The importance of obtaining a professional engineer's license was discussed in an August 2004 article in Mining Engineering. In recent years, the terms profession and professional have become widely misunderstood and used rather loosely. These terms carry a certain amount of exclusivity that most cherish and would like to claim for themselves. An effective way to fight this encroachment is to obtain the title of professional engineer for oneself and to vigorously guard against any effort to dilute the high value of professional recognition. Professional registration does not connote excellence or outstanding capabilities and is not required for all engineering jobs in an organization. However, it recognizes competency and credibility in the work performed by the registered engineer and his or her dedication to the highest ethical standards. While the licensing of engineers in the United States began in 1907, many engineers do not become licensed to practice the profession. And, sadly, some have even tolerated the efforts of others to redefine the precise meanings of these terms.
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