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From: "Robert I. Eachus" <eachus@mitre.org>
Subject: Re: Software Engineering in Florida
Date: 1999/11/09
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Richard Kenner wrote:
 
> Basically, it says you are not allowed to use the title of "registered
> engineer" unless you are certified.  It also says that you can't
> represent yourself as an "engineer" unless you are certified.  *But*
> the definition of "engineer" is precisely that in that section (which
> I agree does not include software engineering).
> 
> However what that means is not what you state.  Indeed, it's almost
> the exactly opposite.  It is certainly perfectly legal in Florida to
> call oneself a "software engineer".  Indeed, if software *were*
> included in 471.005(6), you could *not* do that without being a
> licensed "software engineer".

  Actually, I the more important argument goes to 471.003(2)(c):

> (2)  The following persons are not required to register under the provisions
> of ss. 471.001-471.037 as a registered engineer:... 
 
>  (c)  Regular full-time employees of a corporation not engaged in the
>  practice of engineering as such, whose practice of engineering for such
>  corporation is limited to the design or fabrication of manufactured products
>  and servicing of such products.

   This, or the equivalent laws in other states, have been the laws
cited when
lawsuits involving software and someone called a "software engineer"
were resolved.  This has been important.  Take for example, a liscensed
EE who writes software with a job title of Software Engineer.  Do the
laws on professional responsibility, and conversly limiting liability
apply?  No, because software engineering is currently not a field where
those laws apply.  We desparately need a category of safety-critical
software to be covered under such laws, if not that particular law.  The
title might even be "Safety Engineer" or "System Engineer", but the goal
is to get certain classes of products subject to both the portions of
the law which are proactive (i.e. those laws that try to prevent
dangerous products from existing) and well as the parts which protect
the designer if he complies with the proactive part of the law.

-- 

                                        Robert I. Eachus

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