[paulddraper]

Neither are other engineers (in the US).

There are certifications (e.g. PE) but you can get a job with or without them.

[intrasight]

Not so. If you are not a licensed Professional Engineer, there are jobs you can't get. And that's what I mean by "licensed".

[TheCoelacanth]

There are jobs you can't get, but there are also plenty of other engineering jobs that you can get.

[paulddraper]

Exactly. As opposed so say, an nurse, lawyer, or electrician.

If you don't have the right piece of paper, you can't be one of those.