OVERVIEW

Engineering is a profession that has a significant influence over society in just about every area of its citizens' lives. As is the case for all professions, engineering is controlled by statutes and regulations in every U.S. state and territory (jurisdiction).

U.S. jurisdictions have been delegated the power to protect the health, welfare, safety, and property of the public by the federal government. Under that power, known as police power, professionals are required to prove that they have met certain requirements as evidence that they have achieved at least the minimum accepted level of competence to serve the public. All U.S. jurisdictions will require an engineer to prove that he has met the educational, experience, and training levels specified by law and, after satisfying those criteria, that he can pass an examination to prove that the necessary knowledge has been imparted to the engineer.

Upon passing the examination, the candidate will be granted a license to practice as a professional engineer. Once that status is attained, certain privileges will accrue to the candidate along with certain obligations and duties. Licensure is discussed more thoroughly in Chapter 17, but it is essential to understand that only a licensed professional engineer can legally be in responsible charge of an engineering project or offer services directly to the public. Licensure imposes certain rigorous legal standards upon the licensee. There are, however, exemptions from the requirement for licensure for those who will

• work in industry and furnish engineering services only to their employers;