Yep...you need to have a license to practice engineering, same as law, accounting, medicine. Most of the time the state boards for engineering do nothing. Since they almost never do their job, and basically never have, folks are surprised when they hear about engineering licensing.
Does it mean you know everything? No. An engineer is not supposed to practice outside of their experience and expertise.
It’s the way it is, for better or worse. My biggest beef with it is not the licensing practice itself - it’s easy, but the fact that you have to go through it in every state you wish to practice.
Theoretically, a Mexican Engineer can practice in every state in the US - because they have reciprocity by federal treaty under NAFTA, but an American has to jump through far more hoops.
Sounds like the State Engineer is using his position/connections in government to harass a guy who made him look bad. If the work was engineering-level and good, the State Engineer should have offered to stamp it and pass it on for consideration. That’s what any reasonable person would have done with a concerned citizen who knew what they were doing. Problem solved.
“If the work was engineering-level and good, the State Engineer should have offered to stamp it and pass it on for consideration. That’s what any reasonable person would have done with a concerned citizen who knew what they were doing. Problem solved.”
I have incorporated numerous suggestions from designers, plant operators, and constructive crafts. Not blindly of course, each is evaluated for merit. There is nothing wrong with that. Yet there are those with professional licenses who look down at anyone working for them, or even clients, with disdain. It’s a really good way to lose clients, and I have seen it happen.