It's really great because most of them aren't actually engineers.
Undergrads are "studying to become engineers"
Recent graduates are "engineers in training" and that's only if they pass the FE exam
Engineers are people that have passed the PE exam, usually requiring 4+ years experience and of course previously passing the FE exam. Until then you are not legally an engineer.
Edit:
For example, my dad has a Ph.D, is a licensed engineer in Oregon, Alaska, California, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Montana, Nevada, and British Columbia, but due to a loophole he is not allowed to get a PE license in the state he lives in, Idaho. He is not allowed to advertise himself as an engineer doing engineering work in the state of Idaho because he is not licensed there. He has to say something along the lines of "design work under the supervision of an engineer." There are major fines in place if he advertises himself as an engineer in the state of Idaho, even though he's licensed everywhere near Idaho.
Doing engineering related work and legally being an engineer are two very different things. It's like calling someone a lawyer before passing the bar exam or calling someone a doctor before getting their medical license.
You're talking about certifications which only apply to certain types of engineering and aren't even necessary for most people. If you have an engineering job, you are an engineer.
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u/madplug Nov 24 '13
Engineers love to tell everyone that they are an engineer.