay you low if you claim to be an Engineer but are not a PE.

 

[VerneE]

Anyone can be called an engineer. However, you cannot provide engineering services to the public unless you are a Registered Professional Engineer. Same with stamping drawings for building permits.

Most states have the industrial excemption, but some will not allow someone to call himself a corrosion engineer regardless of how many degrees he/she has unless that person is registered.

However, California has a special situation. Only Civil engineers can stamp the drawings for a building permit, that includes the mechanical, electrical & plumbing parts (MEP). MEP engineers can show their areas of expertise by being a registered ME or EE. There is a different situation for fire protection system design - certified engineeering technicians are allowed to stamp the FP sprinkler drawings. Usually regardless of what the stamped enginneeing drawing says, the plumbing is installed by a non-engineer, but a licensed plumber and he gets the final say on design and installation of the plumbing systems (subject to the plumbing inspector).

Check with your local Society of Professional Engineers to find out how it is set up in your state, since different states have different requirements and what cetrified engineers can do (i.e. structural).

 

[flukeynub]

I went ahead and reviewed the Oregon Statutes and got the impression you had to be licensed. So I asked my licensing board and they replied with the relavent section of the law and stated:

"Therefore, the use of the title Facilities Engineer is defined as an act constituting the professional practice of engineering. However, his is not professionally registered as such. ORS 672.045(1) prohibits the unlicensed use of the “engineer” title."

Based on this I changed my letterheads, business cards, etc to simply have my name and department in them. Somewhat disappointing, but the licensing board has spoken .