Sprintgeezer wrote:
Although the PE is not the be-all and end-all, IMO it does legitimately (if only de minimis) protect public health and safety when applied to disciplines like structural, and is thus more than just an arbitrary "restraint of trade".
And you are correct about the relative "globality" of engineering. In certain engineering disciplines, it has been a world market for a very long time.
Don't get me wrong-- I completely agree that there are factors that weigh in favor of licensing not only professional engineers but doctors, plumbers, electricians, etc. In any field where incompetence leads to a corpse, some level of licensing is likely appropriate. Money can't make the injured party whole.
Same thing with the legal system-- since it is so unforgiving to the parties based on their choice of attorney.
However, when you start getting into things like hairdressing, licensing is a pure restraint in trade.
It is very interesting that hairdressing is a licensed profession in many states but engineering isn't. Either engineers have the worst lobbiests in the world or engineering is so important to the health of the economy that we-- as a society-- can't afford the cost of excluding talent.
Imagine telling Werner von Braun that he has to take a licensing exam...