due to the climb, only to eventually and
licensing before California’s
very gradually widen again just enough
Little Hoover Commission,
that one could walk normally on slopes
a nationally recognized
that undulated between gradual and steep. Today, many involved in the engineering profession believe that in order to
from the University of
continue to protect the safety and welfare
Minnesota, testified that
of the public, more education is necessary,
the hiring of those in a
like it was during the 1960s–1970s
licensed occupation is
(when the path was at its broadest point).
becoming out of reach
And those involved in the land surveying
for the normal working
profession witnessed land surveying
class individual and
programs at universities being reduced
recommended that
or eliminated during the last couple
regulatory licensing should
of decades (when the path was at its
be discontinued only to
narrowest and steepest) primarily due
be replaced with national
to lack of funding.
certifications as that
However, not all believe that more
+
expert on the subject, an economics professor
The majority of licensing boards regulate entry into the profession by requiring a combination of a bachelor’s degree and four years of practical experience as the minimum baseline.
process would better serve
education is necessary. Licensing boards
the national population
and professional societies across the
across all income levels regardless of
only require practical experience as the
country are continuing to face legislators
where people live. It was further stated
minimum baseline, the requirements
that do not want to increase the hurdles to
that continuing education previously
allow education to count as equivalent to
licensure and appear to give the impres-
established for these occupations failed to
work experience recognizing individuals
sion that they are further restricting career
adequately protect the consumer, and only
that have obtained a higher education in
paths for the new generations moving into
served to support the outdated idealism
engineering or land surveying. All of this
the work force. Almost two years ago,
inherent within the professional societies.
is further evidence to different and valid
representatives of the National Council
Back to the original questions, how
on Examiners for Engineering and
much education and experience is enough
points of view. What is clear is that a determination
Surveying (NCEES), voted to withdraw
to become licensed and what balance is
that can stand the foreseeable test of time
a minimum requirement for a masters
required to protect the public? It depends
has not been made and that the needs of
degree in engineering in its model law
on who is asked and whose point of view
several groups will need to be sufficiently
and re-publicize that as a recommendation
is most important in the overall scheme.
to be considered by licensing boards in
The majority of licensing boards regulate
considered before it is implemented. It is not always about what the licensing
the form of a position statement. Why
entry into the profession by requiring a
profession believes is protecting the
was this action taken? Not because the
combination of a bachelor’s degree and
public, but whether the public believes
Council believed that education was
four years of practical experience as the minimum baseline. Some extend
they are protected by the actions of
less important, but because there are significant numbers that believe the
from that baseline, recognizing that the
Otherwise, engineers and land surveyors
question on how much has not been
traditional route is not the sole manner
are destined to continue to walk that
adequately determined.
in which to “walk the path” and allow for
ever-changing path to licensure.
Surprisingly, some believe that the
the licensed professional that counts.
a “tiered approach” (i.e., a combination
idea of licensing has even run its course.
of less education and more practical
Recently, at a hearing on occupational
experience). Even for those boards that
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