North Carolina Tells Retired Engineer He Can't Talk About Engineering

[aociswundumho]

North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering - Institute for Justice

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Wayne Nutt is an engineer. He graduated with a degree in engineering and worked most of his career in North Carolina without ever needing […]

ij.org

But now, the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors is telling Wayne that speaking publicly about engineering without a state license could lead to criminal charges.

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

 

[Mr Person]

Not allowed to "talk about engineering"? Laughable title.

What is actually going on?

 

[KevinKohler]

He wanted to testify in court as an expert witness, however, he is not, nor ever has been, a licensed engineer in the state of NC.

This case isn't about him having an engineering conversation with his buddies at a bar. Its about his ekegability to be called on as an expert witness in a major property damage case.

Everything else is hyperbole.

 

[DataPoint]

It's about his lack of qualifications that disqualify him from being an expert witness

 

[swing_voter]

True story.

In Los Angeles there's a famous street called Mulholland Drive.

Mulholland was a famous engineer, not even school trained nor licensed, who brought water to Los Angeles back in the 1920s.

He built this dam 500 miles away and had an aqueduct that brought water all the way to LA.


The dam broke. The flood killed thousands of people.

California passed a law that said engineers had to be licensed to practice engineering.



Mulholland admitted it was his mistake. That was back before lawyers told everyone to keep their mouths shut and not admit blame.


.

 

[Port & Starboard]

North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering - Institute for Justice

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Wayne Nutt is an engineer. He graduated with a degree in engineering and worked most of his career in North Carolina without ever needing […]

ij.org

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

State licensing is a necessary function to reduce the amount of "jack legs" hurting and ripping people off.

 

[ecofarm]

If someone is retired from engineering, they probably spent their last 20 years nursing an obsolete system. Nothing against them, that's just how it works. That guy hasn't seen anything new in engineering in decades.

 

[Deuce]

Not allowed to "talk about engineering"? Laughable title.

What is actually going on?

The actual case is about testifying in a court of law as an expert witness.

 

[Deuce]

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

Yeah we should abolish state governments.

 

[Demon]

Next thing you know, pilots will need to be licensed. And doctors. When will the madness end?

 

[Cameron]

North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering - Institute for Justice

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Wayne Nutt is an engineer. He graduated with a degree in engineering and worked most of his career in North Carolina without ever needing […]

ij.org

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

Yeah, it's totally "absurd" that the State makes sure the people who seek to design bridges and mass transit and buildings and sewer systems (etc.) demonstrate a base level of qualification before being permitted to solicit business.

Next time you want to buy a car, make sure you by one that was designed and manufactured all by unlicensed entities, just to make sure you put your money where your mouth is.

 

[KevinKohler]

Yeah, it's totally "absurd" that the State makes sure the people who seek to design bridges and mass transit and buildings and sewer systems (etc.) demonstrate a base level of qualification before being permitted to solicit business.

Next time you want to buy a car, make sure you by one that was designed and manufactured all by unlicensed entities, just to make sure you put your money where your mouth is.

In other words...buy an early 90s Tuscon.

And maybe invest in your life insurance policy. For the kids.

 

[ALiberalModerate]

He wanted to testify in court as an expert witness, however, he is not, nor ever has been, a licensed engineer in the state of NC.

This case isn't about him having an engineering conversation with his buddies at a bar. Its about his ekegability to be called on as an expert witness in a major property damage case.

Everything else is hyperbole.

I think it's also worth pointing out that working as an expert witness is usually extraordinarily lucrative.

 

[reflechissez]

splat

 

[justabubba]

North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering - Institute for Justice

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Wayne Nutt is an engineer. He graduated with a degree in engineering and worked most of his career in North Carolina without ever needing […]

ij.org

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

if he is not licensed as a Professional Engineer, having met the education, testing, and work experience requirements, then he should not hold his opinions out as those of an engineer

would not want someone who is into natural medicine dispensing medical advice as if they are a licensed medical professional who has met the requirements to qualify for a state medical license

 

[VanceMack]

Yeah, it's totally "absurd" that the State makes sure the people who seek to design bridges and mass transit and buildings and sewer systems (etc.) demonstrate a base level of qualification before being permitted to solicit business.

Next time you want to buy a car, make sure you by one that was designed and manufactured all by unlicensed entities, just to make sure you put your money where your mouth is.

You didnt read the story and have no idea what you are commenting on...right?

 

[VanceMack]

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

 

[DataPoint]

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

That is not the issue. It is qualifying an Expert Witness, and under the state law, guess what: no go.

 

[justabubba]

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

call him whatever you want unofficially, but unless he is a registered professional engineer in current standing, officially, he cannot hold himself out as an engineer

 

[VanceMack]

That is not the issue. It is qualifying an Expert Witness, and under the state law, guess what: no go.

That is not the issue. It is qualifying an Expert Witness, and under the state law, guess what: no go.

There is nothing in this case that shows he has claimed he is a licensed engineer, nor is there anything in the statute that prevents him from offering an opinion as an expert witness. He is not seeking employment as a licensed engineer, he is not providing a service as a licensed engineer. He is testifying as a subject matter expert. His career as an engineer is covered also in the statutes and specifically states he doesnt require licensure as long as he is employed by a company that is licensed with proper supervision.

 

[VanceMack]

call him whatever you want unofficially, but unless he is a registered professional engineer in current standing, officially, he cannot hold himself out as an engineer

He isnt holding himself out as licensed engineer...and he absolutely can and did work a full career legally AS an engineer, working for a company with proper license and supervision as allowed in 89C-25

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C. Engineering and Land Surveying § 89C-25 | FindLaw

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 89C. Engineering and Land Surveying Section 89C-25. Read the code on FindLaw

codes.findlaw.com

 

[Airyaman]

North Carolina Board Tells Retired Engineer He Can’t Talk About Engineering - Institute for Justice

WILMINGTON, N.C.—Wayne Nutt is an engineer. He graduated with a degree in engineering and worked most of his career in North Carolina without ever needing […]

ij.org

Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd.

Um... the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying is not a government entity.

 

[calamity]

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

If that’s the case, then he should have no problem passing the test to qualify for said license.

 

[KevinKohler]

The State did not require him to be licensed as an engineer. The story quite clearly states he has the education and work experience to testify. The state isnt attacking him becase of his ability...they are trying to muzzle him and they are using licensure as their excuse.

Again...if you read the story you will learn that the state had NO PROBLEM with him working an entire career as an engineer without a license.

In the private sector. For a private company. Doing things that don't affect large portions of "the public".

And now he's trying to make the leap from private to public after retirement.

 

[Cameron]

You didnt read the story and have no idea what you are commenting on...right?

I read the article but I respond (and quoted) directly this OP: "Occupational licensing in general is just downright awful. The whole idea of needing permission from some rotten government in order to work in your chosen field is absurd."

I didn't misrepresent anything about the article. If the OP did not read the article or created a thread that you don't like go bug him; I'll respond to what people post just like everybody else, thanks.