[leipert]

In a lot of countries “Engineer” is a protected title. (Same in Germany where “Ingenieur” is protected). The term is usually used for mechanical engineers, and the like. Jobs you can only do with a degree, because if you fail, lives could be at stake.

We actually had a Canadian colleague request to change the job title in the employment from Software Engineer to Software Developer due to these restrictions.

[airhead969]

That's asinine when there is no associated professional licensure requirement for cobbling together HTML for a mom&pop liquor store.

In the US, any type of (non-locomotive) engineer involved in critical engineering design, decisions, implementation, and manufacturing of large-scale or life-safety aspects can or should be a "professional engineer" (PE) so malpractice insurance (EPLI) will cover them and client/employers will hire them.

If I say I'm a witch doctor, there is no confusion that I'm not a doctor (of medicine).

My undergrad major was Computer Science & Engineering. Do I need an extra certificate to call myself "an engineer?" Nope.

[leipert]

The liquor store wouldn’t be at the top of my list for licensure requirements for software engineers.

But what about power plants, cars, trains, aviation, etc. Especially car entertainment systems have been glaring security problems.