[ghaff]

>but in other parts of the world you can't call yourself an Engineer unless you are a P.E.

I've been told the same is true in some US states--or, at least, the licensing boards would like people to believe it is. (e.g. Texas) But, in my experience, hardly anyone pays any attention.

You do need a P.E. for certain things--mostly when dealing with regulators, etc.--but my understanding that in software specifically, the exam has been discontinued because essentially no on e was taking it.