Replies

I will contend that such laws are misread by the rule making authority and I think that will be the argument in this suit. For example Florida Statute states
“No person other than a duly licensed engineer shall practice engineering or use the name or title of “licensed engineer,” “professional engineer,” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device tending to indicate that such person holds an active license as an engineer in this state.”

Now a board reading this may very well decide the part which they must enforce is “No person... shall use the name licensed engineer.. or any other title...” So even stating that you are an engineer from another state or country means you used that name and are in violation of the law. But that is not the part of the statute which is to be enforced. That part is modified by the clause “tending to indicate that such person holds an active license as an engineer in this state.” That is the concern of the state, that a person does not misrepresent himself to the public as holding the necessary license to engage in the practice of engineering.

If such a person draws up a set of plans and provides load calculations and then says they will do in lieu of a sealed set when submitting them for approval because he worked as an engineer in Colorado that would be in violation of the statute. An ordinary person may assume that experience as an engineer in another state means he may practice engineering in Florida even without the proper license.

There is nothing that disallows one from stating their education, background, professional experience as an engineer when opining on matters related to the field of engineering in a specific locale. No ordinary person is going to assume that means you have a license to practice in that state especially if your statement is not connected with you performing any work of an engineer.

I tend to be very cautious about how these things apply in my state. I've personally been involved in situations where I have rendered an opinion as a citizen on a matter that involves engineering issues. When submitting written documentation on these matters as a private citizen, I typically include a disclaimer such as the following:

In the interest of full disclosure, I am a licensed professional engineer in [State]. None of the information I've provided here is intended to serve as a professional opinion or professional representation on behalf of a client.

The purpose of this disclaimer is to let the recipient know that I am licensed to practice in this particular state without exposing myself to potential professional liability issues. The intended effect is to have the recipient of the correspondence know that I have a lot more credibility than the average layperson in the matter at hand even if I'm not rendering professional judgment on anyone's behalf.

“No person other than a duly licensed engineer shall practice engineering or use the name or title of “licensed engineer,” “professional engineer,” or any other title, designation, words, letters, abbreviations, or device tending to indicate that such person holds an active license as an engineer in this state.”

“No person... shall use the name licensed engineer.. or any other title...”

Where was he claiming to be a licensed engineer or a professional engineer?

Those are both radically different than saying I'm an engineer or I have a degree in engineering or even claiming a background or training/education in engineering.