The whole issue of licensing concerns me. Licensing is supposed to ensure that qualified persons perform the work, but I see most people using licensing to ensure their own employment. Licensing is supposed to protect John Q. Public, who knows nothing about the person he is hiring, from substandard or faulty work. Licensing has nothing to do with the abilities of the individual beyond having passed the examination. I know licensed electricians who I would not trust with wiring an outlet without supervision. They were able to learn enough to pass the test, but still don't understand the nature of the work that they are doing. I am a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois and have been one since 1980. I was not a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers until this year, when the state imposed new continuing education requirements that practically required membership in the society. I still don't like it. I am required to be a PE in order to sign off on certain documents, but I work in industry and most of the PEs represented by the NSPE are consultants. There is a difference and sometimes it's interesting to see what the consultants don't know, because of their lack of experience in our world. Experience, ability and knowledge of the subject at hand are what matter.
Bill
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