Would required licensure be better for US engineers? 15

[Haf]

I have heard the argument that if all engineers were required to get a PE (or comparable professional licensure), the profession would be better off. I am interested to hear from engineers in countries where licensure is required (Canada, Europe, Australia, and others) to get some insight into this question. Ideally, I’d like to hear from people who have practiced engineering in a country that requires licensure and the US (which does not).

Frankly, I’ve seen the US slammed in several posts for not requiring licensure. I’m curious to know how much better things are for engineers in countries that require licensure. I’m also curious to know how much better public safety is in countries that require licensure.

Haf

 

[CRG]

QCE,

Many states require continuing education credits for many types of occupational licensing. My state does not require them for PEs. The whole issue of continuing education credits required for occupational licensing is a mockery in some instances. Some professions have sprouted cottage industries where exotic destinations coupled with continuing education result in tax exempt vacations. The education is minimal because the companies are in fact selling tax exempt vacations guised to look like continuing education.

Why not use a test that reflects the minimum knowledge required for a profession, and ensure that existing professionals have those skills along with the first time applicants. I have no problems taking the PE exam every two years to continue to work in my profession; however, I think many holders of professional licenses would have a problem with continued testing. Why would they have a problem with it? The answer is obvious in my mind. The examinations required for occupational licensing are claimed to be in the interest of protecting the public. I don’t think that this is entirely true. However, if the existing licensees cannot easily pass the exam, could they be a hazard to public safety? Is this testing process really about public safety?

So to answer the question “Would required licensure be better for US engineers?”
Yes, if the process were to include ongoing testing of existing professionals. And by testing existing professionals, the testing boards would have greater input when designing a relevant test.

 

[sirmick]

I don't think licensing should be mandated for several reasons.

1. It would stifle innovation.

Actually, that's my only reason. Plus, since engineering is infinitely varied how do you determine what is vital for competence? Is it a certain level of math ability? The ability to read industrial codes? A degree?

That is why there is an industrial exemption. It allows anyone to manufacture and design whatever they wish. To sell the item it may require or be helpful to have agency approval such as FDA or UL but you don't need a PE stamp to design a new light bulb.

On a seperate topic, if people want to see more engineers get a PE, drop the PE references from the requirements.

 

[jsummerfield]

Texas added continuing education requirements. Please post details on those exotic continuing education trips. For part of the training I may attend seminars at trade shows. I may take some formal university credit but more likely in management rather than technical topics.

John

 

[ChrisConley]

I'm jumping in late, and don't have anything to add to the discussion except to make a comment about an earlier post. BigH stated:

- Canada Passport applications overseas will not allow a
professional engineer sign as a guarantor - but they
will allow a banker or a mayor of a town. We don't
really get the public respect because we do not really
demand it, in my view.

While it may be arguable that engineers don't get enough respect, in fact a P.Eng can sign as guarantor for a passport application, I know first hand because after university my wife and I went to travel Europe for a few months and the only person I knew well enough to ask to sign my passport application that was qualified was one of my professors that was a P.Eng.

On that note, this is for the Canadian engineers, and anyone else that wants to sound off. Most of my professors teaching at my university were not P.Eng's (a few were) my professional association brings up the debate that teaching engineering falls under the definition of practicing engineering under most Engineering Acts in Canada. Should we be requiring our professors to register as P.Eng's? If not...why not?